$50,000 UNESCO Girls’ and Women’s Education Prize

The UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education, established in 2015 with support from the Government of China, is the first UNESCO award dedicated solely to advancing gender equality in education. Each year, it honors two laureates — individuals, institutions, or organizations — whose projects have demonstrated innovation, measurable impact, sustainability, and scalability in improving education for girls and women. Laureates are selected by an independent jury and announced annually on October 9, International Day of the Girl, each receiving USD $50,000 to expand their initiatives.

Benefits

• USD $50,000 award per laureate (two laureates selected annually)
• Global recognition and visibility through UNESCO platforms
• Opportunity to showcase innovative, scalable, and replicable education projects

• Nominations must be made by UNESCO Member States’ governments or NGOs in official partnership with UNESCO
• Up to three nominees per country/NGO allowed
• Self‑nominations are not permitted
• Be established and running for at least 2 years
• Demonstrate innovation, impact, sustainability, and scalability
• Nominations must be submitted in English or French via UNESCO’s online platform (accessible only to National Commissions, Permanent Delegations, and partner NGOs)
• Independent jury of 5 experts reviews nominations
• Jury recommends laureates to UNESCO Director‑General
• Winners announced October 9, 2026
• Running a project or organization
• Working (full-time or part-time)
• Entrepreneur