Building Solutions from the Ground Up: Ghana’s Gabriel Domoninge Wins the 2026 AFS Award for Young Global Citizens

Gabriel Domoninge, a visionary young leader from Ghana, was honored as the winner of the 2026 AFS Award for Young Global Citizens at the 31st AFS Youth Assembly in Geneva. Proudly sponsored by DHL, this prestigious award recognizes extraordinary young people who are taking innovative action to create a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world. Gabriel was selected for his groundbreaking work with STEM For All, a grassroots initiative equipping students in low-resource schools with the practical skills needed to tackle local climate and energy challenges.

STEM For All: Empowering the Next Generation of Problem Solvers

STEM For All provides low-cost, hands-on Climate and Renewable Energy STEM Kits tailored specifically for low-resource educational settings. By building and testing real-world solutions using mini solar panels and electronics, students gain vital, practical problem-solving skills.

The initiative was born in the Upper West Region of Ghana from a simple but profound belief: that every child deserves the opportunity to build something real, rather than just reading about it.

A Validation of Grassroots Innovation

For Gabriel, winning the AFS Award is a testament to the power of community-driven solutions. “Winning the AFS Award for Young Global Citizens means that the work we are doing in Ghanaian classrooms, in communities that climate change is already reshaping, is being seen and validated at the highest level,” he shares.

With the support and platform provided by this DHL-sponsored award, STEM For All is poised to reach even more classrooms. “This award tells us that belief is worth fighting for,” Gabriel adds. “It is proof that solutions built from the ground up, by young people who grew up in the communities they serve, can stand on the world stage and win.”

Connecting with Global Changemakers at the Youth Assembly

The AFS Youth Assembly is a global platform that brings together young leaders, social innovators, and advocates aged 18–35 to drive sustainable development through intercultural exchange, education, and collective action. Held from August 12 to 14, 2026, at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters and in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research in Geneva, Switzerland, the 31st session convened delegates from around the world under the theme “Rise. Reimagine. Rebuild: A World for All.”

A core highlight of the gathering was the presentation of the AFS Award for Young Global Citizens, during which six exceptional finalists pitched their community-driven solutions directly to an international jury of global experts and decision-makers before Gabriel Domoninge was named this year’s winner. The jury was composed of the following members:

Daniel Obst, AFS Intercultural Programs
Helmut Schuster, AFS Youth Assembly Global Advisory Council
Suba Umathevan, ICRC Assembly Member
Zeeshan Suhail, Nestlé
Chiara Valdesolo, The Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria
Richard Magid, Soundboard Impact Foundation
Elise Buckle, Climate Bridges

AFS Youth Assembly delegates aged 18–35 who serve as verified leaders of their initiatives were eligible for the AFS Award. To qualify, projects had to be currently active, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and show proven success in uniting diverse communities to address global challenges. Submissions operate at a local, regional, or global scope, but they all demonstrate documented impact and clear potential for future scaling. Based on this criteria, six finalists were identified:

Olusemiloore Atere, Nigeria for Asido Campus Network
Zainab Alshaber, Saudi Arabia for Phys
Gabriel Domoninge, Ghana for STEM For All
Elizabeth Quishpi, United Kingdom for Empower LATAM UK
Jennifer Eloundou, Cameroon & France for Akuma Reading Rooms
Aramide Kayode, Nigeria for Talent Mine Academy

Meet all AFS Award finalists.

Gabriel’s experience at the AFS Youth Assembly in Geneva further fueled his mission. When asked what he enjoyed most about the event, he emphasized the incredible caliber and authenticity of his peers.

“What struck me most was the quality of the people in the room. Every finalist was solving a real problem, in a real community, with genuine evidence behind them. There was no gap between what people said and what they were actually doing,” he reflects.

The AFS Youth Assembly served as a unique space for shared learning and solidarity. “The conversations between sessions were as valuable as the sessions themselves—sharing challenges, swapping ideas, and realizing that the obstacles we face in Ghana are felt by young leaders everywhere. Being in Geneva, at the World Health Organization, surrounded by that energy made the work feel urgent and possible at the same time.”

Advice for Aspiring Young Leaders

As the winner of the AFS Award, Gabriel is now in a unique position to offer advice and guidance to other young changemakers looking to make an impact. He advises to begin by deeply understanding local needs and treating community members as equal partners rather than mere beneficiaries. He emphasizes starting small with practical solutions and carefully documenting results to let real evidence drive the project’s credibility. Ultimately, staying connected to a community’s feedback loop provides the resilience needed to turn modest initial efforts into far-reaching global impact.

Joining a Legacy of Global Citizens

Gabriel joins an inspiring and diverse legacy of changemakers who have been recognized for their exceptional contributions to society. Past winners of the AFS Award for Young Global Citizens include: