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Social Shifters

Social Shifters

Global Innovation Challenge (GIC)

ClosedEntrepreneurshipSustainabilityCompetition

About the Program

The Global Innovation Challenge (GIC) is an annual free grant competition run by Social Shifters for young social entrepreneurs ages 18-30. Applicants must lead an existing project or startup that is already delivering measurable social or environmental impact aligned with one or more UN Sustainable Development Goals. The 2026 landing page describes projects as 100% youth-led; its detailed guidelines and FAQ require at least 51% youth stake plus clear youth decision-making authority. Winners receive grant funding of up to $15,000, plus access to fellowships, paid work opportunities, mentorship, and the broader Social Shifters community network. The 2026 rules exclude submissions from Russia, Belarus, Syria, North Korea, Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela. The verified August 31, 2026 submission cutoff has passed; the same cycle schedules November pitching and December award announcements.

Checked November 4, 2026 against the official 2026 challenge page, guidelines, and FAQ. The closed status, cutoff time, stated youth leadership/ownership requirements, and country exclusions are recorded without interpreting them as general legal rules. No 2027 timetable is inferred.

Eligibility

Published 2026 rules require entrants and registered team members to be 18-30 at submission and to lead an active impact project aligned with an SDG. The landing page says 100% youth-led; the guidelines and FAQ specify at least 51% youth stake and clear youth decision-making authority. Submissions from Russia, Belarus, Syria, North Korea, Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela are excluded by the program's rules. No unrestricted worldwide eligibility or future-cycle rule is asserted.

Eligible Countries

All countries Published 2026 rules allow entrants and projects worldwide except Russia, Belarus, Syria, North Korea, Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela. This is the program's stated exclusion list, not unrestricted worldwide access or a next-cycle guarantee.

How to Apply

The official 2026 submission period is closed. Early registration began May 18, submissions opened June 1, and the cutoff was August 31 at 5 p.m. UTC. The published 2026 schedule places finalist pitching in November and award announcements in December; it does not supply exact days. No next-cycle application window is confirmed.