Young Women in Public Affairs Award

About the Award

The Young Women in Public Affairs Award (YWPA) was established in 2010 to recognize and empower women ages 1835 who demonstrate exceptional commitment to public service, policy analysis, advocacy, or community leadership. By highlighting their achievements, the award seeks to inspire a new generation of female voices in government, NGOs, thinktanks, and grassroots movements.

Each year a panel of senior policy experts, former legislators, and leaders from civilsociety organizations selects a handful of finalists from a global pool of applicants. The award not only celebrates personal accomplishment but also provides a platform for recipients to expand their impact through mentorship, networking, and professional development.

Eligibility & Selection Criteria

To be considered, candidates must meet the following basic requirements:

• Identify as a woman (including cisgender, transgender, and nonbinary individuals who primarily present as women).
• Be between 18 and 35 years of age at the time of application.
• Demonstrate at least two years of demonstrable experience in public affairs, policy research, advocacy, elected or appointed public office, or related community work.
• Hold citizenship or permanent residency in any country; the award is open to all nationalities.

The selection panel evaluates applicants based on four core criteria:

1. Impact: Tangible outcomes of the applicants worklegislation passed, campaigns won, communities served, etc.
2. Leadership: Ability to inspire, organize, and lead teams or movements.
3. Innovation: Creative approaches to solving publicpolicy challenges.
4. Future Potential: Evidence of a clear vision for continued contribution to the public sphere.

What Winners Receive

Application Process

The application cycle runs from January 1 to March 31 each year. Follow these steps to submit a complete application:

1. Register online: Create an account on the YWPA portal.
2. Complete the questionnaire: Provide personal details, a concise biography (max 300 words), and a description of your publicaffairs work (max 800 words).
3. Submit supporting documents: Include two letters of recommendation, a rsum/CV, and any relevant publications or media coverage.
4. Upload a short video: A 2minute video introducing yourself and explaining why you deserve the award.
5. Review & submit: Doublecheck all fields, then click Submit. You will receive a confirmation email with a reference number.

All submissions are reviewed by the independent judging committee. Shortlisted candidates are invited for a virtual interview in May. Winners are announced at the June Awards Gala.

Past Recipients

Since its inception, the YWPA has honored women who have made remarkable contributions across continents. Below are a few notable awardees:

• Aisha Patel (2014, India) Led a youthdriven campaign that resulted in the amendment of the National Education Act to include gendersensitive curricula.
• Maria Gonzlez (2017, Mexico) Founded Voces Verdes, an environmental justice NGO that secured cleanwater legislation for 12 rural municipalities.
• Leila Osei (2019, Ghana) Served as a parliamentary fellow, drafting a landmark bill on digital privacy that was passed unanimously.
• Emily Chen (2022, United States) Directed a bipartisan task force on affordable housing, delivering a policy framework adopted by three state governments.

These leaders exemplify the awards mission: to amplify voices that drive positive societal change.

Ready to Apply?

If you are a young woman dedicated to shaping public policy, we encourage you to submit your application. This is an opportunity to be recognized, to connect with mentors, and to expand the reach of your work.