JA Worldwide Announces 2025 GLC Awards Winners

November 21, 2025

Every two years, JA Worldwide honors the best of the global network with the GLC Awards. Celebrating innovation, growth, impact, creativity, and leadership, these awards recognize outstanding individuals and JA locations whose work exemplifies the JA mission. From bold tech solutions to youth advocacy, alumni engagement, and creative brand amplification, the finalists represent the best of OneJA.

Check out the inspiring 2025 GLC Awards finalists and winners below.

JA Access Award

This award recognizes JA locations that develop low-tech or no-tech learning experiences for students who don’t have reliable internet access. Finalists have demonstrated outcomes in at least one of JA’s three pillars and have at least one completed component when the nomination is made (rather than being in development or in a pilot phase).

Meet the Finalists:

  • JA Africa’s Social Equity Program, supported by the Z Zurich Foundation, empowers marginalized youth across Africa through a hybrid model of in-person boot camps, mentorship, and digital access via the JA Digital Entrepreneurship Education Program platform. Since launching in 2023, SEP has reached more than 70,000 young people and helped incubate over 4,700 social impact projects—equipping learners with entrepreneurship, employability, and financial skills. By ensuring inclusion for youth in hard-to-reach communities, SEP demonstrates how equitable access to education can unlock potential and drive community transformation.

    Learn more: SEP Impact

  • JA Americas’ 1, 2, 3 Finanzas! uses television and digital media to bring financial education directly to young people and their families in an engaging, accessible format. Complementing this, the Junior Chatbot leverages WhatsApp to deliver mobile-first microlearning experiences that reach learners where they are, with dynamic, culturally relevant content. Together, these innovations have engaged over 100,000 youth across Latin America, expanding access to practical financial education and setting a new standard for scalable, inclusive learning models.

    Learn more: 1, 2, 3 Finanzas! Case Study

  • JA Ceará’s Learning Pathway is a groundbreaking curricular model designed to integrate entrepreneurial learning into the formal education system. By aligning with Brazil’s national curriculum and local industry needs, this initiative ensures that students gain practical, future-ready skills in entrepreneurship, innovation, and financial literacy. The Learning Pathway model enhances educational relevance and prepares youth to thrive in the evolving world of work.

    Learn more.

  • Developed in partnership with Prudence Foundation and Cartoon Network, JA Philippines’ Cha-Ching program introduces children to money management through fun, story-driven learning. The initiative blends interactive classroom lessons with digital content, helping young learners understand earning, saving, spending, and donating. With its engaging approach and broad reach, Cha-Ching continues to build financial literacy foundations for thousands of Filipino students each year.

    Learn more.

  • JA Romania’s School of the Future is Coming to JA Schools expands access to quality education by providing teachers and students in rural areas with innovative learning kits and printed resources, ensuring no one is left behind due to lack of technology. The Economic Opportunities for All project supports disadvantaged high school students across ten countries with mentorship, internships, and start-up programs—enhancing employability and bridging education-to-career gaps. Meanwhile, Re-power Your Future reaches over 16,000 students in underserved communities, inspiring them to stay in school through career-oriented learning and teacher empowerment. Together, these programs showcase JA Romania’s bold commitment to equity, inclusion, and opportunity for every learner.

Winner: JA Africa

JA Bold Tech Award

This award recognizes a JA location that has developed bold-tech learning experiences for students, including virtual or augmented reality, artificial intelligence, an interactive website and app, and other immersive and innovative uses of technology. Finalists have demonstrated outcomes in at least one of JA’s three pillars and the learning experience is complete (not in development or pilot phase).

Meet the Finalists:

  • The Studio in JA Inspire redefines career-readiness education through immersive, student-driven technology. This digital environment combines 360° videos, gamified exploration, and real-time industry engagement to spark curiosity and empower learners to envision their futures. Thousands of Arizona students—regardless of location or income—have accessed The Studio’s inclusive platform, which is now inspiring replication across other JA locations. The Studio sets a new benchmark for equity, innovation, and engagement in digital learning.

