Global Youth Changemaker Awards
A Dubai-headquartered global recognition platform
YES Awards is a Dubai-headquartered global recognition platform celebrating high-school students whose sustained service, leadership and ideas create measurable community impact.
A global mission
YES Awards celebrates high-school students whose sustained service, leadership and ideas create measurable community impact — wherever they are in the world.
Dubai headquarters
YES Awards is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with a global outlook that welcomes participation from schools and communities worldwide.
Consistent assessment
Every nomination is evaluated against the same transparent criteria, ensuring fair and comparable assessment across all countries and regions.
Safeguarding first
All profiles, evidence and media are published only with verified consent, with safeguarding protections applied consistently for every participant.
International eligibility
Open to the world, cycle by cycle
YES Awards recognises high-school changemakers wherever they create impact. International eligibility details — including eligible countries and regions — are confirmed and published for each award cycle. We only state participation that has been verified, so this page is updated as each cycle’s international rules are confirmed.
International eligibility details will be published for each award cycle.
Eligible countries, regions and participation requirements are confirmed per edition. Check the Awards page for the current cycle.
For international schools
How international schools can participate
Schools play a vital role in identifying and supporting young changemakers. International schools follow the same transparent nomination process as all participating institutions.
Confirm eligibility
Review the published eligibility rules for the current award cycle before starting a nomination.
Gather evidence
Collect evidence of sustained community impact — project reports, impact data, references and media.
Submit online
Complete the nomination through the secure online portal. International schools follow the same process as all participants.
Assessment consistency
The same standard, everywhere
Every nomination — from any country — is assessed against the same published criteria by an independent jury. This ensures fair, comparable evaluation of community impact, leadership and evidence quality across all regions.
Read about the award and judgingSafeguarding & consent
Protecting every young participant
All awardee profiles, photographs, videos and evidence are published only with verified consent. Safeguarding protections apply consistently for every participant, regardless of country, with particular care for minors.
Read our safeguarding policyCeremony participation
A global celebration
Each award cycle culminates in a ceremony that celebrates recognised changemakers. Ceremony participation details — including format and location — are published for each edition as they are confirmed.
Global participation