Allianz x Social Shifters MoveNow Global Social Innovation Challenge 2026

About

A global youth-led social innovation challenge awarding $5,000–$10,000 grants in three impact categories and providing mentorship and network access to selected participants.

Benefits

• 💰Grant funding awards
  Multiple awards of $5,000 and $10,000 USD are available, totaling $30,000 per category and $90,000 overall; grants are conditional on completing the full competition process and being selected by the judging panel.
• 🧑‍🏫 Founder and startup support
  Access to exclusive learning materials and an Allianz business mentor for all finalist founders; finalists also receive one-to-one pitch coaching.
• 🌐Global opportunities network
  All eligible applicants gain access to year-round opportunities, including grant funding awards, paid work and training with Social Shifters.
• 🎤Finalist visibility
  Shortlisted finalists receive publicity opportunities and access to alumni community resources.

Eligibility Criteria

• Mandatory: founders/entrants must be 18–30 years old on or before the submission deadline and able to provide government-issued ID
• Mandatory: projects must be youth-led, with young people holding a majority stake of 51% or more and clear decision-making authority
• Mandatory: the entrant must be the founder, co-founder or primary leader of the submitting group or startup
• Mandatory: projects must address a clearly defined social or environmental issue, show measurable impact and align with at least one UN Sustainable Development Goal
• Mandatory: for-profit ventures, nonprofits and unregistered initiatives may apply; if registered, the organization must have been incorporated no earlier than five years before the submission deadline
• Mandatory: each entrant may make only one submission
• Mandatory: submissions are not accepted from Russia, Belarus, Syria, North Korea, Iran, Cuba or Venezuela
• Mandatory: Allianz employees and their family members are not allowed to participate due to conflict of interest
• Preferred: solutions for and from underserved communities are prioritized

Participation Commitments

• Submissions open on 7 October 2026 and close on 18 December 2026 at 5:00 PM UTC
• Apply through the official Social Shifters submissions platform only; partial or incomplete submissions are disqualified
• Submit all written entries, pitch decks and videos in English
• Each entrant may submit only one project; multiple submissions are disqualified
• Participants need a laptop or desktop with internet access, camera and microphone for online calls and pitch events
• Entrants must disclose any generative AI tool usage and ensure the core submission reflects original human thinking
• Finalists must agree to publicity terms, including use of name, photographs, country of residence and basic project information
• Awardees must use grant funds according to the approved budget, with no more than 10% for travel and no personal expenses, and provide financial reporting and progress updates for 12 months
• Key 2026–2027 milestones: first scoring round begins 25 January 2027, first scoring ends 26 February 2027, finalist shortlisting/announcement in March 2027, finalist mentoring begins 15 March 2027, finals/live pitching in May 2027, winners announced in May 2027 and grant awards allocated in June 2027
• Social Shifters states that it does not charge participation fees

Target Region

Applicants and projects can be located anywhere in the world; submissions are not accepted from Russia, Belarus, Syria, North Korea, Iran, Cuba or Venezuela due to UK government financial sanctions.

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food, Defense & Security, Education, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Government & Public Sector, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Real Estate & Construction, Retail & Consumer, Semiconductors & Electronics, Sports & Fitness, Telecommunications, Transportation & Logistics, Travel & Hospitality, Other