Getting set to search the world for tomorrow's community leaders
ACT is preparing once again to search the world for aspiring community leaders through our Bright Future Prize.
This £40,000 fund exists to empower the next generation by investing in their diverse ideas to make a difference to the people, places and causes that matter most to them.
Already 45+ young people representing countries across the globe have been supported with over £185,000 to make their ideas a reality.
Now, the 2026 prize is getting ready to open for entries in early February. So, make sure you know more about this fantastic opportunity for young people aged 15 to 21 years old.
Investing in the next generation of changemakers
Bright Future Prize 2026 will officially launch at the start of February, when the application form will go live on the ACT website.
The prize is open to young people aged 15 to 21 years old based in any country where The Ardonagh Group has a presence, including:
Our prize categories
Each connected to a way young people can have a positive impact, Bright Future Prize features four prize categories – Community, Planet, Vision and Passion – with the winners across all categories sharing the £40,000 total prize fund.
Get inspired by our brilliant Bright Future Alumni
We are so proud of all 45+ of our Alumni, winners and finalists from the prize to date. Together, they represent seven different countries and all with their own unique aspirations to lead change, but united with drive and passion.
Since being a part of the prize, all have further developed their bright ideas and themselves. Here's just a snapshot of stories from our Alumni ahead of our 2026 prize...
A festival to feed aspirations
As committed to the craft of rapping as he is to uplifting young people, Jarvis is part of Sound Communities CIC which develops the skills and confidence of young people in and around South Devon, UK. The winner of the Your Passion category in 2025, Jarvis has been quick to put the funding into action to organise Sound Communities’ first ever youth festival, which is planned to take place in August 2026. Far from a one-off event, the festival aims to be start of an annual opportunity to showcase the talent of young musicians and the chance to learn the art of festivals and event planning for those where a future career may lie.
Youth-led community action
Reaching the shortlist in 2024, Kagiso epitomises community spirit. A real driver of change and citizenship, Kagiso founded the youth-led KKF foundation in his hometown of Phake in South Africa.
The grant funding he received helped establish KKF and in the two years since Kagiso has represented his region in policy making events to inform national legislation, enacting policies in his secondary school against violence and discrimination, and most recently in December started the Green Rise initiative to clear rubbish and protect green spaces.
Music to open opportunities
A finalist in the inaugural year of Bright Future Prize, in 2021 Grace impressed with her hopes to further access to music lessons in and around Suffolk. At the time Grace had her own ambitions as a young trumpeter, and since has graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music. Now, as a freelance professional musician and performer, Grace continues to also give back as a music educator – to help young people, once just like her, take their passion to the next level.
Learn about all our fantastic bright Future Prize stars on the Alumni page of the ACT website.
Stay in the know for this year's prize
Make sure you stay up to date on Bright Future Prize 2026.
- Follow ACT on Instagram and Facebook where you can find us @ardonaghct.
- Keep an eye on our website, with the application form will go live on the Bright Future Prize page.
- Get in touch with the ACT team by contacting info@ardonaghtrust.org
