We are looking for young women who demonstrate uncommon grit, persistence and commitment to improving conditions for herself and others. She is on the front lines of turning oppression into opportunity for women and girls in her community through her ingenuity, passion, creativity and/or leadership. Her work will demonstrate powerful momentum, or potential, that—if realized and amplified—will activate a tipping point for women and girls in her community, even her country and ultimately, worldwide. We are looking for young women who will inspire others to join the worldwide movement for change.

Nominees for the 2013 Students Rebuild Awards must be selected by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) affiliated with Half the Sky Movement. Each NGO can submit up to three (3) nominations/award candidates. NGOs are welcome to nominate women who appeared in the Half the Sky Movement film.

Nominations will be made exclusively through a secure, online nomination form available on the Students Rebuild website November 28, 2012 through midnight Pacific Standard Time, February 18, 2013.

Nominees will be judged on the following criteria:

• Nominees must be a resident and citizen of the following countries, featured in the film: Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide:

  • Sierra Leone
  • Cambodia
  • Somaliland
  • India
  • Kenya
• The nominee must be a female between the ages of 18 and 28 years old.
• The nominee must be integrally involved for at least one year in a current, on-going community project or community need with the potential to grow and / or that could serve as a best practice or model of excellence for others.
• The nominee must be making a significant difference in her community. Her efforts (e.g. mentoring, writing a computer program) are making tangible, positive change in the lives of girls and women.
• The nominee must be passionate, knowledgeable about her community and must have community buy-in and ongoing support of her efforts.
• The nominee must be committed to using the award winnings to maintain or expand her community work. Award funds must be applied directly to the project and are restricted from personal use.
• For at least 12 months after funds are awarded, the nominee must commit to providing brief monthly updates (e.g. a blog post, letter, e-mail or photos) with the help of the NGO, about how the project is progressing.

• The nominee must have the full support of an NGO that will:

  1. accept and steward the funds on behalf of the winner for up to a year after awards are distributed and
  2. assist the winner in sending monthly updates to describe how her project is progressing.

• Nominees must provide a photo and a compelling, inspiring first person essay (no more than 1,000 words) that describes:

  1. the work she is doing and why
  2. what she would do with the award winnings and
  3. her dream or wish for how a global community can provide support (e.g. mentoring, letters, e-mails) to help her achieve her goals.

  Statements in the nominee's native language will be accepted; translation resources will be provided to NGOs as needed.

• Nominees must provide at least two reference letters from their communities. Examples of references are colleagues, academic sources or beneficiaries of the nominee's work. One reference letter from the NGO making the nomination is acceptable. References from persons related to nominees are not accepted.