Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all. As long as every team member is between 14 and 18 years old, you’re eligible.
We encourage diversity — international and inter-school teams are welcome.Unfortunately, no. All submissions must be in English, including the video presentation.
This ensures fair evaluation by our global panel and prepares participants for international settings.Yes — in fact, we encourage you to learn from experienced changemakers, teachers, or local experts.
However, your application must be honest and original. Mentors can guide you, but should not do the work for you.Yes. If you’ve already been working on a meaningful project, you can further develop and submit it under YCA.
However, you’ll still need to present it according to the YCA framework.As long as it’s a real social or environmental challenge aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), your topic is eligible.
Still unsure? Feel free to reach out to us.Our judges are sustainable development experts, educators, and professionals from around the world — people who have real-world experience addressing global challenges.
No. Gold Medal winners receive 30% of the Changemaker Fund upfront.
The remaining 70% is awarded after the team presents a final report showing progress and impact one year later.YCA is a non-profit competition, and the registration fee helps cover basic operations:
website maintenance, judge honorariums, coordination costs, etc. It also ensures commitment.
Attention: The fee is non-refundable.In many ways:
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YCA provides evidence of global citizenship, leadership, and initiative.
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Your project can serve as a standout experience in college essays, interviews, and recommendation letters.
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Finalists and winners may receive letters of recommendation from sustainable development professionals.
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The YCA framework aligns with what top global universities expect from meaningful extracurriculars.
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