London Youth Achievement Awards 2026

Criteria:

This award recognises an individual or group who has responded to a challenge in their community, with creative and innovative solutions. This could be in response to social, economic, health or other such issues faced by communities in London.

What We Look For:

• Action and Impact: the person/group didn't just notice the problem; they took action and made a real difference. How did their work helped improve life for people in their community?
• Innovation: They found a new or better way to tackle the challenge.

Individual or Group Award:

Group & Individual 

Criteria:

This award recognises any individual or group that has demonstrated efforts to creating a safer London for young people.

What We Look For:

• Action Taken: What practical actions did they take to improve safety for young people?

• Lasting Change: Their work will continue to keep young people safe in the future.     

Individual or Group Award:

Group & Individual

Criteria:

This award recognises an individual or group who has undertaken activities or projects which have contributed positively to improve London's environment.

What We Look For:

• Positive Environmental Impact: How did this person/group's work make a difference? For example: reducing waste, improving air quality, or protecting nature.
• Community Involvement: How did this action/project encourage others to care about and support the environmental?

Individual or Group Award:

Group & Individual

Criteria:

This award recognises any individual or group that has initiated or contributed to increasing diversity and inclusion in their community.

What We Look For:

• Positive Impact: This person/groups's actions or activities promoted diversity and inclusion in a particular area or field.

• Community Engagement: How did they work to mitigate access barriers and create fairer opportunities for all?  

Individual or Group Award:

Group & Individual

Criteria:

This award recognises any individual that has overcome hardship, challenges or adversity and has achieved exceptional outcomes. We particularly welcome submissions for Londoners with disabilities or special educational needs.

What We Look For:

• Exceptional Achievement: How have they reached a goal or achieved something outstanding? Examples of facing tough situations or adversity and kept going, despite the challenges.

• Personal Growth: They have developed new skills, confidence, or independence through their journey.

Individual or Group Award:

Individual

Criteria:

This award recognises any carer or care leaver who deserves special recognition for their achievements whilst carrying out their caring responsibilities.

What We Look For:

• Resilience: Despite the demands of caring for others, what did this person achieve?

• Inspiration: This person demonstrated determination and perseverance in the face of challenges. Their ability to balance caregiving with personal growth highlights their strength and dedication. 

Individual or Group Award:

Individual

Criteria:

This award recognises an individual who has shown great leadership within their community. This could be at school, at work, in their local community or at a youth club/centre etc.  

What We Look For:

• Responsibility: How did they take charge when it was needed or guided others through challenges? How did they encourage and motivate peers or take positive action?
• Positive Impact: The leadership made things better for their community or group. 

Individual or Group Award:

Individual

Criteria:

This award recognises an individual who has used the power of media (social media or traditional media) to engage young audiences positively.  

What We Look For:

• Engagement: They used media to inspire, educate, or support young audiences.

• Creativity: They found new and interesting ways to share messages that matter to young people.

• Impact: Their work has made a real difference in the lives of young people or their communities.

• Responsible Use: They used media in a safe, respectful, and empowering way. 

Individual or Group Award:

Individual

Criteria:

This award recognises any individual or group that has contributed to youth led activism, engagement and democratic representation for young people in London. This could be for any youth led activity or campaign, that has positively impacted young people. We welcome activities in any field, including creative, social and educational ones.  

What We Look For:

• Youth-Led Action: They supported or led campaigns which centred and benefitted young people. 
  How were young people involved in leading or shaping the campaign/project?

• Speaking up: They spoke up about issues that matter to young people.  
  Their work has improved the lives of young people in a clear and meaningful way.

• Encouraging Participation: They inspired more young people to get involved in democratic engagement, activism or politics. 

Individual or Group Award:

Group & Individual