  • The INJAZ Bahrain Mentorship Platform extends learning beyond the classroom by connecting ESP Company Program alumni and aspiring entrepreneurs with experienced mentors. Through personalized guidance on market knowledge, investment, and career growth, the platform bridges the gap between education and real-world application. By leveraging technology to foster mentorship at scale, it empowers youth to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship and innovation with confidence.

  • JA Europe’s Code Week has transformed digital education across the continent, reaching over 10 million youth in a single year. Partnering with 43 organizations—including Microsoft, Intel, and Accenture—Code Week introduced hands-on learning through Minecraft Education, Music Lab, and AI-powered challenges. These experiences fostered inclusion, creativity, and tech skills while scaling innovation through 20 Code Week Hubs across more than 30 countries. Code Week is now a continent-wide model for collaborative, immersive, and inclusive digital learning.

  • JA Ireland’s ByteSize and brAIn_waves programs, developed with Microsoft Dream Space, make technology education engaging, equitable, and future-focused. ByteSize introduces primary students to computational thinking through creative, unplugged activities, while brAIn_waves equips older learners with AI literacy and ethical awareness. Together, the programs form a scalable digital pathway from coding basics to generative-AI exploration, inspiring curiosity and confidence among students across Ireland.

  • In partnership with global gaming leader KRAFTON, JA Korea created Better Ground, an immersive program introducing students to the rapidly expanding game industry. Through mentorship and hands-on collaboration, participants explore design, development, and teamwork while creating original games. After its national success, Better Ground expanded to Malaysia, India, and Indonesia in 2025, with future plans across Asia Pacific and beyond—showcasing the global potential of gaming for education and innovation.

  • Moxie is a GPT-based digital mentor designed to provide on-demand, curriculum-aligned guidance for JA Company Program students. Created during OpenAI’s Nonprofit Jam Session, Moxie delivers structured coaching across entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work-readiness skills—bridging gaps when human mentors are unavailable. Its scalable, multilingual platform enhances equity and consistency while modeling how AI can personalize learning and transform mentorship across JA programs.

  • The EY STEM App, developed by EY Global Delivery Services Philippines and JA Philippines, empowers girls ages 13–18 to explore STEM careers through gamified, mobile learning. Featuring 20 interactive modules, achievement tracking, and global community engagement, the app promotes inclusion, security, and cross-cultural collaboration. With over 4,500 students and 87 schools engaged, the program is closing the gender gap in STEM by turning learning into an inspiring, tech-driven adventure.

Winner: INJAZ Bahrain

JA Brand Amplification Award

To continue amplifying JA’s brand, this award recognizes a JA location that has extended and amplified our brand most effectively, through a marketing campaign, social-media post, ad, video, booklet, report, speech, article, website, poster, or any other marketing initiative.  

The winning submission will be innovative, taking creative license with the brand while still adhering to the “fixed” elements of the JA Brand Guidelines. Submissions are eligible only if the initiative has publicly launched or posted.

Meet the Finalists:

  • JA Americas demonstrates the power of thought leadership to elevate brand recognition across Latin America. NAUFest—a youth-centered, multilingual festival—has become JA Americas’ flagship brand amplifier. The event connects thousands of young people with the future of work through hybrid experiences that engage press, corporate partners, and regional influencers, transforming JA into a cultural movement that is aspirational, visible, and trusted across the Americas.

  • JA Argentina’s nomination highlights a bold and engaging approach to storytelling that celebrates youth entrepreneurship and innovation. Through visually rich presentations, impactful social media content, and program showcases, JA Argentina amplifies awareness of its mission while connecting with audiences on both emotional and educational levels. The organization’s creative use of digital media—particularly through Instagram and multimedia summaries—has strengthened the JA brand’s visibility and resonance nationwide.

  • JA Arizona has amplified the JA brand through innovative storytelling, impactful campaigns, and community recognition initiatives such as 18 Under 18. This signature program honors young changemakers and highlights JA’s role in developing future leaders, gaining extensive media attention and public engagement. Through creative marketing, local partnerships, and digital storytelling, JA Arizona continues to expand awareness of its mission while inspiring youth empowerment across the state.

