Yi YOUNG CHANGEMAKER AWARDS 2026
Celebrating Young People, Creating Real Change.
Recognising exceptional school and college students who are turning ideas into action and creating meaningful impact across Kerala.
Nomination Deadline: 25 August 2026
An initiative of CII Young Indians (Yi) Kochi Chapter as part of Inspiration Summit Amplified 2026
THE AWARDS
Small Actions. Extraordinary Impact.
Across Kerala, young people are solving problems, mobilising communities and creating change—often without recognition.
The Yi Young Changemaker Awards 2026 celebrate students who have stepped forward, taken the lead and created measurable impact in their communities.
Schools and colleges are invited to nominate one inspiring student whose work deserves to be seen, celebrated and amplified.
8 Young Changemakers will be recognised at Inspiration Summit Amplified 2026.
WHY NOMINATE?
Give Their Impact the Stage It Deserves.
Statewide Recognition
Celebrate outstanding student leadership on a prestigious platform bringing together students, educators, policymakers and industry leaders.
Changemaker Honour
Selected changemakers receive a bespoke Yi Young Changemaker trophy and citation recognising their contribution.
Leadership Exposure
Give young changemakers an opportunity to share their work and inspire hundreds of other young leaders.
Mentorship & Connections
Selected changemakers gain access to mentorship opportunities through the CII Young Indians network.
WHO CAN BE NOMINATED?
Know Someone Creating Change?
Nominees must be:
A current student
Enrolled in a recognised school or college in Kerala.
A young changemaker
Someone who has led or spearheaded an initiative creating meaningful impact.
Recently active
The initiative should have been undertaken between August 2025 and August 2026.
Nominated by their institution
Nominations are invited from schools and colleges across Kerala.
IMPACT CATEGORIES
Seven Ways to Change the World
The initiative should create impact in one or more of these areas:
🌱 Climate Change & Sustainability
Waste management, renewable energy, reforestation and environmental action.
🚦 Road Safety & Civic Responsibility
Traffic awareness, road safety and accident prevention.
♿ Accessibility & Inclusion
Assistive technologies and initiatives improving accessibility for persons with disabilities.
❤️ Health, Mental Well-being & Hygiene
Community health, blood donation, mental well-being, hygiene and anti-drug initiatives.
💡 Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Technology-led solutions, micro-enterprises and sustainable social business models.
🤝 Youth Leadership & Community Empowerment
Peer tutoring, rural outreach, digital literacy and community development.
🌍 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Gender empowerment and initiatives supporting marginalised communities.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
Not Just an Idea. Impact.
We are looking for young people who have gone beyond identifying a problem and taken meaningful action to solve it.
Highlight the nominee's:
Initiative — What did they create or lead?
Impact — What changed because of their work?
Leadership — How did they mobilise or inspire others?
Innovation — What makes their approach different?
Potential — Can the impact continue or grow?
This section will help institutions understand that the award isn't simply for academic excellence or participation—it recognises demonstrated changemaking.
THE JOURNEY
From Nomination to Recognition
11:59 PM IST August 25, 2026
August 26 - 31, 2026
September 03, 2026
September 06, 2026
Nominations Close
Jury Shortlisting/ Evaluation of nominations
Eight Young Changemakers Announced
Grand Felicitation
Inspiration Summit Amplified 2026, Sacred Heart College, Kochi
Where Changemakers Get Amplified
Selected Yi Young Changemakers 2026 will be felicitated at the Grand Valedictory of Inspiration Summit Amplified 2026.
6 September 2026
Sacred Heart College, Kochi
A platform bringing together young leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and policymakers.
