UN SDG Action Awards 2024

Anyone can mobilize action and achieve impact, even in the most challenging places and times. The campaign is committed to showcasing heroes changing the world, and sending a message of hope and infinite possibilities.

Each year, a high-level Panel of Judges and a technical review team consider over 5,000 applications and nominations from 190 countries. They select Finalists and then the Winners.

All Finalists (three for each award category) are invited to a one-day Induction Programme prior to the Ceremony offering creative workshops, skills development sessions and networking events. The UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony unveils and celebrates the winners with music, art and inspiring messages from leaders from all backgrounds and regions of the world.

Categories

Creativity Award – We are looking for extraordinary campaigns that, through the power of creativity, have galvanized SDG action. Such campaigns have achieved measurable results in shifting people’s behaviours and public perceptions and/or influencing policies and budgetary allocations to achieve more sustainable, equitable and peaceful societies—the vision of the SDGs. They have successfully leveraged a creative medium, including music, art, poetry, digital and multimedia, theatre, documentaries, dance, street art and any other form of creative expression, to advance the goals and/or promote human rights.

Impact Award – We are looking for outstanding initiatives that, through innovative approaches tackling current challenges, have achieved significant, measurable impacts in improving people’s lives and accelerating progress towards SDG achievement. Impact implies remarkable improvements in knowledge, skills, empowerment, inclusion, behaviours, health and/or living conditions. Impact can be measured by several indicators, including economic, sociocultural, institutional, environmental and/or technological.

Change Maker Award – We are looking for exceptional individuals who have made a difference in their communities and societies. They are the movers and the shakers but also the people quietly working behind the scenes to make a difference. A changemaker imagines a new reality, and then acts and collaborates with others to make it happen. A changemaker stands up for equality, justice and human rights, and leads movements to rewire our world and light up the SDGs. Changemakers are identified through nominations or self-nominations.

Benefits

• UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony and Finalist Induction Programme participation: One representative from each finalist initiative will be invited to attend the UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony and Finalist Induction Programme in Rome, Italy in October 2024. The one-day Induction Programme in Rome offers creative workshops, skills development sessions and networking prior to the inspiring UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony that subsequently unveils and celebrates the winners.  Flight and accommodation expenses will be covered by the UN SDG Action Campaign.
• Global Recognition: Finalists and winners will receive international promotion and amplification through various UN platforms and beyond.
• Customized Trophy: Winners and finalists will each receive a prestigious trophy.

Eligibility

• Campaigns/Initiatives must demonstrate proven results accordingly with the 2024 Categories within the last three years (thus campaigns/initiatives in the planning/conceptualization phase are not eligible).
• Initiatives led by United Nations entities and national governments will only be considered for honorable mentions.

Judging Criteria

• Impact