Launched in 2024, the awards are a global benchmark for institutional commitment to advancing young people’s participation in evaluation. While these awards provide well-deserved recognition, their impact extends further by serving as a catalyst for systemic change. They bridge the intergenerational gap in evaluation and establish benchmarks for youth participation in evaluation, strengthening the entire development sector. 

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Now in their third year, the 2026 award cycle included participation from 42 organizations—representing a diverse ecosystem of academia, governments, VOPEs, youth networks, international bodies, the private sector, and United Nations agencies—who submitted rigorous self-assessments against the global standards.

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On 19 May 2026, during the global inauguration of the Youth in Evaluation Forum 2026, 15 organizations were distinguished for their leadership in two categories: Legacy Champions and Champions. The review process was spearheaded by the EvalYouth Global Network.