Phan Foundation invites nominations for the 2026 Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award. This annual leadership award is given by the Phan Foundation to outstanding leaders who have made remarkable contributions to Karen society, with a $5,000 grant to support their valuable work.
We are encouraging community leaders to help identify outstanding young leaders and nominate them for this award. We believe grassroots community leaders know what is best for their respective communities and who deserves the recognition for working hard to make a difference for our people. This will be the 17th year of the award.
How to nominate someone:
Any Karen person under 35 is eligible to be nominated.
That person can be living anywhere in the world.
Nominations can be made by any individual or organisation.
Organisations can nominate one of their own members.
Please focus on outcomes and achievements in your nomination.
Nominations can be made in Karen, Burmese or English.
You can nominate someone even if they have been previously nominated and were not successful.
Nominations should be sent to Nant Bwa Bwa Phan: bwabwa.phan@phanfoundation.org
Nominations close on 31st December 2026. The winner of the award will be announced in early 2027.
Without the courage and determination of the Karen people, Karen civil society and community organisations, millions of Karen would have died, millions of children would have gone without education and the Burmese military would be closer to their goal of destroying the Karen nation and culture. Who among us has not benefited or depended on civil society organisations at some point in our lives. As children of Padoh Mahn Sha, none of us would have survived without Karen civil society organisations, led by people who give their time and dedicate their lives to helping people.
“Through the Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award, we are keeping the legacy of our father alive. He recognised how vital it is to support new generations of political and civil society leaders. This award is not just recognition for those who do so much to help our people, it is also an inspiration to the rest of us,” said Nant Bwa Bwa Phan, Founder and Director of Phan Foundation.
About the Phan Foundation
The Phan Foundation was set up in 2008 with the aims to alleviate poverty, promote education and human rights, and preserve Karen culture. It was set up by the children of Padoh Mahn Sha and Nant Kyin Shwe, following the assassination of Padoh Mahn Sha by agents of the Burmese military. We work with civil society and community organisations providing support for education in our homeland, emergency food and medical aid for internally displaced people, human rights education, protection of Karen languages, and support for refugee communities.