Calling young changemakers across the world! Applications are now open for the Opportunity Desk Impact Challenge (ODIC) 2026! Are you making a difference in your community? Are you leading a project, building a social enterprise, advocating for change, or developing solutions that improve people’s lives? This is your opportunity to share your impact, gain global recognition, and access opportunities to take your work further. The OD Impact Challenge is a global competition that recognises, celebrates, and supports young changemakers working to bring positive change to their communities while highlighting the impact Opportunity Desk is making in the lives of young people worldwide.
Every day, young people are transforming their communities through education, entrepreneurship, climate action, gender equality, technology, healthcare, and other important initiatives. ODIC 2026 is an opportunity to recognise their contributions, amplify their stories, and support their efforts to create lasting change.
About the challenge
The competition challenges participants to share their impact stories by answering three important questions in a 60-second video:
- What are you doing to bring positive change to your community? Tell us about the problem you are solving and the difference your work is making.
- How is Opportunity Desk making an impact in your life? Share how OD has supported your personal or professional journey.
- How would winning the OD Impact Challenge help you? Explain how the opportunity and prizes would strengthen or expand your impact.
Prizes and benefits
The OD Impact Challenge offers young changemakers opportunities for recognition, learning, networking, mentorship, and professional development.
Participants selected for recognition would benefit from:
- Global visibility and recognition for their impact.
- Certificates of recognition.
- Professional development and learning opportunities.
- Mentorship and connections with experienced professionals.
- Media features highlighting their work and achievements.
- Opportunities to connect with a global network of changemakers.
- Recognition through the OD Impact Challenge 30 Under 30 Changemakers initiative.
Top 12 finalists will receive special recognition and access to opportunities provided through the challenge and its partners. Further details about the ODIC 2026 prize package will be announced.
Eligibility
The OD Impact Challenge 2026 is open to young changemakers from all countries who meet the following requirements:
- Be between 18 and 30 years old, regardless of nationality.
- Be actively solving a problem and improving lives in their community.
- Have at least one year of demonstrated impact, whether as an individual, employee, entrepreneur, or community leader.
- Be an active Opportunity Desk user, follow OD on its social media platforms, and subscribe to the OD newsletter.
- Be able to demonstrate their work, achievements, and contribution to their community.
Opportunity Desk staff, partners, mentors, and previous top-three winners are not eligible to apply.
Terms and conditions
- Participation in the challenge is free.
- Submitted videos must be original and must not infringe on copyright or other intellectual property rights.
- Applicants must have permission from individuals featured in their videos.
- AI-generated or AI-edited videos are not eligible.
- By participating, applicants agree that Opportunity Desk may use their submitted videos for promotional purposes.
- Opportunity Desk reserves the right to disqualify incomplete, misleading, inappropriate, or ineligible submissions.
- Applicants are responsible for ensuring their submissions are accurate and completed before the deadline.
Judging criteria
Applications will be reviewed by a panel of experienced professionals and social impact leaders based on:
- Innovation: The creativity and relevance of the solution.
- Project impact: The demonstrated difference the initiative is making in people’s lives.
- Sustainability: The potential of the initiative to continue creating meaningful change.
How to enter the competition
Step 1: Create a 60-second video
Record a short video answering the three challenge questions about your community impact, your Opportunity Desk journey, and how winning would support your work.
Step 2: Share your video on social media
Post your video on social media, tag Opportunity Desk, and use the hashtags #ODImpactChallenge #ODIC2026.
Step 3: Complete the application form
Fill out the online application form with your personal information, details of your initiative, and evidence of your impact.
Click here to apply
Step 4: Prepare for the finalist stage
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted with further instructions. The Top 12 finalists will advance to the next stage of the competition, which includes public voting. Make sure to follow Opportunity Desk on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and Telegram, and subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates.
Application deadline: December 10, 2026Click here to apply
