The Leadership for Change Prize winners

Michaelhouse, South Africa

United School and College, Bangladesh

Alimosho Senior Grammar School, Nigeria

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ROLEX. The Economist Educational Foundation maintained full editorial control.

The Leadership for Change Prize offered students the chance to submit their "Projects for Change" as part of a global competition. Three winning entries were selected by a panel of judges and there were a total of three prizes to be won, included funding and mentorship to turn students' projects into a reality.

The quality of the competition entries has been outstanding and we're thrilled to see students apply the skills they've developed through the Leadership for Change curriculum to address challenges in their own communities. In total, we received:

  • 356

    entries

  • 23

    countries

  • 6

    continents

Announcing the winners

Michaelhouse, South Africa

Students from Michaelhouse designed a project to help households grow food without using soil. Through the Michaelhouse Community Partnership Trust, the boys aim to test and trial their customised hydroponic water system which uses recycled, nutrient-rich water as a substitute for soil.

Our judges selected the students’ work for their creative solution which "was entrepreneurial in spirit and design."

"If successful, the solution would be self-sustaining and could be deployed widely, and so have a lasting impact on food provision."
– Luke Bradley-Jones, President, The Economist Group.

Alimosho Senior Grammar School, Nigeria

Students at Alimosho Senior Grammar School identified problems with period poverty and misconceptions about female health that affect their school community. They plan to make period products available in school and hire a health counsellor to help tackle misconceptions around female health.

Our judges admired the "energy and passion" of the pitch and acknowledged the immediate impact the project would have on their fellow students.

"An impressive video submission that clearly identifies a real problem, its consequences, and the potential benefits of solving it in a school of 900 girls."
– Tom Standage, Deputy Editor, The Economist

United School and College, Bangladesh

United School and College, Bangladesh

Sababa and Jim are concerned about the safety of women and girls in their community, particularly when they may have to travel alone in rural areas.

Their "Project for Change" equips students with self-defence skills to give girls agency and confidence, and to improve their wellbeing.

"The focus on empowerment of girls is compelling [...] given the injustice addressed by the project and the laudable acknowledgment of the need for program evaluation and stage-gating, this is an effort worth supporting."
– Vijay Vaitheeswaran, Global Energy & Climate Innovation Editor, The Economist.

Download winning pitch (PDF)

What's next?

The winning groups will receive three mentorship video calls and up to £1,000 funding to deliver their "Project for Change".

Watch this space – we'll be providing updates on how the winning projects go.

The judges

  • Luke Bradley-Jones portrait

    Luke Bradley-Jones

    Managing Director of The Economist Group

  • Tom Standage portrait

    Tom Standage

    Deputy Editor, The Economist and editor of The World Ahead

  • Georgia Banjo portrait

    Georgia Banjo

    UK health correspondent at The Economist

  • Vijay Vaitheeswaran portrait

    Vijay Vaitheeswaran

    Global Energy & Climate Innovation Editor of The Economist

Inspired by our Prize winners?

Download our Leadership for Change lessons to empower your students with the tools and knowledge to support their communities and create their own "Projects for Change".

Find out more