Bangladeshi youth leader Ahmed Fahmi has emerged as a regional finalist for Asia in the 2026 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work, earning international recognition for his work on climate resilience and community-led development.
His name features among 20 finalists selected from across the Commonwealth’s five regions after a highly competitive process that attracted 977 applications from 56 member states, according to a Commonwealth press release.
The selection followed a two-stage judging process involving 57 pan-Commonwealth adjudicators, who evaluated initiatives based on scale, sustainability and measurable impact aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Fahmi works at the intersection of climate resilience and grassroots action as Executive Director of the Give Bangladesh Foundation and coordinator of Project Oxygen, a nationwide volunteer-driven initiative focused on climate-vulnerable communities.
Under his leadership, Project Oxygen has planted more than 153,600 trees in coastal and climate-affected areas, while supporting over 500,000 people through livelihood support, access to safe drinking water, healthcare services and improved disaster response capacity.
The initiative mobilises youth volunteers across the country, blending environmental restoration with community engagement to strengthen preparedness in regions frequently hit by cyclones, flooding and salinity intrusion.
The Commonwealth Youth Awards recognise young social entrepreneurs, climate advocates, innovators and health leaders who are driving change at the community level, offering international exposure, access to global networks and financial support to scale their work.
Congratulating the finalists, Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey said young people must be at the forefront of shaping solutions, stressing that their research, innovation and voices are vital to building a future that addresses poverty, climate justice and access to education across the Commonwealth.
She said platforms such as the Youth Awards are designed to recognise, nurture and celebrate young changemakers by placing their efforts on a global stage.
The winners will be announced on 11 March at a ceremony at Marlborough House in London, the headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat, with the event livestreamed as part of Commonwealth Day celebrations.
All finalists will receive a £1,000 grant, a trophy and a certificate, while five regional winners will receive an additional £2,000, and one finalist will be named Commonwealth Young Person of the Year with a total prize of £5,000.
Fahmi’s shortlisting underlines the growing global recognition of Bangladesh’s youth-led efforts in climate action and sustainable development.
