The Role of Prizes and Recognition
The competition is the engagement structure of Pink Youth Rising — not the whole of it. Prizes and recognition create commitment and visibility, while the deeper value lives in what students build and become.
The competition creates commitment. The curriculum develops systems thinking. The campaign makes learning visible. The process reveals leadership.
Why competition and recognition matter
Recognition is a means, not the mission. Here is the role it plays inside the wider learning model.
Prizes create motivation and commitment
Recognition and awards give students a clear reason to commit to a demanding, multi-week journey.
Recognition gives student work public visibility
Strong campaign concepts deserve an audience. Recognition brings student thinking into public view.
The competition creates a demanding time horizon
A defined finish line turns curiosity into sustained, disciplined work over sixteen weeks.
Campaigns are valuable learning artifacts
Every campaign concept is evidence of research, collaboration, and systems thinking — valuable regardless of ranking.
The process reveals leadership
Consistency, collaboration, and execution become visible over time — revealing emerging leaders.
Value extends beyond final ranking
Students who do not win are not failures. The capability they build lasts far beyond the competition.
Where a strong campaign could go
Possible directions — not guaranteedThese are illustrative possibilities for what a campaign concept could become. They describe potential, not promises, and no specific outcome is committed to any team.
Flagship launch
A concept developed further as a leading public campaign.
Pilot activation
A small, real-world test with a defined audience or community.
Regional adaptation
A concept adapted to the needs and context of a specific region.
Digital campaign
A concept translated into a digital-first public-health campaign.
Future cohort toolkit
A concept that becomes a learning resource for future cohorts.
Further development or testing
A concept that continues to evolve through iteration and feedback.
Prizes & recognition categories
University Cohort
Five interdisciplinary teams competing across the full sixteen-week programme.
1st Place
- Award
- 1,000,000 RWF, plus full support to fully develop and launch a 3-month campaign.
- Recognition
- 1st-place team trophy, custom hoodies, and certificates.
- Eligibility
- Internship eligibility.
- Condition
- —
2nd Place
- Award
- 500,000 RWF.
- Recognition
- Silver medals, t-shirts, and certificates.
- Eligibility
- Internship eligibility.
- Condition
- —
3rd Place
- Award
- 250,000 RWF.
- Recognition
- Individual ribbons, t-shirts, and certificates.
- Eligibility
- Internship eligibility.
- Condition
- —
4th Place
- Award
- Participation recognition.
- Recognition
- T-shirts and certificates.
- Eligibility
- Internship eligibility.
- Condition
- —
5th Place
- Award
- Participation recognition.
- Recognition
- T-shirts and certificates.
- Eligibility
- Internship eligibility.
- Condition
- —
Secondary School Cohort
Paused for the school break after Week 10 and continuing on return.
1st Place
- Award
- 1,000,000 RWF, plus full support to fully develop and launch a 3-month campaign.
- Recognition
- 1st-place team trophy, custom hoodies, and certificates.
- Eligibility
- Internship eligibility.
- Condition
- After completing secondary school.
2nd Place
- Award
- 500,000 RWF.
- Recognition
- Silver medals, t-shirts, and certificates.
- Eligibility
- Internship eligibility.
- Condition
- After completing secondary school.
3rd Place
- Award
- 250,000 RWF.
- Recognition
- Individual ribbons, t-shirts, and certificates.
- Eligibility
- Internship eligibility.
- Condition
- After completing secondary school.
4th Place
- Award
- Participation recognition.
- Recognition
- T-shirts and certificates.
- Eligibility
- Internship eligibility.
- Condition
- After completing secondary school.
5th Place
- Award
- Participation recognition.
- Recognition
- T-shirts and certificates.
- Eligibility
- Internship eligibility.
- Condition
- After completing secondary school.
Prize details to be announced
Prize details and recognition categories will be announced as the competition progresses.