Institute of Development Policy

2026 IOB ALUMNI IMPACT AWARD

IOB is very proud of the relevant work and impact its alumni are generating around the globe.
Large scale programmes, small scale initiatives, new ideas, driving public debates ... impact in all forms and shapes!

To provide IOB alumni with an additional platform, IOB launched a new #IOB ALUMNI IMPACT AWARD 2026 series.
A call for impact stories was launched. More than thirty alumni applied. 

All stories are put in the IOB spotlight...in different formats ... Check out the alumni stories in the:


Alumni Impact Ceremony

From 29th of June until 2nd of July IOB and EADI co-organised the EADI-IOB conference "Shaping Sustainable Futures: Global Challenges, (G)local Solutions?

At the occasion of this conference, IOB also hosted its annual IOB COMMUNITY NETWORK event and the ALUMNI IMPACT AWARD CEREMONY during the EADI-IOB conference.

  • 17h15: Welcome 
  • 17h30 Plenary panel debate | Debate among experts;  Gilbert Khadiagala - University of Witwatsrand, SA ,Nina Wilén - Egmont Institute, BE, Hannelore Delcour - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, BE and moderated by Prof. Kristof Titeca (IOB)
  • 18h50: Impact Award Ceremony
    • Introduction of IOB Impact Award by Prof. Nathalie Holvoet
    • Screening of the Impact award winners & champions video
    • Handing over of the IOB Impact Awards  by Hannelore Delcour - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, BE
  • 19h: Poster and Network Reception

Alumni Impact Videos

Get to know the Impact champions ... have a look at the Alumni Impact COMPILATION VIDEO

Alumni Award winners:

Sakina Mwinyimkuu (tanzania)| IMPACT VIDEO​

Naser Qadous ( Palestine) | IMPACT VIDEO

Nash Tysmans (Philippines)| IMPACT VIDEO

Alumni champions

Ana Julia França Monteiro (Brazil) |IMPACT VIDEO​

Christie Mae Ranque (Philippines)  IMPACT VIDEO​​

The ALUMNI AWARD Process

Want to know more about the process of the IOB ALUMNI IMPACT AWARD? Read more about the call| profile| selection |prizes |award ceremony 

Selection

  • Apply using the online form: answer a few questions in the form OR make a short video to explain your story
  • Application Deadline 1st of April
  • The selection commission (2 IOB staff + 2 external Jury members) select 5 Alumni Impact Champions and 1 Impact Award winner
  • Selection results are communicated by 15th of April
  • Selection criteria:
    • The breadth/ reach of the societal impact
    • The intensity of the impact
    • The role the alumnus/a played in the impact
    • The creativity/ innovation  the alumnus/a has used in this project/ work/ event/ impact …
    •  The sustainability of the impact or potential for upscaling or mainstreaming

Call for Applications

IOB WANTS TO HEAR FROM... YOU!!!

Are you an IOB alumnus/a making a difference?
in your organisation? in your community? in public debates? in the world?

If so, we invite you to apply for the IOB Alumni Impact Award 2026 before the 1st of April 2026.
ALL IMPACT STORIES ARE WELCOME ... AND DESERVE THE IOB SPOTLIGHT!

Is this for me?

Yes! It is!
Are you an IOB alumnus/a who is making a difference?
in your organisation? in your community? in public debates? in the world? 

If so, we invite you to apply for the IOB Alumni Impact Award 2026 and showcase how your work/ your initiatives/ your ideas are contributing to impact on persons, organisations, communities through ideas, policy, research, or practice.

Don't think "this is not for me" or "my story is not 'big' enough" ... we want to hear ALL stories... 

  • from recent graduates ... to alumni who studied at IOB 20 years ago ...
  •  from a small volunteer initiative ...  to professional large scale programmes... 
  • from a very local impact ... to a worldwide effect

ALL IMPACT STORIES ARE WELCOME ... AND DESERVE THE IOB SPOTLIGHT!

​

What can alumni win?

The jury selects five alumni as IOB Impact champions 2026 — with one of them receiving the IOB Impact Award.

The IOB Impact Award Winner receives

  •  Fully sponsored participation in the EADI/IOB Conference 2026 (29 June – 2 July) including international travel and accommodation 
  • AND receiving the IOB IMPACT AWARD

All 5 IOB Impact champions will receive

  • Official recognition as IOB Impact champion 2026
  • Conference registration for the EADI/IOB Conference 2026
  • Their impact story showcased at the conference network reception in poster format
  • A dedicated impact video featured on the IOB website

ALL Alumni win

  •  Visibility across IOB communication channels, sharing their story with the IOB community and international audiences through various IOB channels ( if alumni agree to it)