Innovation Awards 2024

Imagine a world where grassroots innovators and civil society leaders have the support and resources they need to transform bold ideas into powerful movements.

What are the Nelson Mandela- Graca Machel Innovation Awards?

The Nelson Mandela-Graça Machel Innovation Awards recognise and support individuals and organisations around the world who are developing creative and impactful solutions to achieve a more just world, and for having a positive impact on citizen rights and justice movements. Named in honour of the influential leaders Nelson Mandela and Graça Machel, the award honours individuals and organisations that demonstrate innovative approaches to addressing social challenges.

It was established in 2004 by CIVICUS, an international alliance of civil society organisations. Since their inception, the awards have provided seed funding, communication opportunities, and networking support to help amplify the impact of grassroots initiatives. The awards underscore the importance of justice, freedom and collective action in effecting positive change.

Who are Nelson Mandela and Graca Machel?

Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist who served as the country's first Black president from 1994 to 1999. He was a key figure in the struggle against apartheid, a system of institutionalised racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa. Nelson Mandela inspired a nation to imagine a future beyond the oppression of Apartheid and fight for freedom collectively, despite the suffocating injustice of their daily lives.

Graça Machel is a renowned Mozambican politician, humanitarian, and advocate for women's and children's rights. She served as the Minister of Education and Culture in Mozambique after the country gained independence in 1975. She is an outspoken critic of colonialism and remains a global beacon of integrity and wisdom, championing education and children’s rights.

"Together, they represent a tenacious commitment to strive for a just world, deep-rooted values of justice and integrity and a stubborn refusal to be placated with empty promises."

Objectives

Support Innovation and Amplify Impact - The Awards support the innovation of individuals or groups of participants by granting funding, which is accompanied by a range of communication, networking and mentoring opportunities available through the CIVICUS alliance. This helps the awardees to increase their reach and effectiveness.

Celebrate Achievements and Promote Visibility - The Innovation Awards honour individuals and organisations who are using creative and committed approaches to achieving justice and human rights, often in environments where resources and support are scarce. Celebrating their achievements helps to increase their visibility and recognition on a global scale.

History and Impact

Years

Awardees

Countries

The Nelson Mandela-Graça Machel Innovation Awards was established in 2004 and inspired by CIVICUS’ ongoing relationship with Graça Machel, who was a founding Board member of CIVICUS. This relationship, and the significance of both Nelson Mandela and Graça Machel’s names to many civil society activists around the world, made it a natural choice for the title of the award. The Nelson Mandela Graça Machel Innovation Awards was constituted with the belief that small amounts of seed or start-up funding can make a critical difference in amplifying some of the strongest ideas that emerge from small, local civil society groups.

Over 20 years, the awards have celebrated 42 change-makers from over 24 countries, recognising their contributions to citizen rights and justice movements.

Timeline

The Innovation Award was inaugurated in 2004. Subsequent editions of the Nelson Mandela-Graça Machel Innovation Awards were presented during award ceremonies that took place during International Civil Society Week 2014 (Johannesburg, South Africa), 2016 (Bogota, Colombia) and 2017 (Suva, Fiji) and through a virtual platform in 2021.

2024 Innovation Awards

The coming year marks an important milestone in the journey of the Innovation Awards. In 2024, we will have completed two decades of this unique initiative to celebrate citizens and organisations that are making a difference in the world.

This 20th Anniversary iteration of the Awards will be unique in 2 key aspects:

By the Innovators, For the Innovators: For the first time, the Innovation Awards will be designed by the past awardees. These past winners will take an active role in crafting the journey of the Awards, from defining eligibility criteria to determining award categories and designing the support structures for new winners. This approach ensures that the process is deeply informed by the experiences and insights of those who have navigated the challenges and opportunities of innovative work firsthand.

Redefining Innovation: Innovation has forever been linked with science and technology but in a climate of restricted access to funding and means, innovation for civil society seldom involves technology. Instead, it often arises from working together, pooling resources, adapting plans, and testing new ideas. The Innovation Awards 2024 aims to redefine innovation by underpinning the value of collaboration, resourcefulness, and community-driven solutions.

New Award Cycle Highlights

2025 International Civil Society Week

An in-person event celebrating the 2024 awardees will be held in the run-up to International Civil Society, scheduled in 2025. The event will focus on bringing together 20 awardees (past & current) of the Nelson Mandela Graça Machel Innovation Awards, representing two decades of the initiative. The awardees will also have an integral role in shaping the 2025 International Civil Society Week, particularly its innovation stream

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Imagine a world where grassroots innovators and civil society leaders have the support and resources they need to transform bold ideas into powerful movements.