Commonwealth Youth Council One Country One Project 2026: Recognition and Funding Opportunities for Youth-Led Community Projects
Introduction
The Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) One Country, One Project 2026 is inviting youth-led organisations across Commonwealth member states to register community projects that address real challenges and create measurable impact.
The initiative gives youth organisations an opportunity to showcase practical solutions in their communities. Outstanding projects can receive national recognition and be considered for the Commonwealth Best Project Award 2026, which will be presented during CHOGM Week in Antigua and Barbuda in November 2026.
Important: This is not a conventional grant or scholarship programme. Registration or selection does not guarantee financial support. However, the Commonwealth Youth Council may provide catalytic support or mobilise financial and technical assistance for selected projects if resources become available through partners or sponsors.
Benefits
Participating organisations can benefit from:
- National recognition as the One Country, One Project 2026 Awardee, where the required standard is met.
- Consideration for the Commonwealth Best Project Award 2026.
- Opportunity to showcase an impactful youth-led project to a Commonwealth-wide audience.
- Inclusion in the inaugural One Country, One Project Cohort.
- Opportunity to demonstrate practical youth leadership and community impact.
- Potential access to catalytic support from the Commonwealth Youth Council where resources become available.
- Potential access to financial and technical assistance mobilised through partners or sponsors.
- Opportunity to have an outstanding project recognised during CHOGM Week in Antigua and Barbuda in November 2026.
- Opportunity to demonstrate how youth-led solutions can inspire action across the Commonwealth.
The initiative is designed around practical action rather than simply submitting an idea. Organisations are expected to implement their registered project within the specified implementation period and report the results achieved.
Eligibility
The One Country, One Project initiative is open to eligible youth-led organisations across Commonwealth member states.
Eligible organisation types include:
- National Youth Councils
- Youth-led Organisations
- Youth Networks and Associations
- Student Organisations
- Community-Based Youth Organisations
- Youth Social Enterprises
Each organisation can register one project.
Eligible Project Areas
Projects can address a wide range of community challenges, including:
- Climate Action
- Education and Skills
- Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship
- Technology and AI
- Health and Well-being
- Peacebuilding
- Civic Participation
- Gender and Inclusion
- Arts, Culture and Sports
- Community Development and Volunteerism
The project does not have to be large. The CYC is looking for meaningful youth-led action that creates measurable community impact.
Projects may take the form of:
- Events
- Campaigns
- Training programmes
- Community activities
- Other interventions
However, the project should address a clear community need and demonstrate tangible results.
How Projects Will Be Assessed
Projects will ultimately be assessed based on:
- Impact
- Youth Leadership
- Innovation
- Relevance
- Inclusion
- Quality of Implementation
- Sustainability
- Potential for Scale
Deadline
The deadline to register a project is 22 August 2026
The project implementation period is:
12 August – 20 September 2026
The programme is open across Commonwealth member states.
Organisations do not need to wait for selection before starting their project. Projects should be implemented within the stated implementation period.
How to Apply
Eligible youth-led organisations should register their project through the Commonwealth Youth Council’s official One Country, One Project platform.
The process is:
- Identify a community project being implemented by your youth-led organisation.
- Ensure the project addresses a clear community need.
- Confirm that your organisation falls within one of the eligible organisation categories.
- Register one project through the official platform.
- Implement the project between 12 August and 20 September 2026.
- You do not need to wait for selection before starting implementation.
- After implementation, submit a Project Completion Report explaining what was done, who was reached and the impact achieved.
- Outstanding completed projects will be shortlisted and assessed at the country level.
- One outstanding project from each participating Commonwealth country, where the required standard is met, will be recognised as its One Country, One Project 2026 Awardee.
- National awardees will then be considered for the Commonwealth Best Project Award 2026.
The Commonwealth Best Project Award recognises an exceptional youth-led initiative demonstrating significant local impact and the potential to inspire action across the Commonwealth. The award will be presented during CHOGM Week in Antigua and Barbuda in November 2026.
Scholarships Expiring Soon
Conclusion
If your youth-led organisation is already implementing a meaningful community project, the One Country, One Project initiative provides an opportunity to showcase the work, gain recognition and potentially access additional support.
Application Link
Register your project through the official Commonwealth Youth Council platform:
Deadline: 22 August 2026
Implementation period: 12 August – 20 September 2026
Eligibility: Youth-led organisations across Commonwealth member states
Number of projects per organisation: One
Important: This is a recognition and partnership initiative, not a grant programme. Registration or selection does not guarantee financial support, although the CYC may provide catalytic support or mobilise financial and technical assistance when resources become available through partners or sponsors.