    Website: jaaz.org

  • The INJAZ Bahrain Company Program Series effectively showcases the entrepreneurial journey of young participants—from concept to competition—while amplifying the JA brand across multiple media platforms. By blending authentic storytelling with dynamic visuals, the campaign inspires student engagement and raises national awareness of INJAZ’s educational mission. The initiative’s alignment with JA’s brand standards and its strong digital presence have made it a model of creative, impactful brand amplification.

  • JA Brazil’s Conectado com o Amanhã video and updated product guidelines modernize the organization’s image, emphasizing youth employability and work-readiness in a digitally connected world.

    Watch.

  • JA Canada’s nomination centers on its strategic expansion into Canada’s three northern territories—Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut—through culturally resonant branding. Partnering with a Northern marketing agency, the organization developed localized visual and communication strategies that connect authentically with Indigenous communities while maintaining global JA brand alignment. This initiative strengthens national presence, inclusivity, and brand recognition across all regions of Canada.

  • INJAZ Oman’s Beyond Boundaries: The JA Oman Revolution campaign transformed the annual Student Companies Exhibition into a national celebration of youth entrepreneurship. Built on the creative concept of The Ripple Effect, the campaign visualizes the expanding layers of impact—from digital engagement and media reach to community transformation and global recognition. The initiative showcases a modern, bold approach to storytelling that has strengthened JA’s visibility and influence in Oman and beyond.

  • JA South Florida’s submission emphasizes innovative marketing and storytelling that spotlight the organization’s educational impact and community partnerships. Through powerful visuals and strategic media engagement, JA South Florida continues to amplify its brand, build trust with stakeholders, and inspire the next generation of changemakers. The initiative reflects excellence in communication, creativity, and alignment with the global JA mission.

Winner: Junior Achievement of Arizona (USA)

JA Growth and Impact Award

This award recognizes a JA location that has demonstrated growth in all three segments of JA learning experiences—Inspire, Prepare, Succeed (IPS)—in addition to measuring the outputs and outcomes of JA student learning experiences. Growth in output (data about student reach, contact hours, etc.) is consistent with JA’s methodology for segmenting student learning experiences via IPS. The outcome measurement should be related to the elements of JA’s four impact areas: youth entrepreneurship, employability and tech readiness, economic empowerment, and educating for future skills.

Meet the Finalists:

  • JA Africa’s Social Equity Program (SEP), supported by the Z Zurich Foundation, addresses youth unemployment by equipping marginalized young people with entrepreneurship, employability, and financial literacy skills. Through a hybrid model combining in-person boot camps, mentoring, and digital learning, SEP reaches youth in hard-to-access communities without reliable internet. Since 2023, it has impacted more than 70,000 participants and incubated over 4,700 social impact projects across Africa.

  • tGELF/JA India empowers students through leadership, entrepreneurship, and future-readiness education grounded in ethics and altruism. Since joining the JA network in 2019, the organization has expanded its national presence by building a strong social-media identity and integrating JA programs into its own innovative curricula. Its nomination highlights steady growth, impactful partnerships, and a unified strategy to amplify JA’s mission of nurturing ethical, action-oriented leaders.

  • Prestasi Junior Indonesia demonstrates measurable growth and impact by scaling programs that advance financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness nationwide. Through innovative curricula, partnerships, and digital learning tools, the organization ensures youth from diverse regions gain access to practical economic education. Its efforts have significantly expanded JA’s footprint in Indonesia, positioning it as a leading force in preparing young people for future careers.

  • JA Latvia’s nomination celebrates its exceptional growth in student reach and national recognition for entrepreneurship education. By building strong relationships with schools, policymakers, and corporate partners, the organization has expanded access to JA programs while maintaining high quality and measurable impact. Its initiatives promote innovation, inclusion, and real-world learning experiences that prepare youth for success in Latvia’s evolving economy.

  • INJAZ Oman’s Beyond Boundaries: The JA Oman Revolution transformed the annual Student Companies Exhibition into a nationwide celebration of youth entrepreneurship. Built around the creative concept The Ripple Effect, the campaign visualizes expanding layers of impact—digital engagement, global recognition, and sustainable growth. The initiative reflects a bold approach to marketing and community engagement that has amplified JA’s visibility and strengthened its reputation for innovation.

