As you may have read, YouTube and the YouTube Nonprofit Program recently launched a new initiative called Video for Change which is designed to connect nonprofits and YouTube users to bring about meaningful change. As part of Video for Change, YouTube announced a partnership with Do Something on the Do Something Awards, an annual competition that identifies exceptional young social entrepreneurs, activists, and community leaders who are changing the world.

Do Something has selected five young finalists who have already made a significant impact in the fields of muscular dystrophy research, global poverty, HIV/AIDS awareness, voting enfranchisement, and education for refugees. Of these finalists, the YouTube community will pick the winner who will earn $100,000 for his or her cause -- if you'd like to check out the finalists' videos and vote for your favorite, you can do so here. The winner will be announced next week at an awards show/concert at New York's Apollo Theatre.

We're excited about this partnership because it provides a great way to showcase the young people who are doing good online and around the world, and increases YouTube's visibility as a place where average citizens can make a difference.

Posted by Ramya Raghavan, YouTube Team