Organised by the Commonwealth Youth Programme, the Commonwealth Youth Awards Ceremony was held on March 16th. The Commonwealth Youth Awards recognise outstanding Commonwealth young people, aged 15-29, whose projects are transforming lives in their communities; providing practical solutions to complex problems and helping to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals and 2030 Agenda.
More than 1000 entries were received this year – the highest ever recorded. The finalists were selected across each of the award’s regional categories (Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe & Canada, and the Pacific) following a rigorous judging process.
The awards recognise extraordinary young Commonwealth citizens whose projects are transforming lives in their communities and helping to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
One Young World is pleased to announce that 2 OYW Ambassadors were selected as the 2022 Commonwealth Youth Award winners: Franc Kamugyisha and Jemima Lovatt.
Franc Kamugyisha, Uganda
Founder of EcoPlastile
Franc is the founder of ‘EcoPlastile’, an organisation which recycles consumer plastic and glass waste into long-lasting plastic timbers, roofing tiles and biodegradable facemasks and shields. The organisation has created over 180 jobs paying 1.9 times the national wage, recycled 360 tonnes of plastic and runs a microinsurance programme whereby over 100 uninsured households can use plastic waste as a financial resource for medical services.
Franc was named the Regional Winner for Africa with a focus on SDG 13 – Climate Action, and was additionally named the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year.
Jemima Lovatt, United Kingdom
Founder of Thrive Future
Jemima is the founder of ‘Thrive Future’, an initiative which partners with businesses to address taboo gender inequality topics such as domestic abuse, sexual harassment and unequal pay. Thrive Future has trained over 1200 delegates and launched a digital gender equality platform featuring specialist expertise, thought leadership, awareness, and training videos.
Jemima was named the Regional Winner for Europe and Canada, with a focus on SDG 5 - Gender Equality.
One Young World Ambassador Sylivia Kyomuhendo was also named as a Regional Finalist for Africa, due to her work as the founder and director of the ‘Infants Health Foundation’, focusing on SDG3 - Good Health and Wellbeing.
All 20 finalists received a trophy, certificate and £1,000 to expand the impact of their projects. Each regional winner received £3,000 and the overall pan-Commonwealth winner took home a total of £5,000.
You can watch the whole Awards Ceremony below: