We Are Not Waiting 2026: Young Changemakers Aged 14–35 Invited to Submit Abstracts for Global Youth-Led Systems Change Anthology
We Are Not Waiting is a global youth-led initiative inviting young people creating fairer and more sustainable futures to submit abstracts for an open-access anthology. Co-produced by The 50 Percent at the Club of Rome and the UNESCO–MOST BRIDGES UK Hub, the project documents real-world youth initiatives.
Overview
We Are Not Waiting is a global youth-led initiative seeking to document what young people are already doing in practice to transform communities and systems. Co-produced by The 50 Percent at the Club of Rome and the UNESCO–MOST BRIDGES UK Hub, the project aims to gather around 18 contributions for an open-access anthology. The final publication will feature six chapters covering major themes of systems change, with a planned launch at the UNESCO MOST Forum 2027.
The anthology focuses on six core themes:
- Re-weaving the Future: Networks and Economies That Make the World Anew
- Building Resilience Through Ecological Resistance and Restoration
- Living Circular Futures: Small Changes, Big Difference
- Between Fracture and Repair: Youth-Led Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion
- Communities of Care: Youth-Led Networks Built on Solidarity, Not Charity
- Stories That Move Systems: Art, Culture and Storytelling as Tools for Transformation
Eligibility
- Open to young practitioners aged 14 to 35 at the time of submission who are actively engaged in work connected to at least one of the anthology themes.
- Applicants can apply individually or as part of a small team (all team members must meet the age requirement).
- No academic credentials, institutional affiliations, professional research experience, or established writing backgrounds are required.
- Applicants aged 18 and under must have their submission made on their behalf by an adult (such as a parent, guardian, or teacher) who includes their own contact details alongside the young entrant's information.
Benefits
- Selected authors will receive editorial support to develop their initial abstracts of up to 500 words into full contributions of approximately 2,000 words.
- Successful contributions will be featured in an open-access anthology intended to influence wider policy, research, and systems-change conversations.
- Contributors will have their work showcased during the planned launch at the UNESCO MOST Forum 2027.
How to Apply
Applicants must prepare an abstract of no more than 500 words written in their own clear and accessible voice. The abstract must describe the initiative, explain what makes the work distinct, ground the contribution in concrete examples, and reflect on learnings regarding broader systems change. Entrants should carefully review AI guidelines, as heavy reliance on AI tools is discouraged and requires a formal AI declaration if used for limited permitted tasks like grammar checks.
Submissions must be completed online via the official application form before the closing date.
Deadline
The deadline to submit an abstract is 31 August 2026.