  • JA Philippines achieved remarkable growth by expanding financial literacy and entrepreneurship education nationwide through programs like Cha-Ching and the EY STEM App. These initiatives combine gamified learning, digital engagement, and corporate partnerships to inspire students to explore STEM and economic opportunity. The organization’s inclusive approach continues to empower Filipino youth to build skills for meaningful careers and community impact.

  • JA Romania’s programs—School of the Future, Economic Opportunities for All, and Re-power Your Future—collectively address educational inequality and empower disadvantaged students. Through innovative learning kits, mentorship, and career-readiness activities, the organization ensures access to quality education and practical experience for youth across rural and urban communities. Its scalable, sustainable model demonstrates leadership in promoting equity and long-term employability.

  • JA South Africa’s nomination highlights its growing national footprint and its focus on youth employability and entrepreneurship. Through impactful partnerships and innovative education programs, the organization continues to empower young South Africans to create sustainable futures. Its evidence-based approach and measurable outcomes showcase JA’s commitment to inclusive economic growth and workforce development across the region.

Winner: INJAZ Oman

JA Youth Advocacy and Alumni Impact Award

This award celebrates a JA location that co-creates exceptional projects, partnerships, and campaigns with its alumni community to elevate youth voices and leadership. The focus is not only on building and maintaining a strong, sustainable JA alumni network, but also on activating students and alumni as co-creators and leaders in initiatives that empower young people to advocate for what matters to them, take on leadership roles, and create meaningful change.

Meet the Finalists:

  • The JA Americas Alumni network has grown rapidly across the region, expanding from 6 to 13 national alumni organizations in just two years. Through initiatives such as the Capital Seed Competition, Alumni Leaders Academy, and the Americas Youth Voices campaign, the network empowers young leaders to co-create, mentor, and advocate for JA’s mission. This sustainable, youth-led model not only amplifies regional collaboration but also strengthens the role of alumni as agents of social and economic impact.

    JA Americas Alumni on Gather

  • JA Argentina Alumni leverages digital media and storytelling to strengthen alumni engagement and amplify the organization’s public presence. By spotlighting success stories and fostering youth-led advocacy on platforms like TikTok, the network has created new channels for connection and inspiration. Its creative approach celebrates alumni achievements while reinforcing JA’s mission to empower young people through visibility, innovation, and authentic community storytelling.

    JA Argentina Alumni on Gather

  • The INJAZ Bahrain Toastmasters Clubs have become a regional model for youth–alumni collaboration, communication, and leadership. In a few short years, members have gained international recognition through competitions, mentoring, and cross-cultural exchanges, demonstrating how structured public speaking and leadership programs can amplify youth voice and advocacy. The initiative not only builds confidence and professional readiness but also elevates INJAZ Bahrain’s visibility as a global leader in alumni development and youth empowerment.

    INJAZ Bahrain Alumni on Gather

  • The JA Rio Grande do Sul Alumni Network exemplifies how lifelong engagement can fuel continued impact within the JA ecosystem. Through organized volunteerism, mentorship, and innovative local events, the network cultivates leadership and collaboration among graduates. Its efforts to connect alumni across sectors reinforce JA Brazil’s mission of empowering youth and strengthening communities through entrepreneurship and shared experience.

    JA Brazil Alumni on Gather

  • JA Alumni Europe and JA Alumni France jointly showcase a strong, interconnected alumni movement driving advocacy, inclusion, and leadership across borders. Their programs emphasize entrepreneurship education, cross-country collaboration, and community impact, connecting hundreds of alumni through training, mentorship, and volunteering. These initiatives demonstrate the collective power of alumni engagement to sustain JA’s global mission and advance youth leadership throughout Europe.

  • Prestasi Junior Indonesia Alumni champion the values of innovation and service by maintaining strong engagement beyond the classroom. Through storytelling, events, and online initiatives, the alumni network continues to inspire current students and reinforce the organization’s reputation for excellence. Their efforts highlight how lifelong connection to JA cultivates leadership, social awareness, and a continued commitment to positive change.

