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The International Children’s Peace Prize

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One young voice can change the world

What happens when a young person refuses to accept injustice? 

Sometimes, they change the lives of thousands. Sometimes, they change the world. 

The International Children’s Peace Prize is the world’s most important youth prize. It celebrates courageous young changemakers who are taking action for children’s rights. It shines a global spotlight on young people whose ideas, determination and leadership are creating real change in their communities and beyond. 

At KidsRights, we believe their work deserves more than recognition. It deserves to be heard by the people who have the power to make lasting change happen. 

Meet the winners

"Do not wait for someone else to come and speak for you. It's you who can change the world."

- MALALA YOUSAFZAI, 2013 WINNER INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S PEACE PRIZE
NOBEL PEACE LAUREATE 2014

A global stage for young changemakers

The International Children’s Peace Prize is awarded annually to a child who fights courageously for children’s rights. 

 

The world’s most prestigious youth prize was launched by KidsRights during the 2005 World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates at the Capitol in Rome, chaired by Mikhail Gorbachev. Since then, the prize has been presented every year by a Nobel Peace Laureate. The International Children’s Peace Prize is an initiative of Marc Dullaert, Chairman and Founder of the KidsRights Foundation. 

 

Since the inception of the International Children’s Peace Prize, we have been honoured to have 21 winners from 18 different countries, on 5 different continents. They include Asia, Africa, Europe, North America and South America. 

 

From campaigning for girls’ education to protecting children affected by conflict, previous winners have shown that age is never a barrier to creating meaningful change. Because when one young person is heard, millions more are inspired to believe they can make a difference too. 

22 International Children's Peace Prize winners

Winners creating change across 18 countries and 5 continents

1.5 billion People reached through global coverage of the 2025 winner

More than an award

Winning the International Children’s Peace Prize is just the beginning. 

 

The Prize opens doors to international media, influential decision-makers and a global network of supporters. It gives young changemakers the opportunity to share their ideas on some of the world’s biggest stages and encourages others to take action for children’s rights.

Supporting the winners

Beyond the award ceremony, KidsRights continues to support winners through initiatives such as the Project Fund and the Desmond Tutu Study and Care Fund. These programmes help winners grow their projects, expand their impact and continue their education. 

 

The Project Fund 

Winning the International Children’s Peace Prize comes with a €50,000 Project Fund, enabling the winner to expand their initiative and reach even more children. Its impact extends even further. Through the Theme Fund, KidsRights also supports other young changemakers whose work aligns with the winner’s cause, helping innovative ideas grow into sustainable, long-term change across the world.

 

The Desmond Tutu Study and Care Fund

Through the Desmond Tutu Study and Care Fund, every winner receives support to continue their education and, where needed, assistance for their siblings and family. The fund helps young changemakers build on their achievements, strengthen their impact, and continue driving positive change within their communities.

Watch the 2025 Ceremony Highlights

Watch the video

Young people changing the world

Every winner has a different story. They come from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. 

What unites them is the courage to stand up for children’s rights and the determination to improve life for others. 

Meet the winners

2025, Bana Alabed (15), Syria

Bana Alabed is a children’s rights advocate who, after experiencing the siege of Aleppo as a child, used social media to draw global attention to the realities faced by children in conflict. Now based in Türkiye, she continues to raise awareness of the experiences of children affected by war through advocacy, public speaking and educational initiatives.

2013, Malala Yousafzai (16), Pakistan

Malala Yousafzai is an education activist who began speaking out against the Taliban’s ban on girls’ education while still a schoolgirl. After surviving an assassination attempt in 2012, she continued advocating globally for every girl’s right to education.

2019, Greta Thundberg (16), Sweden

Greta Thunberg is a climate activist who, at 15, began a school strike outside Sweden’s parliament to call for stronger action on climate change. Her protest grew into a global movement, inspiring millions of young people to speak out and demand greater action on climate justice.

Could the next winner be someone you know?

Across the world, young people are standing up for children’s rights every day. 

 

They deserve to be seen. 

 

If you know a young person creating positive change for children, nominate them for the International Children’s Peace Prize and help their story reach the world. 

 

To find out more about how you can nominate someone for the International Children’s Peace Prize please email us at info@kidsrights.org.uk

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