From Worcester to the World: UoB student is Youth Activist of the Year

Eltayeb Bashar, a Law student at UoB, recently won the 2025 Youth Activist of the Year award at the Inspirational Youth Awards—a national celebration of young changemakers driving positive impact through innovation, compassion, and dedication.

Secretly nominated by his sister Khadija—his lifelong “partner in this journey”—Eltayeb was one of eight finalists chosen from over 400 nominations across 22 categories. More than 50,000 public votes were cast, and on 12 April, he was announced as the winner at the award’s “glittering” ceremony. Thanks to his activism, support came from across the UK and beyond, with votes pouring in from Sudan, Rwanda, and Saudi Arabia.

“I didn’t expect to win,” Eltayeb said. “The competition was very high level” with “so many ambitious, bright young people” who are “completely transforming society for the better”. But the judges called him a “stand-out,” moved by his tireless work for racial justice, community empowerment, and youth engagement, both locally and globally.

At just 19, alongside his sister Khadija, Eltayeb co-led one of the city’s largest campaigns for racial justice leading to initiatives like Worcester’s first Black History Month and Windrush Day. Their story is now etched into the city’s Black History Timeline, proudly displayed at the Worcester Museum, and last year both established their own charity with the goal of making it nationally recognised one day.

The news of his win has gained international attention, earning him invitations to lecture in Rwanda and to speak at the NATO Youth Summit in Montenegro. Next month, he’ll co-host a youth conference in Lyon, France, alongside top academics—continuing to elevate the voices of young changemakers around the world.

“I'm grateful to everyone who voted for me, in the UK, Sudan, Rwanda, Egypt, and beyond,” he said. “Special thanks to my sister Khadija… and Lisa Smith, a Worcester Community Engagement Officer, who gave my sister and I a chance. I’ve received great help from the University especially from Caroline Bowen, and Professor Rosie Harding. I’m honoured to be part of the University of Birmingham community, and I hope that I have made the University proud.”

Eltayeb’s story is proof of how far passion, persistence, and the power of community can take you. What started as a local campaign has grown into an international platform—and he’s just getting started.