About the Award
According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, only 2.9% of parliamentarians globally are under the age of 30, and only 19.2% of MPs are below 40. Young voices in politics are critically underrepresented, and this raises the substantial risk of disconnecting an entire generation from their nations’ political processes.
One Young World believes that the next generation of young politicians are here to do more than create the next convenient solution - they are here to influence, transform policy, and drive progress in their local communities.
The One Young World Politician of the Year Award was created in 2018 as the first global award recognising the work of young politicians under 35 and was launched to counter the low level of youth engagement in politics.
We are delighted to launch our annual Politician of the Year Award again for 2026.
Applications and nominations for the 2026 Politician of the Year Award are now closed.
Meet the 2026 winners
The One Young World Politician of the Year Award was created in 2018 as the first global award recognising the work of young politicians under 35 and was launched to counter the low level of youth engagement in politics.
These 3 young politicians have all been selected as winners because of the tremendous impact of their policies, advocacies and how they are inspiring others with their political leadership.
The winners were selected from a shortlist by One Young World’s expert judging panel.
The Miguel Uribe Turbay Award
Miguel Uribe Turbay was an inspiring young politician and One Young World Ambassador who worked tirelessly to help his country, Colombia, work towards a more peaceful future. He was tragically assassinated in 2025. To honour his memory, One Young World established the Miguel Uribe Turbay Prize. This award pays tribute to his legacy and celebrates young politicians who are leading with courage, integrity and empathy.
The 2026 Miguel Uribe Award winner is Takudzwa Ngadziore.
Anna Strolenberg
Member of European Parliament
Anna Strolenberg
Member of European Parliament
Ryosuke Takashima
Mayor of Ashiya
Ryosuke Takashima
Mayor of Ashiya
Takudzwa Ngadziore
Zimbabwe Member of Parliament
Takudzwa Ngadziore
Zimbabwe Member of Parliament
Meet The Judges
This expert judging panel has been invited by One Young World to choose three exceptional Politician of The Year winners who are overcoming barriers and taking on major global challenges that the world faces today.
President Laura Chinchilla
President, Club of Madrid, and Former President of Costa Rica
President Laura Chinchilla
President, Club of Madrid, and Former President of Costa Rica
Kerry Kennedy
President, Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center
Kerry Kennedy
President, Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center
Geordin Hill-Lewis
Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town
Geordin Hill-Lewis
Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town
Claudia Maria Tarazona
Lawyer and Political Strategist
Claudia Maria Tarazona
Lawyer and Political Strategist
Moko Tepania
Moko Tepania
Elena Sofia Motta Kolleff
Elena Sofia Motta Kolleff
Previous Winners
2025 Winners
2020 Winners
2019 Winners
Hervé Berville
Hervé Berville
Juan Guaidó
Juan Guaidó
Thórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir
Thórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir
Magid Magid
Magid Magid
Mbali Ntuli
Mbali Ntuli
2018 Winners
Julius Fieve
Julius Fieve
Naisula Lesuuda
Naisula Lesuuda
Sayida Ounissi
Sayida Ounissi
Travis Robinson
Travis Robinson
Jordon Steele-John
Jordon Steele-John