Young communications professionals are being encouraged to apply for a special new award within the 2026 Commonwealth Youth Awards. The inaugural Patsy Robertson Award for Outstanding Communications Skills in Advancing Community Development and Peace is being included as an additional prize this year.
The award category recognises the exceptional commitment, creativity and courage of young journalists, broadcasters and writers in promoting media freedom, inclusive societies and democracy. The award is open to editors, reporters, photojournalists, webcasters, social media activists, commentators, broadcasters, bloggers, podcasters and streamers.
The Commonwealth Association, a group of former staff members who once served the Secretariat, has initiated this award to honour the association’s first Chair, the late Patsy Robertson. The winner will take home a cash prize of £1,000, a certificate and a trophy.
Submit a nomination for the 2026 Commonwealth Youth Awards
Celebrating young media creatives driving positive change
In line with the Commonwealth Youth Award criteria, nominees must:
- be a Commonwealth citizen
- be aged 15 to 29 years on 31 December 2025
- have been engaged in development work for at least 12 months as a professional or volunteer; and
- show a strong record of accomplishment in implementing impactful development work, contributing to any of the 17 SDGs.
To be eligible for the Patsy Roberston award, a nominee should:
- be a young journalist, writer or communicator
- provide samples of their relevant work and professional references
- showcase how their work advances SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Applications for the Patsy Robertson award, as well as the other categories, are now open and close on 17 October 2025.
Honouring an outstanding communicator
The award is in recognition of the formidable legacy of Patsy Robertson, who served as Director of Communications at the Commonwealth Secretariat. Robertson is remembered as a champion of fearless journalism, a relentless advocate for women in media and a passionate believer in the power of words to transform communities.
Paying tribute to her outstanding contribution, Max Gaylard, Chair of the Commonwealth Association, said:
“We honour Patsy Robertson by rewarding young people and by highlighting the important work of communications professionals. Young journalists do much more than simply tell stories—they are the visionaries and architects of our future democratic societies. By introducing this award, we are empowering the next generation of communicators who strengthen the foundations of democracy itself.
“We are proud to partner with the Commonwealth Secretariat to recognise this outstanding communicator and to showcase the work of the next generation of leaders in this important area.”
Layne Robinson, Head of Social Policy Development at the Commonwealth Secretariat, shared:
“The Commonwealth Youth Awards continues to be a platform to showcase how young leaders are driving community development, enhancing democracy, and ensuring that goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development become a reality.
“By highlighting outstanding achievements by young leaders in media and communications, we are renewing our commitment to foster inclusive societies and nurture the principles of good governance throughout the Commonwealth.”
The awards, officially named the Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work, recognise exceptional young people whose efforts have made a lasting difference to individuals and communities.
It also recognises the contribution of young people to solving national and local problems, shaping development in innovative ways, and inspiring other young individuals to participate in nation-building.
Apply for the 2026 Commonwealth Youth Awards
Media contact
- Ijeoma Onyeator, Communications Officer, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
- E-mail | Mobile: +44 07483919976
