Glocal Teen Hero expands beyond Nepal with South Asia edition in 2026

KATHMANDU: Glocal has said it will expand Glocal Teen Hero beyond Nepal for the first time with the launch of a South Asia edition in 2026.

Presented by the Golchha Group, the regional competition will bring together teenage changemakers from across the subcontinent to compete for the title of South Asian Glocal Teen Hero. Operating under the theme "Empowering the Leaders of Today," the programme will invite participants from Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh and other South Asian nations.

National winners from each country will advance to a regional final where one young leader will be crowned South Asian Glocal Teen Hero, a statement issued by Glocal said.

Glocal outlined a multi-stage selection process that begins with an application review, followed by the selection of a Top 20 Under 20 from each participating country. A finalists round and jury evaluation will determine national winners, who will then compete for the regional title.

The South Asia edition is backed by a coalition of institutional and corporate partners. Title Partner Golchha Group leads the effort, with strategic support from the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, UNFPA, Plan International, the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Kathmandu, and KOICA. Embark College is the educational partner. Corporate supporters include Honda, Coca-Cola, Panchakanya, KFC, Toyota and BioSphere Global; Nabil Bank is the banking partner. Media partners include Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post, and Yeti Airlines is the airline partner.

Glocal Teen Hero began in Kathmandu Valley in 2015 as a platform to recognise teenagers driving social impact beyond academic achievement. Over more than a decade, the initiative has expanded into multiple countries and engaged thousands of young people, schools and community partners across the region.

Teen applicants across South Asia are invited to apply by July 25, 2026, via the official website or by scanning the QR code on the event poster.

With South Asia home to the world’s largest youth population, Glocal Teen Hero South Asia 2026 aims to identify and amplify young leaders who are already driving change in their communities and who could shape the region’s future.