2023 Promise Awards

The Promise Awards is World Federation of Youth Clubs program that honors and elevates youth and the work of youth development organizations around the world. Launched in 2021, this award program raises awareness about the importance of youth development organizations and professionals, highlights best practices in youth development around the globe, and shares stories of the creativity, courage, and resiliency of youth around the world.

The 2023 Promise Awards includes a virtual celebration event that will take place Wednesday, November 15th at 10am EST.

Nomination Process

The Promise Awards 2023 Toolkit will provide WFYC members with helpful updated information about this year’s program and event. You can also sign up for our e-newsletter to receive regular updates on the program, nomination process and event.

Be sure to register up for this year’s virtual conference, Lead. Innovate. Collaborate to learn more about the Promise Awards.

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Selection Committee

The 2023 Selection Committee will be Chaired by Gerald Mballe, who previously served on the 2022 committee. The remaining committee members will be announced at the end of June.

Sponsorship Information

Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2023 Promise Awards, for more information contact Kirk Dominick, kdominick@wfyc.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Promise Awards?

The Promise Awards are an annual celebration of leaders, programs and youth making a difference in their clubs and communities. In addition to the Promise Awards virtual event on November 15, 2023, the Promise Awards are a WFYC program that recognizes and supports youth club work of members around the world. Award recipients receive a grant to support their continued impact at the Club, as well as a special video storytelling production, and support from WFYC to share their story with the world.

How many awards are there in 2023?

The Promise Awards Committee will select 4 main award recipients and a number of honorable mentions for this year’s program. In the Leadership Category, the Committee will name 2 recipients: Volunteer Leadership Excellence and Staff Leadership Impact. In the Programs Category, there will be 1 Program Impact recipient. In the Youth Category, there will be 1 Youth recipient. Recipients of the 4 main Promise Awards will receive a $2,000 USD grant to their club to continue and expand their work. Those recognized with an honorable mention will receive a $500 grant.

Have there been any changes to the program since last year?

Nomination process and requirements are the same, however number of awards, benefits, and the celebration event has changed! WFYC recommends reading the 2023 Promise Awards program guide carefully. You can also learn more about the Promise Awards by attending this year’s virtual conference, Lead. Innovate. Collaborate. Register today for the virtual conference!

Contact admin@wfyc.org with questions.

What is the award process?

Applications will be reviewed by the Promise Awards selection committee, as nominations are reviewed and sent to the selection committee as they are received. Applicants may be asked to provide additional information after submitting their application, such as photos, detailed explanations, or other proof of accomplishments. Recipients will be contacted in Late July and will begin working with WFYC on event production, including recording a video for the event. Award recipients will be announced in November at the Promise Awards virtual celebration.

My organization received a Promise Award in a past year. Are we eligible to apply again in 2023?

Yes! All WFYC member organizations are eligible for Promise Awards in 2023, regardless of past recognition in the Promise Awards program.

When are nominations open?

Nominate a leader, program, or youth anytime between July 1 and July 31, 2023. Nominations received after 11:59 pm EDT on July 31 will not be considered in this year’s Promise Awards program. You can preview the nomination form and requirements starting June 1. WFYC encourages all nominators to prepare their nomination early!

Can my organization be nominated for more than one award?

Yes! Affiliates are encouraged to apply for more than one award to highlight all their outstanding nominees.

Can my organization apply for more than one award?

Yes! All our Affiliate members, no matter how big or small, make an impact. Affiliates are encouraged to apply for more than one award to highlight all their outstanding nominees.

Who can nominate a person or program for the Promise Awards?

Anyone from a WFYC member organization, including staff, volunteers, and youth can nominate a leader, program, or youth for a 2023 Promise Award. All nominators must notify the club’s leader about the nomination to ensure that your club knows that a person or program was nominated! WFYC will contact your Club’s leader in early August to confirm the names of individuals and programs nominated for the Promise Awards. If your club leader is a nominee, WFYC will not notify the leader of their nomination, but will contact the Board Chair or other members of the leadership team to ensure your Club is aware of the nomination.

How do I submit a nomination?

Visit the WFYC website between July 1 and July 31 to complete a short online form. Nominations must include information such as: the nominator’s contact information, the nominee’s contact information, details about the nominee and why they should receive a Promise Award, and supporting materials that demonstrate the nominee’s accomplishments. You can download a nomination preview form today to prepare your nomination now. WFYC recommends preparing your nomination early, and working with your team members to gather stories and supporting materials.

What information should I include in the nomination?

In addition to all required fields, strong nominations include clear examples and evidence of the leader, program or youth’s impact. Supporting materials look different for every individual person or program. In general, nominators should aim to submit a minimum of 5 photos, 1 or more videos, and 2 or more supporting examples of their impact, such as a newspaper article, blog or social media posts, or a story about their work written by a club staff or member.

How are the Promise Award recipients selected?

The Promise Awards recipients and honorees are selected by the Promise Awards Committee. The committee is a team of volunteers who review nominations and select the recipients and honorable mentions. The committee uses a rubric to assess each nominee’s unique story and application, considering factors like initiative, barriers, and the WFYC spirit of youth development. This year’s Promise Awards Committee is chaired by Gerald Mballe, who previously served on the 2022 Promise Awards committee.

How can I find out who is named a 2023 Promise Award recipient or honorable mention?

Attend the Promise Awards virtual celebration on Wednesday, November 15 at 10:00 am EST. Click here to share your contact information and be notified when registration is available.

Who can I contact for more questions?

Contact Tony Galvao, Program Operations Coordinator at tgalvao@wfyc.org or Abby Lemay, Vice President of Impact at alemay@wfyc.org

2022 Promise Awards

The 2022 Promise Awards was shared with a global audience on September 20, 2022. We recognized seven honorees and five honorable mentions in three categories: leaders, programs, and youth. Award recipients were selected from over 60 nominations from WFYC members around the globe.  Honoree’s received video storytelling production, a professionally edited video about the recipient and their club, media training, guidance, and support to celebrate this news in their local community, and a grant to the club supporting their programs.

Learn more about what the Promise Awards honorees have been up to at the Lead – Innovate – Collaborate Virtual Conference June 21-23!

Meet the 2022 Honorees

Honorable Mentions

Abubakar Kinene

Petros Zoe Initiative, Uganda

Community Action Teams

Petros Zoe Initiative, Uganda

Elliot

Club de Niños y Niñas de Hidalgo, Mexico

Mariam Namulondo

Petros Zoe Initiative, Uganda

Andrea

Club de Niños, Niñas y Jóvenes de Venezuela, Venezuela

Selection Committee

David Evangelista

Special Olympics

Gerald Mballe

Special Olympics

Rob Parker

Trilith

Liz Twyford

Unicef UK

Gilles Virgili

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

Teresa Walch

Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Meet the 2021 Promise Award Recipients

Selection Committee

David Evangelista

Special Olympics Europe-Eurasia

Lorraine Orr

Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Marilyn Tom

CARE USA

Mona Dixon

WFYC Council Member

Okawale Makanjuola

ONE Campaign

Scott Swinson

Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation