The JCI Crocodile Foundation Grant has awarded its first round of funding to ten community projects led by young active citizens around the world. Together, the projects will receive USD 72,800 to tackle real challenges in health, education, youth empowerment, and environmental sustainability.
Selected from the global JCI network, the ten awardees span eight countries and territories across Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, and Europe. Each project turns a local need into a practical, measurable solution, advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) close to home.
10 projects. 8 countries and territories. USD 72,800 in total funding. One shared goal: lasting community impact.
What Is the JCI Crocodile Foundation Grant?
The JCI Crocodile Foundation Grant is a funding program created through the partnership between Junior Chamber International (JCI) and the Crocodile Foundation. It backs local JCI organizations running community projects aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with a first-phase focus on children, the elderly, and healthcare.
Each project can receive up to USD 10,000. The grant also uses a 1-to-1 matching model, so every dollar awarded is matched by funds the local team raises from sponsors, government grants, or its own fundraising. A USD 10,000 grant becomes a project worth at least USD 20,000, and the community gains real ownership of the work.
The aim is simple. Help young leaders move from idea to impact, and give their communities solutions that last.
The 2026 Awardees at a Glance
| Project | Awardee | Country / Territory | Focus | Grant (USD) |
| Commit to Quality Health | JCI Ikeja | Nigeria | Health | 8,400 |
| Elite Health Drive | JCI Ibadan Elite | Nigeria | Health | 8,000 |
| Children’s Integrated Development and Empowerment (CHIDE) | JCI City Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe | Children and education | 10,000 |
| Day Without Screens | JCI São Miguel do Oeste | Brazil | Youth wellbeing | 1,000 |
| Shaping Her Future | JCI Female | Suriname | Youth empowerment | 3,400 |
| Waste To Wonder 2026 | JCI Hong Kong Jayceettes | Hong Kong | Environment | 7,000 |
| JCI Village Sustainable Development Project | JCI Indrapur | Nepal | Rural development | 5,000 |
| MindRise | JCI Trevi | Vietnam | Children and wellbeing | 10,000 |
| Heartbeat of Love | JCI Central Saigon | Vietnam | Health | 10,000 |
| BrightFuture Hub | JCI Türkiye | Türkiye (Europe) | Youth development | 10,000 |
Meet the Winning Projects
- Commit to Quality Health – JCI Ikeja, Nigeria | USD 8,400
This project widens access to preventive healthcare in underserved communities. By focusing on early intervention and community engagement, it helps close health gaps before small problems become serious ones.
- Elite Health Drive – JCI Ibadan Elite, Nigeria | USD 8,000
Elite Health Drive expands essential health services and awareness programs, strengthening community health and building habits that keep people well.
- Children’s Integrated Development and Empowerment (CHIDE) – JCI City Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe | USD 10,000
CHIDE supports children through integrated programs covering education, personal growth, and long-term opportunity, giving young people a stronger start.
- Day Without Screens – JCI São Miguel do Oeste, Brazil | USD 1,000
A community-based digital detox for municipal school students. The project invites young people to step away from their devices and reconnect with peers, family, and their own wellbeing.
- Shaping Her Future – JCI Female, Suriname | USD 3,400
Shaping Her Future supports teen mothers with resources, education, and mentorship, helping them build stable futures for themselves and their children.
- Waste To Wonder 2026 – JCI Hong Kong Jayceettes, Hong Kong | USD 7,000
This environmental project turns waste into useful community resources while raising awareness about responsible consumption and the circular economy.
- JCI Village Sustainable Development Project – JCI Indrapur, Nepal | USD 5,000
A community-centered approach to rural development, working to improve quality of life, strengthen local resilience, and support steady, long-term growth.
- MindRise – JCI Trevi, Vietnam | USD 10,000
MindRise supports the emotional wellbeing of orphaned children and their caregivers, building resilience and a growth mindset through practical life skills.
- Heartbeat of Love – JCI Central Saigon, Vietnam | USD 10,000
Heartbeat of Love delivers compassionate healthcare and community support to vulnerable populations, meeting critical needs with care.
- BrightFuture Hub – JCI Türkiye | USD 10,000
BrightFuture Hub creates opportunities for youth development, education, and community engagement, equipping young people with the skills to thrive in a changing world.
Local Action, Global Impact
Look across the ten projects and a pattern emerges. Healthcare access in Nigeria and Vietnam. Youth empowerment in Zimbabwe, Suriname, and Türkiye. Environmental innovation in Hong Kong. Rural development in Nepal. Each one is rooted in local knowledge, and each one is designed to keep working long after the grant is spent.
That’s the strength of JCI’s grassroots model. Solutions are built by the people closest to the problem, then shared as templates others can adapt. The projects are expected to reach thousands of beneficiaries between them, and the lessons they generate will help shape future rounds of funding.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of you. Your projects represent far more than innovative ideas; they are powerful examples of young people recognizing challenges in their communities and choosing to become part of the solution. GO GENTLY and go Boldly, we are with you!— JCI President Alejandra Castillo
More Than Funding
The JCI Crocodile Foundation Grant is an investment in young leaders who are ready to act. As these ten projects move into implementation, JCI and the Crocodile Foundation will share their progress, results, and the difference they make on the ground.
Follow the journey throughout 2026 across JCI’s official channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the JCI Crocodile Foundation Grant?
It’s a funding program from the partnership between JCI and the Crocodile Foundation that supports local JCI organizations running community projects in health, education, livelihood, and the environment, in line with the UN SDGs.
How many projects won in 2026?
Ten projects across eight countries and territories, sharing USD 72,800 in total funding.
Who can apply for the grant?
Applicants apply through a JCI Local Organization and must be a registered society or non-profit in their country of operation, with a minimum 5-year track record of charitable work and a bank account in the organization’s name. The proposal needs a formal endorsement from the JCI National Organization, a written commitment to the 1-to-1 matching requirement, and a project that fits one of the focus pillars. Each project can request up to USD 10,000.
When does the next application round open?
For the 2026 cycle, applications were open from 1 to 28 February 2026, with winners announced in May 2026. This article celebrates that round. Future rounds will be announced through JCI’s official channels.
