Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. The new DW is made for the world’s local heroes – people who rely on global insights and who think, reflect, reconsider and innovate. We asked you to tell us about the local heroes in your community and share their stories with the world.

We have received stories about local heroes from all over the globe. These stories have helped us to get the big picture about the people who are making a difference in their communities. The response was truly remarkable, as were all of your unique and fascinating submissions.

It is important to remember that the work of local heroes goes far beyond the portrayals we could provide here. Even before you shared their stories, local heroes everywhere were in action, changing the world one step at a time. And although the contest is over, the work of local heroes goes on. Thanks for making the Local Heroes Competition such a success.