14 Global Nonprofit Challenges for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in social change, participating in global nonprofit challenges can help you understand how organizations address problems in the world. These challenges focus on issues such as education, poverty, public health, or climate action, and they give you a chance to apply your ideas in a practical setting.
As a participant, you will often work in teams, research global problems, and design solutions that could be implemented by nonprofits. You might also receive mentorship from professionals in the space. This experience can teach you how nonprofits plan, communicate, and manage impact-driven projects. Taking part in such challenges can also strengthen your college applications, personal statements, and CV. It shows that you can think independently, work across cultures, and use creativity to solve problems that matter.
To help you explore, here are 14 global nonprofit challenges for high school students!
15 Global Nonprofit Challenges for High School Students
1. Conrad Challenge
Location: Virtual + Power Pitch Summit in-person, U.S.
Participation Fee: Free to start; fees apply in later stages; financial aid available.
Dates: August – April, and Power Pitch Stage: April 22–25
Application Deadline: August–October
Eligibility: Open to students ages 13–18 working in teams of 2–5 from any country
The Conrad Challenge is a global innovation competition where you work in a team to design entrepreneurial solutions to real-world problems. You participate in teams of two to five and begin by selecting a challenge category such as aerospace, cybersecurity, energy, or health. You then develop a business idea and build a Lean Canvas to outline your model. You also prepare an Innovation Brief, create a simple website, and record a pitch video. Throughout the process, you receive access to mentorship and guides that help you refine your project. If your team is selected as a finalist, you present your idea at the Innovation Summit. Finalists compete for recognition as Pete Conrad Scholars and may receive scholarships and awards.
2. Diamond Challenge
Location: Virtual rounds; finalists attend the Limitless World Summit in Newark, Delaware, U.S.
Participation Fee: Free
Dates: September to April; Summit typically held in late April
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18, working in teams of 2 to 4
The Diamond Challenge is an international entrepreneurship competition for high school students. It lets you build and pitch ideas that solve business or social problems. You can choose between two tracks: Business Innovation or Social Innovation. You start by submitting a written concept and a short pitch video. If your idea moves ahead, you’ll present again in the Semi-Finals and then in the Global Top 3 round before a panel of entrepreneurs, educators, and nonprofit leaders.
Throughout the challenge, you get access to workshops, mentorship, and online tools to improve your project. Finalists attend the Global Summit in Delaware, where they also take part in networking and leadership sessions. Winners receive cash awards that can be used to grow their ventures or cover education costs.
3. World Series of Innovation (WSI) – Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)
Location: Virtual
Participation Fee: Free
Dates: Challenges open September 9; submissions due by January 12
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Students ages 13–24 from any country
The World Series of Innovation is a global competition hosted by NFTE where you design solutions to real-world problems linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. You can enter from anywhere and choose from themed challenges sponsored by major companies or nonprofits, and topics include climate action, financial literacy, and social equity. You submit your idea online, supported by digital toolkits and design thinking guides. The challenge focuses on creativity, problem-solving, and building solutions that show measurable impact. Winners receive cash prizes and visibility, with top projects often featured on NFTE’s platforms.
3. World of 8 Billion Student Video Challenge – Population Connection
Location: Virtual, with global recognition
Participation Fee: Free
Dates: September to October 31; winners typically announced in spring
Application Deadline: October 31
Eligibility: Middle school (grades 6–8) and high school (grades 9–12) students worldwide
The World of 8 Billion Student Video Challenge invites middle and high school students worldwide to create a one-minute video linking global population growth to issues like energy, wetlands, or economics. You must highlight a sustainable solution and explain how population trends impact your chosen topic. The contest provides clear guidelines and topic resources, making it beginner-friendly. Videos are judged by issue area, with awards at state, regional, and global levels. High school winners receive $1,200 for first place, $600 for second, and $300 for honorable mention.
4. Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition
Location: Virtual (global competition)
Participation Fee: Free
Dates: Registration open year-round; Submission Deadline: February 22; Top 100 in April; Finals in May
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12 or equivalent) worldwide, competing solo or in teams of up to 5
The Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition is a global virtual contest for high school students. You can join individually or with a team from anywhere in the world. The challenge asks you to identify a real-world problem and create a “blue ocean” business idea that opens new market space instead of competing in existing ones. To help you prepare, the organizers share a short course, pitch templates, and past winning examples. You then submit a five-minute video explaining your idea, business model, and potential impact. Judges assess creativity, feasibility, and how well your idea follows blue ocean strategy principles. The competition also includes a popular choice award based on YouTube votes. Winners receive prize money, certificates, and global recognition, while everyone who submits a project earns a Certificate of Participation.
5. Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (GYEC)
Location: Virtual (Preliminary and Global Finals)
Participation Fee: 10,000 yen (fee waivers available)
Dates: Preliminary Round: April 12; Global Final: May 17
Application Deadline: March 21 (Japan Time)
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18 in teams of 3–8
The Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (GYEC) is a 12-hour international competition where high school students design business solutions to global problems. On competition day, your team receives a prompt related to topics like sustainability, social welfare, or education. You then have 12 hours to prepare a two-page summary and a three-minute video pitch in English. The challenge builds teamwork, time management, and the ability to link technical and business ideas to real-world needs. Teams compete first at the national level, and top performers advance to the global finals. Judges review projects based on creativity, financial planning, marketing, and communication. Winners earn a trophy and a certificate, while all teams receive feedback and a participation certificate.
6. GENIUS Olympiad – Terra Science and Education / Rochester Institute of Technology
Location: Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York, U.S.
Participation Fee: $50 per project application; $600 per finalist participant
Dates: Finals: June 9–13; application submission closes March 10; U.S./EU fair deadline April 16
Application Deadline: March 10 (international); April 16 (U.S./EU)
Eligibility: High school students worldwide
The GENIUS Olympiad is an international competition hosted by the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. You can take part in different categories such as science, art, entrepreneurship, coding, robotics, short film, music, speech, and AI. Your project should link an environmental problem with a creative or technical solution. After the review process, selected finalists are invited to present their work in person at the GENIUS Finals. The event also includes cultural exchanges, lectures by experts, and networking with students from other countries. Finalists can also join trips to places like Washington, D.C., New York City, and nearby universities, combining academic experience with cultural exposure.
7. SAGE World Cup – Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship
Location: Rotates globally (Last host country: Georgia)
Participation Fee: Varies by country/qualifier
Dates: World Cup: August (with national/regional qualifiers held earlier)
Application Deadline: Varies by national chapter; typically spring
Eligibility: High school students worldwide working in teams
The SAGE World Cup is a global entrepreneurship competition where high school students present businesses or nonprofit ventures that create social impact. It’s open to student teams from across the world and focuses on solving issues such as sustainability, poverty, and community development. You and your team prepare a business plan, outline your impact strategy, and present measurable results to judges that include entrepreneurs, academics, and nonprofit leaders. Each year, the event is hosted in a different country, giving participants a chance to experience new cultures and share ideas on a global stage. The last edition took place in Georgia, with teams from more than 30 countries participating. Winners receive trophies, international recognition, and mentorship opportunities.
8. Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition (CEC) – Entrepreneurship Campus
Location: Virtual (global)
Participation Fee: Free
Dates: Submissions open in spring; winners announced in fall
Application Deadline: March–May (varies by year)
Eligibility: Students ages 13+ worldwide; high schoolers can apply individually or in teams
The Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition (CEC) is a global online challenge that invites young people to design business ideas supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The competition takes place in three stages. First, you submit your idea with a short pitch. Next, selected participants complete online training and create an Entrepreneurial Design Canvas. Finally, the top 10 ideas, based on votes and jury evaluation, move to the final round. Through the Entrepreneurship Campus, you get access to online courses, mentorship, and forums where you can exchange feedback with participants from more than 140 countries.
9. The Paradigm Challenge
Location: Virtual + Prize Ceremony in Los Angeles, U.S.
