Global Citizen has announced the recipients of its 2026 Global Citizen Prize and Cisco Youth Leadership Award, with the honorees set to be recognized during Global Citizen NOW in New York City on May 14.
The annual awards celebrate young leaders from around the world whose work is contributing to the fight against extreme poverty through innovation, advocacy, and sustainable development initiatives.
This year’s Global Citizen Prize recipients are Anoushka Sinha of India, recognized for advancing gender equality in education; Dysmus Kisilu of Kenya, founder of Solar Freeze, which supports farmers through solar-powered cold storage solutions; Krystal Mwesiga Birungi of Uganda, whose work focuses on malaria research and equitable healthcare; and Tawonga Nyirenda of Malawi, founder of Seedbiz, which promotes resilient food systems and organic waste management.
Each recipient will receive a $10,000 award, along with year-long support from Global Citizen.
According to Global Citizen President Liza Henshaw, the awardees represent a new generation of changemakers driving progress in education, food security, energy, and global health.
“Young people are taking bold action to end extreme poverty in every corner of the world, and Global Citizen is proud to recognize the remarkable achievements of this year’s prize winners,” she said.
The 2026 Cisco Youth Leadership Award has been awarded to Slovakia’s Diana Virgovicova, founder of Xatoms, a water technology company that uses artificial intelligence and quantum chemistry to develop sunlight-activated materials capable of purifying contaminated water.
READ: African innovators dominate Global Citizen Prize 2026 winners
Her innovation addresses global water access challenges affecting more than two billion people worldwide, with pilot projects already launched in Canada, the United States, Kenya, and South Africa.
The Cisco Youth Leadership Award includes a $250,000 grant to support Xatoms’ continued expansion.
Cisco Executive Vice President Fran Katsoudas described Virgovicova’s work as a powerful example of how technology can drive sustainable global impact.
Global Citizen NOW 2026 will also feature an expanded lineup of global leaders, media personalities, business executives, and advocates, including Mika Brzezinski, Symone Sanders Townsend, Nate Burleson, Zain Asher, Sophia Bush, and Delta Air Lines President Peter Carter.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
