Youth Trailblazer Award

• Eligible young leaders should apply using this online application form.
• All applicants are encouraged to view the full ICFP 2025 Youth Trailblazer Application Guidelines in EN, FR, and ES.
• Please note that this is a video award contest as described in the application guidelines.

The deadline for full submission of applications is 20 May 2024, 11:59 pm EDT, including video uploading (The deadline has been extended from the previous date of 6 May 2024).

The ICFP 2025 Youth Summit will take place in Bogotá, Colombia on 1–3 November 2025. The full ICFP 2025 conference will take place in Bogotá, Colombia on 3–6 November 2025. Youth who are sponsored via the ICFP 2025 Youth Trailblazer Award will be expected to participate in at least one ICFP Subcommittee leading up to the conference, the ICFP Youth Summit, and the 2025 ICFP.

• Check out video examples from past Youth Trailblazer Award winners here.
• Meet the 2022 ICFP Youth Trailblazer Award winners.

Young leaders awarded the ICFP 2025 Youth Trailblazer Award will receive a full sponsorship to attend the ICFP conference in Bogotá, Colombia. This includes registration to attend the ICFP Youth Summit on 1–3 November 2025 and ICFP conference on 3–6 November 2025, accommodations, and a stipend for meals.

ICFP 2025 is scheduled to take place in person in Bogotá, Colombia on 3–6 November 2025. The 2025 ICFP Youth Trailblazer Award winners will be sponsored to attend the conference in person. As a condition of this award, winners will be required to abide by any and all regulations set by conference organizers, including protocols related to COVID-19. The ICFP Secretariat will assist all winners, to the best of its ability, to meet any ICFP participation requirements set forth by the government of Colombia, the international travel industry, and ICFP conference organizers. If a winner is unable to abide by the regulations, they may participate in the conference virtually.

If, for any reason beyond the ICFP Secretariat’s control, the 2025 ICFP cannot take place in person, ICFP Youth Trailblazer Award winners will participate virtually in the conference.

Winners will be notified and announced in June 2024.

Yes, you will receive an electronic certificate for your participation after the ICFP 2025 conference.

As an applicant, you have the option to choose “other” and will be able list out up to three skills you have that have to do with family planning or sexual and reproductive health and rights. If you feel you do not have enough experience but want to gain some of those skills, please explain more in the open-ended question about ICFP and your skills.

The ICFP International Steerng Committee (ISC) Subcommittees are the organized groups of community members who plan focused ICFP events and various other conference elements on specialized topics. Youth Trailblazers join these subcommittees soon after they are formed to help plan and implement ICFP activities. Trailblazers will have the choice to hear about each subcommittee before committing to one, though the selections made on the initial Trailblazer application will be taken into consideration.

Here is the list of the current ICFP 2025 subcommittees:

1. Advocacy & Accountability
2. Communications
3. Demographic Dividend
4. Faith
5. Humanitarian & Crisis Settings
6. Population, Health, and Environment
7. Private Sector
8. Program Implementation
9. Scientific
10. Shifting Power and Advancing Equity in Global Health
11. Youth

Please email Youth@theICFP.org explaining your situation. In extreme cases, we will accept videos via WhatsApp if all other methods fail.

Yes, you must upload your submission video to the internet (either via YouTube or Vimeo) and share the link in your online application form. You will have to make the video publicly available or unlisted and downloadable so that when you submit the URL, we can access your video. If you create a password for your video, please let us know what the password is.

Create a free account on YouTube or Vimeo using the links below:

• YouTube
• Vimeo

The purpose of the video submission is to highlight your experience with family planning and sexual and reproductive health, your creativity, and your ability to successfully convey an effective, powerful message to an audience. You may use photos or other graphics, but you must also speak during the video.

The submission must be your original work. You, the applicant, must hold all rights to the submission including the copyright. You may get assistance from organizations or individuals (e.g., for equipment and production) but the actual video must depict your unique qualifications for this award.

Check out video examples from past Youth Trailblazer Award winners here.

In-depth audio/video equipment is not needed to create a high-quality, successful submission video. Applicants can use devices like mobile phones or computer webcams to film their video.

If you do not have access to equipment or cannot for other reasons create a video, please email Youth@theICFP.org. Attempts will be made to connect you with local organizations or other sources of support. You may also be able to use existing material such as recorded speeches; however, it is encouraged that new material is added that specifically relates to the conference application.

The average length of videos is two (2) minutes.

The video submission must be at least one (1) minute and may not exceed three (3) minutes in length. Your video should be no more than three (3) minutes. Please ensure clarity of video, image, and sound in the submission for ease of visibility on multiple screen types.

ICFP 2025 Youth Trailblazer Award applications (including video submission) will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

1. Communication Skills

• How well does the applicant communicate their message in the video?
• Are they able to convey their ideas with clarity, passion, and persuasion?

2. Creativity and Engagement

• How creatively does the applicant present their message in the video?
• Does the video capture the audience’s attention and leave a lasting impact through innovative storytelling or presentation techniques?

3. Showcasing Experience as a Young Leader

• Does the video effectively showcase the applicant’s experience and contributions as a youth leader in the family planning and reproductive health field?
• Do they highlight their unique experiences and accomplishments in a compelling and engaging manner?

4. Vision for AYSRHR Advancements

• How well does the applicant articulate their vision for advancements or changes in adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health and rights (AYSRHR) that they would like to see promoted or discussed at ICFP 2025?
• Are their ideas specific, impactful, and forward-thinking?

5. Innovative Approaches

• How effectively does the applicant articulate their plans to incorporate innovative approaches into their proposed contribution to the 2025 ICFP?
• Are their ideas for leveraging advancements in digital health, social media advocacy, virtual engagement, or other tools clear and impactful?

6. Skills and Expertise

• Does the applicant provide a clear description of the skills they believe they can bring to the 2025 ICFP?
• Are these skills relevant and aligned with the needs of the conference, such as FPNN reporting, plenary speaking, panelist roles, facilitation, storytelling, etc.?
• Do they showcase confidence in fulfilling these roles?

You may participate as an abstract presenter. Abstract submission guidelines will be available closer to the ICFP 2025 conference date. Subscribe to the ICFP newsletter here to stay updated on the latest news and happenings (including information on topics like abstracts).