Allianz and Social Shifters
Applications are open for the Allianz MoveNow Social Innovation Challenge 2026, a global initiative supporting young innovators who are developing practical solutions to social and environmental challenges. The challenge is organised through a partnership between Allianz and Social Shifters, with the aim of helping young entrepreneurs turn ideas into impactful ventures that improve lives and strengthen communities.
The competition is open to young founders aged 18 to 30 from anywhere in the world. It welcomes youth led startups, projects and ventures that address clearly defined problems, particularly those affecting underserved communities. Successful applicants can compete for a share of US$90,000 in grant funding, alongside opportunities for business mentorship, learning resources and access to a global network of changemakers.
The 2026 challenge focuses on three major areas: financial confidence in the digital economy, equality in health ecosystems, and community led climate resilience. These categories reflect the programme's commitment to supporting innovative solutions that respond to real community needs and create measurable social impact.
The Allianz MoveNow Social Innovation Challenge is designed to help young people transform their commitment to social change into practical and sustainable solutions. Through the collaboration between Allianz and Social Shifters, the initiative supports entrepreneurs who understand the challenges facing their communities and are developing ways to address them.
The challenge recognises that effective social innovation can emerge from different settings, including local communities, universities, rural areas and urban centres. Rather than focusing exclusively on established businesses, it seeks youth led initiatives with a clear purpose, a defined social or environmental problem and the potential to demonstrate meaningful results.
The programme also connects applicants with opportunities to develop their entrepreneurial skills and engage with a wider community of innovators. Finalists receive additional support as they prepare to advance their ventures.
Selected founders and eligible applicants can access the following benefits:
• A total grant funding pool of US$90,000 distributed across three award categories.
• One award of US$10,000 in each category.
• Four additional awards of US$5,000 in each category.
• Access to exclusive founder and startup learning materials.
• Business mentorship from Allianz for finalist founders.
• Opportunities to strengthen business development and innovation skills.
• Access to the Social Shifters global opportunities network.
• Potential access to additional grant opportunities, paid work and training through Social Shifters.
Each category has a total allocation of US$30,000, divided among five award recipients. The challenge provides both financial support and opportunities for founders to develop their ideas further.
Applicants must align their projects with one of the three award categories.
This category supports solutions that help entrepreneurs and small and medium sized enterprises start, grow and sustain their businesses. Projects may focus on digital financial tools, financial knowledge, accessible services and skills that help people make informed financial decisions in an evolving digital economy.
This category focuses on improving equality within health ecosystems. It supports solutions addressing gaps in health research, healthcare services and diagnostics, particularly those affecting women and marginalised groups.
Community led initiatives and technology enabled approaches that improve access, representation and health outcomes are especially relevant.
This category supports solutions that help vulnerable communities prepare for and respond to climate change. Projects may address early warning systems, resilient livelihoods, local adaptation and the use of technology alongside community knowledge to strengthen resilience in rural and urban settings.
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
• Be between 18 and 30 years old.
• Be based anywhere in the world.
• Be a founder or leader with clear decision making authority over the startup, venture or project.
• Address a clearly defined social or environmental challenge.
• Develop a solution intended to benefit underserved communities.
• Demonstrate the potential for measurable social outputs and impact.
• Show a clear connection between the proposed solution and at least one of the three challenge categories.
• Consider inclusive design and accessibility for people with diverse needs.
• Demonstrate responsible and ethical use of technology and personal data where applicable.
Solutions developed with and for underserved communities are prioritised. Applicants are encouraged to explain how their ideas respond to the experiences and needs of the people they intend to serve.
Applicants should be prepared to provide information about their startup, project or proposed solution. Based on the published challenge information, relevant details include:
• A description of the social or environmental problem being addressed.
• An explanation of the proposed solution and its intended beneficiaries.
• The challenge category that best matches the project.
• Information about the founder or founding team and their decision making responsibilities.
• Evidence of existing or expected social impact, including measurable outputs where available.
• An explanation of how the solution serves underserved communities.
• Details of how technology, accessibility and responsible data use are considered, where relevant.
Applicants should consult the official application platform for the complete submission questions and any additional requirements.
Allianz and Social Shifters
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