The Charlie Young Foundation is proud to celebrate a significant milestone as our Founder and Executive Director, Charlie Young, was honoured with the Youth Empowerment Champion Excellence Award at the Nova Excellence Awards 2026.
This prestigious recognition celebrates individuals whose leadership, innovation, and dedication are transforming the lives of young people and creating lasting impact within their communities. For us, this award is more than a personal achievement—it is a celebration of every young person empowered, every community reached, every volunteer who has served, and every partner who has believed in our mission.
Turning Agriculture into Opportunity
At Charlie Young Foundation, we believe agriculture is one of the most powerful tools for addressing youth unemployment, poverty, and food insecurity.
For many years, agriculture has been viewed as a last resort. We are working to change that narrative by demonstrating that modern farming and agribusiness can create dignified employment, profitable enterprises, and sustainable livelihoods.
Through practical training, mentorship, agribusiness education, and community outreach, we empower young people to see agriculture as a business, a profession, and a pathway to self-reliance.
Our vision is simple yet powerful: to inspire a generation of job creators rather than job seekers.
Building Stronger Communities
Our work extends beyond agriculture. Charlie Young Foundation supports initiatives that promote education, youth leadership, environmental sustainability, and community resilience. We believe that empowering young people with knowledge, skills, and opportunities creates stronger families, healthier communities, and a more prosperous future.
Every project we implement is guided by our belief that sustainable development begins by investing in people.
What This Award Means
Receiving the Youth Empowerment Champion Excellence Award is a reminder that meaningful change begins with a clear vision and consistent action.
This recognition strengthens our commitment to expand our programmes, reach more underserved communities, and continue creating opportunities where they are needed most.
Most importantly, it inspires us to work even harder to ensure that no young person is left behind because of limited opportunities.
Gratitude to Our Supporters
We dedicate this award to every individual and organisation that has supported our journey.
To our volunteers, staff, mentors, community leaders, supporters, donors, development partners, and friends—thank you for believing in our mission. Your encouragement, generosity, and collaboration continue to make our work possible.
Together, we are proving that lasting community transformation is achieved through partnership.
Looking Ahead
This recognition marks the beginning of an even greater chapter for Charlie Young Foundation.
We remain committed to expanding youth empowerment programmes, promoting climate-smart agriculture, supporting education, mentoring young entrepreneurs, and strengthening food security through sustainable agricultural solutions.
We also welcome new partnerships with organisations, businesses, philanthropists, and development agencies that share our vision of empowering young people and transforming communities through agriculture.
Together, we can cultivate hope, create opportunities, and build a future where every young person has the chance to succeed.
At Charlie Young Foundation, we are not just growing crops—we are growing leaders, transforming communities, and cultivating a better future for generations to come.