2026 Top 3 Finalists
From 280 nominations from around the world, three inspiring young changemakers have been selected for their extraordinary commitment to advancing children’s rights and creating positive change.
Francisco Javier Vera Manzanares, 17, Colombia
Francisco leads a network of more than 1,400 young climate defenders and continues to speak out for environmental and children’s rights.
Issaiah Guzman Arancibia, 15, Chile
Issaiah is bringing children’s voices into the justice system, training judges and police officers and presenting before the Supreme Court.
Sufaira, 17, a Rohingya girl living in the world’s largest refugee camp in Bangladesh
Sufaira raises awareness of children’s rights and works to keep girls in school and protect them from child marriage, despite the very difficult circumstances she faces.
Change begins with
young changemakers.
Young people around the
world are taking action...
...from the ground up,
from the inside out.
All over the world, children and young people are standing up for justice. They are protecting and advocating for children’s rights, and developing solutions to problems that affect us all. They are the generation shaping the world right now.
Read moreHow we empower young changemakers
Young people standing up for children's rights deserve more than applause. They deserve research that proves their story, a stage that reaches world leaders and a movement that doesn't stop. That's why KidsRights works across these three areas at once.
Measuring the world's commitment to children's rights. Explore the KidsRights Index
Kidsrights Index
Young changemakers are moving the world
The International Children's Peace Prize
Change doesn't come from the top. It starts with young people who refuse to wait
State of Youth
Over 800 State of Youth chapters
in more than 70 countries.
View the projects we support See all projects
Bana Alabed – Education Initiative
Bana Alabed, winner 2025 International Children's Peace Prize
Syria
Crossadder Foundation – The EqualEd Initiative for Gender Equality in Pakistan
Crossadder Foundation
Pakistan
Refugee Empowerment Network – Breaking Barriers Project
Refugee Empowerment Network
Bangladesh
Teresa – a youth-led short film about gender equality
State of Youth Manila
Philippines
Nav and Vihaan Agarwal – Children’s Climate Action & Circularity Initiative
One Step Greener
India
Nila Ibrahimi – ROYA Mentorship Programme
HerStory Initiative Society
Canada
Malala Yousafzai – Education Scholarships for Girls in Pakistan
Khushal School & College
Pakistan
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"‘Our words must be accompanied by our deeds. It is not enough to identify a problem, we must also seek its solution. This is what it means to be a leader, a Changemaker, a campaigner.’"
- ABRAHAM M. KEITA, 2015 WINNER INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S PEACE PRIZE