Applications are now open for the 2025 Commonwealth Peace Prize. The Commonwealth Peace Prize will be awarded to a distinguished peace-builder with a strong track record of faith-based engagement in conflict resolution, promotion of social cohesion, and sustainable peace. The prize organised and delivered by the Khalili Foundation in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat, is a part of the Commonwealth Faith Festival and Faith in the Commonwealth Initiative.
Application Deadline: Â 17 January 2025
Objectives
- build capacity and amplify awareness about impactful youth-led and intergenerational partnerships that promote peace across the diverse geographical, cultural, religious and ethnic groups in the Commonwealth
- promote dialogue and innovative peacebuilding methods to support greater harmony across the Commonwealth
Eligibility criteria
Institutions are not eligible to receive the Prize.
The winner of the Prize will be a living, distinguished and long-serving individual/ Commonwealth citizen over the age of 30 who:
- is considered a respected and trusted broker between conflicting parties, with a strong and lengthy track record of successful peacebuilding in Commonwealth societies;
- has built sustainable mechanisms, institutions or processes for dialogue which have, based on objective evaluation, contributed to a definitive end to conflict, lasting peace, social cohesion, or other observed positive change;
- has, in the pursuit of those efforts, consistently used their significant influence to promote the Commonwealth values of tolerance, respect, understanding, moderation, celebration of cultural, racial, ethnic diversity and religious freedom; and
- has used principles of religious faith and/or faith in the Commonwealth Charter to create positive and sustainable peace towards the aim of free and democratic societies and inclusive development.
Nomination requirements
- Nominations open on International Peace Day, 21 September 2024, and close on 17 January 2025
- Only member governments, through their High Commissions in London or non-resident High Commissioners or accredited officials to the Commonwealth, and
- Heads of Commonwealth Accredited Organisations are eligible to submit official nominations.
- Nominations must be submitted to the Commonwealth Secretariat by email to PeacePrize@commonwealth.int and be received by 23:59 GMT on 17 January 2025.
- Nominations must be submitted as an official letter of recommendation, including an impact biography of the candidate, which outlines how the candidate meets all the specified criteria.
Selection Process:
- A Commonwealth Peace Prize Committee under the banner of the Commonwealth Faith Festival project will prepare the first shortlist for consideration by a panel of judges.
- A high-level panel of judges will select a winner in February 2025
- The Secretary-General will announce the winner during Commonwealth Week in 2025 at a special ceremony.
- The winner will be presented with a citation and a letter of award outlining a financial award of £50,000 to be used to continue their work.
- The final shortlist of candidates will not be published. However, candidates from the shortlist may be invited to participate in Commonwealth Faith Festival activities.