Participation Fee: Free
Dates: Submissions accepted year-round; Final Deadline: May 1
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students ages 4–18 worldwide; high school division covers ages 14–18
The Paradigm Challenge is a global competition that encourages students to create practical solutions to issues like home fire safety, waste reduction, health, food security, and biodiversity. You can submit your idea in any format, such as a poster, video, app, invention, event, or campaign. Judges assess each project for originality, feasibility, teamwork, and impact. At least 100 finalists are chosen each year, and top winners can receive up to $100,000 in scholarship prizes. High school finalists may also earn a fully funded trip to Los Angeles for the red-carpet awards event, which includes cultural visits and media coverage.
10. Enactus World Cup
Location: Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok, Thailand
Participation Fee: Free
Dates: September 25–28
Application Deadline: Tentatively August
Eligibility: High school and college teams affiliated with Enactus chapters, presenting operational entrepreneurial projects
The Enactus World Cup is an international competition where youth teams present ventures that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Teams showcase projects that are already operating and creating measurable social, economic, or environmental impact. Judges evaluate both the idea and its real-world results. Each year, the event is hosted in a different country. The next edition will be in Bangkok, Thailand, under the theme “Generation: Re,” focusing on regeneration, restoration, and future innovation. Alongside the competition, you can attend workshops, leadership sessions, and the Sustainability Expo to connect with peers, experts, and impact investors. Winners gain recognition as leaders in youth social entrepreneurship.
12. DECA Competitive Events – International Career Development Conference (ICDC)
Location: International Career Development Conference (rotates annually)
Participation Fee: Varies by chapter and event registration
Dates: September – April (ICDC finals in late April)
Application Deadline: Fall registration through school DECA chapters
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in DECA chapters worldwide
DECA’s Competitive Events Program is a global platform where high school students apply business, marketing, and leadership skills to hands-on challenges. Competitions include role-play scenarios, case studies, and prepared projects, many connected to nonprofit or social impact work. For the latest season, the Business Operations Research event asks teams to work with a local business or nonprofit to create a corporate social responsibility strategy using customer feedback. Other events focus on solutions for nonprofit staffing, sustainability, or community engagement. You start at local and state contests, with top performers advancing to the International Career Development Conference, which gathers thousands of students globally.
13. Global Social Leaders (GSL) Global Goals Competition – Future Foundations
Location: Virtual + GSL Festival (London, U.K.)
Participation Fee: Membership-based (schools must be GSL Member Schools)
Dates: September – June (Final Submission: May; Festival: June 12)
Application Deadline: February (feedback submission); May (final report)
Eligibility: Students ages 11–17 at GSL Member Schools; teams of 3–7
The GSL Global Goals Competition is an international program where students design and run social action projects linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Teams of three to seven work over several months to research, plan, and carry out projects in areas such as climate, education, or health. Along the way, you get online training, masterclasses, and feedback from GSL mentors. The competition has multiple phases: planning, implementation, awareness-building, and final submission. Teams document their work with photos, videos, press releases, or blogs, some of which are featured on the GSL website. Awards are given in Junior (11–14) and Senior (15–17) categories, with special recognition for creativity, resilience, or sustainability.
14. Hult Prize
Location: Global (Qualifiers at schools and online; Accelerator in London; Finals in New York, U.S.)
Participation Fee: Free
Dates: September – September (Qualifiers: Sept–Feb; Finals: September)
Application Deadline: Fall (varies by region and pathway)
Eligibility: Primarily university students, but open application and youth divisions allow advanced high school teams to participate
The Hult Prize is a year-long international competition that asks students to launch startups tackling global challenges such as food security or climate change. The program has five stages: campus or open qualifiers, national rounds, a digital incubator, the Global Accelerator in London, and the Global Finals in New York. You gain mentorship, incubator resources, and access to investor networks while refining your business model. The winning team receives $1 million in seed funding to scale their venture. The Hult Prize focuses on for-profit startups with measurable social impact, combining entrepreneurship with social innovation. Teams develop market-ready products, MVPs, and strategies that balance profit and purpose.
One more option - Young Founders Lab
If you’re looking for an incubator program that helps you build a startup in high school, consider the Young Founders Lab!
The Young Founders Lab is a start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X.
You can access the application link here!
Image Source - Hult Prize logo