Maverick Seda Shortlisted Among 20 Finalists for 2026 Commonwealth Youth Awards

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A young changemaker from the Solomon Islands, Maverick Peter Seda, has been named one of 20 regional finalists for the 2026 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work.

The announcement was made today by the Commonwealth Secretariat, recognising outstanding young leaders from across the 56 member nations.

The Commonwealth Youth Awards celebrate the contributions of young people aged 15–29 who are leading innovative, community-driven development work that supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This year’s awards attracted a record 977 applications, underscoring the growing commitment of youth to drive positive change around the world.

Among this year’s finalists, Maverick Peter Seda, representing the Solomon Islands, and he stands out for his exceptional work in community leadership, innovation and sustainable impact.

Seda joins other finalists from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and Canada, and the Pacific.

“At the Commonwealth Secretariat, we believe that young people must be at the forefront of shaping solutions. Their research, innovation and voice are essential to the future we are trying to build,” said Hon Shirley Botchwey, Commonwealth Secretary-General, in congratulating the finalists.

What Being a Finalist Means

All 20 finalists will receive:

·       A trophy,

·       A certificate, and

·       A £1,000 cash grant to support the continuation of their development work.

From these finalists, five will be named regional winners, each receiving an additional £2,000 in funding. One exceptional finalist will then be selected as the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year, receiving a further £2,000, bringing the total prize to £5,000.

The awards ceremony, a flagship event marking Commonwealth Day, will take place on 11 March 2026 at Marlborough House in London, hosted by the Commonwealth Secretary-General and livestreamed globally.

Spotlight on the Pacific

In the Pacific region, the four finalists recognised for 2026 are:

·       Aileen Zuhukepe (Papua New Guinea)

·       Maverick Peter Seda (Solomon Islands)

·       Phillie Marai (Papua New Guinea)

·       Wil Massara (Australia)

Maverick’s selection highlights the growing impact that Solomon Islands youth are having on community development, climate action, and sustainable innovation, contributing to both local resilience and the broader Commonwealth agenda.

About the Awards

The Commonwealth Youth Awards is a long-standing initiative of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, which for over a decade has provided a platform for young people to connect internationally, access funding, and expand their development projects.

Finalists for 2026 were selected through a rigorous two-stage judging process involving 57 Pan-Commonwealth adjudicators.

The Awards also include the inaugural Patsy Robertson Award for Outstanding Communications Skills, recognising young communicators who are championing free expression, inclusive media, and community engagement. 

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