The 2025 Global Citizen/PayPal Small Business Impact Awards

About 2025 Global Citizen/PayPal Small Business Impact Awards

The Global Citizen and PayPal Small Business Impact Awards were established to celebrate entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Global Citizen is looking for innovative leaders of small businesses and social enterprises who have developed products, services, and business models that make a positive social or environmental impact.

The awards platform will grant these community leaders a $25,000 USD cash prize and connect them to data and insights, access to highly skilled commerce and payments experts, and marketing/brand activations to accelerate their work and impact.

Summary of The 2025 Global Citizen/PayPal Small Business Impact Awards

Type: Awards/Contest
Value: $25,000

Sponsor: Global Citizen and PayPal
Eligible Countries: All
Benefits: Each winner (five) will win $25,000 and a free Masterclass training with Global Citizen’s Marketing and Social Teams.

Deadline: August 15, 2025

Eligibility Criteria for The 2025 Global Citizen/PayPal Small Business Impact Awards

Active Business Leader

The applicant must be the business’s owner, CEO, or founder and actively involved in business strategy and/or operations.

Small-to-Medium Sized Business

The business has fewer than 50 full-time employees or annual revenue under $1 million, and is registered as a small business in its home country.

Demonstrate Community Impact

The business should have at least 3 years of operation and show significant, tangible contributions to the local community.
- Supporting local causes, charities, or nonprofit organizations.
- Engaging in community development projects or local partnerships.
- Implementing sustainable practices that benefit the local environment or economy.
- Creating jobs or providing educational/training opportunities for community members.

Serve the Local Community

The business must operate and primarily serve the local community.

❌ Business Cannot Be:

Affiliated with an organization from any country or entity subject to financial or other sanctions by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or other government entity of the United States of America.

A franchise or part of a national or international chain, as the focus is on independent, locally owned enterprises.

Application Procedures for The 2025 Global Citizen/PayPal Small Business Impact Awards

The application consists of four parts:
- About you & about your business
- Pitch
- Description of how your work aligns with the judging criteria
- Supplemental organizational details (upon request)

For the first part, you will be required to submit basic information about you and your business.
For the second part, you must explain why you deserve this award and provide us with a 1-2 minute video of your pitch.
For the third part, you will be required to answer four short answer questions about your work.