The Shackleton Foundation is delighted to announce our latest leader Anita Okunde - the founder of Vox Populi Collective CiC, a start-up dedicated to decentralising power and amplifying youth voices through digital democracy. The civic education platform is for young people aged 11 to 25, positioned as "the Duolingo for Politics".

Anita's activism transcends traditional protest; she focuses on institutional reform and building the infrastructure for a more equitable future. Named one of Forbes’ Top 100 Environmentalists, Anita’s work is rooted in the philosophy that those most affected by global crises must architect their own solutions. As a Youth Commissioner for the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill, she directly influenced UK parliamentary legislation, ensuring that the long-term interests of young people are encoded into national policy.

Thanks to the Shackleton grant she will use the funds to develop her app and deliver the in-person flagship programme to 40 disadvantaged young people with the aim to create stronger civic literacy: understanding how Parliament, government, local authorities and the policy process work, and where young people can influence them. Anita is our 76th Shackleton Leader.