After a trial run this past year in South Africa, which was won by Humairah Jassat, founder of the Pink Hijaab breast cancer awareness campaign, the ALA Prize has been expanded to allow nominations from all over Africa.
What is the ALA Prize?
The ALA Prize is the premier award for African leaders aged 15-20 who have developed and implemented innovative solutions to challenges facing their communities.
The Prize recognizes young people whose passion for Africa drives them to design and develop projects that transform their communities and the continent. The ALA Prize is an initiative of the African Leadership Academy in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
What is awarded?
Eight finalists from across Africa will win an all-expenses paid trip to South Africa to be part of a week-long entrepreneurship workshop at the African Leadership Academy campus on the outskirts of Johannesburg. The grand prize winners, selected from these finalists, will share prizes worth $70,000 USD, which they may use to take their projects to new heights.
What are the criteria?
Each applicant will be judged on the following:
Impact: applicant’s efforts have a demonstrated, measurable and positive outcome.
Ingenuity: applicant takes a new and better approach to a pressing problem in his or her community.
Scalability: applicant’s solution has the potential to be replicated in communities facing similar challenges.
When and how can I enter?
As soon as possible! The closing date for the competition is April 1, 2011 but early submissions are highly encouraged. To enter or to learn more about the ALA Prize, go to the ALA Prize site.