    Prestasi Junior Indonesia Alumni on Gather

  • Under the leadership of Alaina Carlize Tria, the JA Philippines Alumni Association has redefined alumni engagement through co-creation, mentorship, and advocacy. Programs like the JA Shadow Program and Save Space with COL Financial connect students and alumni in long-term partnerships that bridge education and career development. By combining innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability, the network has created a thriving ecosystem where alumni serve as both mentors and champions of JA’s mission.

    JA Philippines Alumni on Gather

Winner: JA Americas Alumni

JA Activator Award

This award recognizes the JA location that best activates learning experiences and ideas developed by others within JA. It celebrates one of the most important characteristics of good leadership: the willingness to learn from others and execute someone else’s ideas that are not your own. These ideas can be learning experiences or projects that promote student reach, fundraising initiatives, volunteer engagement, board engagement, and more. Finalists demonstrate that they promote the vision of JA, as well as positive and tangible outcomes in the areas of resource generation, operational efficiency, or program growth.

Meet the Finalists:

  • INJAZ Bahrain transformed JA Finance Park—originally developed by JA Worldwide—into a flagship national initiative that equips Bahraini youth with essential financial and decision-making skills. By localizing the curriculum to fit Bahrain’s socioeconomic context and integrating digital tools, the program enhances accessibility and engagement. Its success is driven by strong cross-sector partnerships, ensuring both scalability and sustainability while empowering students to make informed financial choices.

  • JA Korea expanded the Better Ground program—developed in partnership with global gaming company KRAFTON—beyond national borders, activating it across multiple countries in the Asia Pacific region. This innovative program uses gaming as an educational platform to teach collaboration, creativity, and entrepreneurship to students. By fostering cross-country partnerships and scaling its implementation, JA Korea demonstrated how shared initiatives can evolve into regional movements of experiential learning.

  • INJAZ Kuwait stands out for its commitment to experiential learning through internship programs that bridge education and employment. By engaging students directly with industry leaders and private-sector partners, the initiative cultivates career readiness and professional confidence among Kuwaiti youth. Its internship model reflects JA’s mission of preparing students for the future workforce through practical exposure and mentorship.

  • JA Philippines exemplifies activation through the nationwide implementation of the Cha-Ching financial literacy curriculum, developed by Prudence Foundation and Pru Life UK in collaboration with JA. By contextualizing and institutionalizing the program within the Philippine education system, JA Philippines reached over 360,000 students in one school year and more than 1 million cumulatively. Innovations like the Cha-Ching Financial Literacy Accreditation for teachers and the Cashcapades Competition have ensured engagement, scalability, and sustainability, positioning the initiative as a national model for financial education.

  • JA Spain’s Good Practice Connection initiative demonstrates a structured and strategic approach to program adoption, collaboration, and replication across schools and regions. By fostering synergies among educators, companies, and JA partners, the organization strengthens program delivery and promotes sustainable impact. The initiative highlights JA Spain’s leadership in creating scalable frameworks that enhance network-wide innovation and activation.

Winner: JA Spain

AI in the JA Workplace Award

This award recognizes JA locations that are leveraging AI to transform the way they work. By embracing AI, these JA locations are not only streamlining operations and building resilience, but they are also opening up new possibilities for how they impact students, educators, and partners.

This award celebrates bold, forward-looking efforts that align with our mission. As technology continues to reshape the professional landscape, the use of AI within JA demonstrates a commitment to innovation that benefits both internal teams and our stakeholders.

Meet the Finalists:

  • JA Argentina developed Junior IA, a Custom GPT powered by retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) to unify institutional knowledge across Salesforce, learning management systems, and internal manuals. This low-code AI solution delivers rapid, accurate access to data, helping teams make informed decisions and operate more efficiently. The tool represents a major step toward scalable, secure AI integration in the nonprofit education sector, driving innovation and collaboration across the organization.

    Try Junior IA GPT.

