Across U-Can Youth Awards

Everyone talks about the importance of investing in youth because they are the future. The question is, what makes a good investment? In today’s result-driven world, many deem success as one that yields high return. But as a community youth organization, Across also sees the importance of learning from the process over outcome. That’s why we’re creating the Across U-Can Youth Awards to recognize the humble yet inspiring journeys behind the making of our future leaders. If you are under the age of 35, and have undergone a meaningful life transformation, made contributions to your community, or have gone through the discovery of your cultural identity, we encourage you to apply for one of the Across U-Can Awards by sharing your stories. Nominations of others are also welcome!

Extended Nomination Deadline:

September 18, 2023 (Monday) at 11:59 pm (EST)

September 25, 2023 (Monday) at 11:59 pm (EST)

Nominee Eligibility

By the date of nomination deadline – September 25, 2023, the nominee is:

  • aged 16-35
  • currently residing/living in Canada

Nominations are valid only for the year in which they are submitted.

Each award category has a unique set of criteria, please select the award heading and review the list of criteria for that award.

Nomination Procedures

Please send a completed Application Form and Nominee’s narrative in one of the following prescribed formats, to [email protected].

  • Written Submission (Up to a maximum of 1,000 words, available in either English or Chinese)

    • OR

  • Audio Submission (Maximum duration of 5 minutes)

    • OR

  • Video Submission (Maximum duration of 5 minutes)
Apply Now

Awards Selection

An Award Selection Committee will review nominations and select recipients for each award category. Award recipients will be publicized and the awards presentation will be taken place at the Across U-hub annual Celebration and Fundraising Gala on November 12, 2023 (Sunday).

Awards Criteria

Across U-Can GROW Award
燃動青年生命蛻變奬

This award is for one who has overcome a life challenge, demonstrated significant personal growth, and made an impact on others.
候選人曾克服生活挑戰，展現了顯著的個人成長，並對他人產生了正面影響。

Suggested Questions for Nominee’s Narrative

  1. What challenges did you face?
    你遇到了哪些挑戰？
  2. What motivated you to change?
    是甚麼激勵你做出改變？
  3. What difficulties did you encounter, and how did you conquer them?
    你在改變過程中，遇到甚麼困難和如何克服它們。
  4. How has this change impacted yourself and/or others?
    這個改變如何影響你自己和/或他人？

Across U-Can BUILD Award
燃動⻘年社區匠心奬

This award is for one who has made a meaningful, transformative impact on the community.
候選人曾在社區作出貢獻，並產生有意義且深遠的影響。

Suggested Questions for Nominee’s Narrative

  1. What issue(s) did the community face that you sought to address?
    你意識到社區面臨哪些矛盾或問題，激發你作一些回應？
  2. What motivated you to address the issue(s), and what actions did you take?
    是甚麼動力激勵你去作出回應？
  3. What difficulties did you encounter, and how did you conquer them?
    你在行動和過程中，遇到甚麼困難和如何克服它們。
  4. How have your actions impacted the community and/or yourself?
    (If possible, provide a brief testimonial of the impact you have had on the community. This can be written, audio or video.)
    這種改變如何影響了社區和/或你自己？ （可提供一些你在社區產生影響的見證。簡短描述文字、音頻或短片形式均可。）

Across U-Can BRIDGE Award
燃動青年文化連繫奬

This award is for one who has undergone a journey in the understanding of their cultural identity, leading to cultural contributions to the community.
候選人曾對自己文化身份疑惑、瞭解和認同，從而為社會作出文化連繫的貢獻。

Suggested Questions for Nominee’s Narrative

  1. How have you struggled with your cultural identity?
    你如何在文化認同方面經歷矛盾與困難？
  2. What motivated you to better understand and appreciate your roots and cultural identity?
    是甚麼使你意識到有必要去理解和珍視自己的文化根源和身份？
  3. Describe your journey in discovering your roots, reclaiming your cultural identity, and reconciling the differences between the eastern and western cultures.
    描述你在尋根、重新認識自己的文化身份，以及整合/調和東西方兩種文化的旅程。
  4. How has this journey led you to contribute to the cultural identity of your community?
    這個經歷如何引導你對社區作出文化連繫的貢獻？

Note: The nominee can be nominated in more than one award.