  • JA Rio de Janeiro, a member of JA Brazil, successfully executed the complete rebranding of Trilha Empreendedora using artificial intelligence under severe time and budget constraints. The AI-driven process produced a comprehensive Brand Guidelines Manual within six weeks—an achievement that would have been impossible through traditional methods. This project proved that AI can deliver high-quality creative outcomes, optimize costs, and strengthen engagement, positioning JA Rio de Janeiro as a leader in technological innovation and operational resilience.

    Explore Trilha Empreendedora.

  • tGELF/JA India has been an early adopter of AI integration, embedding it into its youth empowerment programs well before the widespread use of generative AI tools. The organization continuously aligns its curricula with industry demands, introducing learners to emerging technologies and future-ready skills. By integrating AI into program design and delivery, tGELF/JA India ensures that students gain both ethical awareness and practical exposure to the technologies shaping tomorrow’s workforce.

  • JA Nigeria has integrated artificial intelligence into its teaching and program management systems to enhance learning outcomes and streamline operations. By creating AI-driven lesson plans, learning roadmaps, and interactive classroom activities, the organization empowers teachers and students with adaptable, future-focused tools. This innovation demonstrates that AI can be an educational partner—enhancing engagement, efficiency, and creativity while maintaining the essential human connection in learning.

  • JA Sweden has revolutionized its Company Program by embedding AI into the student experience, enabling participants to receive immediate, consistent feedback on their business ideas. This scalable system supports thousands of young entrepreneurs, saving time for educators while improving learning quality. The initiative exemplifies how technology can enhance creativity, critical thinking, and entrepreneurship, aligning perfectly with JA’s mission to prepare youth for the future of work.

Winner:

Soraya Salti Award

Named in memory of Soraya Salti, who founded INJAZ Al-Arab, this award recognizes JA visionaries who push boundaries to move JA forward and bring systematic change to a country or region. Finalists are senior staff who are innovative and able to engage a wide variety of stakeholders in order to advance social and/or economic progress in the areas where they live and work. The Soraya Salti Award winner will also exemplify the six JA values through day-to-day relationships.

Meet the Finalists:

Winner: Leen Abdel Jaber

Leen Abdel Jaber is a region‑shaping JA/INJAZ pioneer and one of the core architects of INJAZ Al‑Arab. Working closely with Soraya Salti in the movement’s formative years, and alongside Akef Aqrabawi, Leen helped define and establish how INJAZ should look, operate, and feel in Jordan and across MENA. Personally entrusted by Soraya to establish INJAZ El Djazair, Leen launched Algeria’s operation from scratch at a time when the country had only one incubator for startups. Under her leadership, INJAZ El Djazair mobilized private‑sector CEOs, forged multi‑ministry partnerships, and scaled experiential programs in entrepreneurship, employability, and financial literacy, laying the groundwork that aligned with and helped accelerate Algeria’s national focus on startups (including the subsequent creation of a Ministry of Startups). Her cross‑country impact also includes supporting the expansion of INJAZ Egypt and serving as a go‑to consultant for member nations across the MENA region, an innovative systems‑builder who lives the six JA values every day.

Jonas Prising Lifetime Achievement Award

This award recognizes a JA network professional who has significantly contributed to the growth and impact of JA learning experiences in his or her country. Each nominee has at least eight years’ experience as the chief executive with a JA member location (not a subnational, local area, or ROC). The recipient’s location has demonstrated consistent student growth (in either student experiences or contact hours) in each of the past five years.

Meet the Finalists:

Winner: Dr. Krishna Alejandrino, JA Philippines

Dr. Krishna C. Alejandrino’s journey with JA Philippines reflects the transformation he works to inspire in young people, evolving from student participant to award-winning mentor and ultimately to Executive Director. His ground-up experience shaped a leadership style centered on empathy, innovation, and impact, guiding JA Philippines through extraordinary growth—from 20 schools to more than 16,000 nationwide and from a team of three to over 30 professionals serving more than 500,000 students each year. Beyond expanding the organization’s reach, he has built a more inclusive and innovative JA Philippines that supports students, out-of-school youth, teachers, and persons with disabilities through strategic partnerships and diverse programming that ensures no learner is left behind.

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