UN SDG Action Awards programme 2026 for young changemakers worldwide (Fully Funded to Rome, Italy) – Opportunities For Africans

Application Deadline: 17 May 2026:

Applications at the moment are open for the 2026 Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards programme.
The Heroes of Tomorrow are the individuals taking daring motion. Fearless and chronic, they’re in each nation. Often working quietly towards the percentages to construct a sustainable, simply and peaceable future, they remind us that there’s all the time hope, and that progress begins with individuals. They are the Heroes of Tomorrow.

In 2026, the UN SDG Action Campaign will convey collectively 9 inspiring Finalists from everywhere in the world for a novel program of teaching and capability constructing main up to the dwell Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony, the place the Winners are unveiled.

This yr’s Ceremony will happen on Thursday, 29 October 2026 in Rome, Italy. It will attain international audiences by way of UN WebTV and RAI, Italy’s nationwide broadcaster.

Eligibility Requirements

• To be eligible, candidates should display confirmed, measurable outcomes achieved inside the previous three years in alignment with one of many three classes.
• Initiatives which can be nonetheless within the planning or idea phases are usually not eligible, nor are Finalists or Winners from earlier editions of the Awards.
• Initiatives led by the United Nations are solely eligible for an Honourable Mention.

Benefits

Finalists and Winners obtain the next:

• Travel to Rome, Italy – One consultant from every Finalist initiative will probably be invited to attend the Finalist Programme and Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony in Rome, Italy, with journey prices coated by the UN SDG Action Campaign.View the 2025 Finalist Programme Highlights Video and 2025 Ceremony Highlights Video.
• Global recognition – Finalists and Winners acquire worldwide visibility by way of the UN SDG Action Campaign’s international communication channels, RAI, Italy’s public nationwide broadcaster, and different media retailers.
• Customized trophy – Each Finalist and Winner receives a personalized trophy in recognition of their achievement.

Application Timeline

• January – June 2026: Confirmation of the High-Level Panel of Judges
• 15 April – 17 May 2026: Global Call for Applications
• May – August 2026: Internal Assessment & Due Diligence 
• September 2026: Notification of Finalists
• September – October 2026: Public Announcement
of Finalists
• September – October 2026: Judge Review of Finalist Applications
• October 2026: Public Announcement of Judges
• 28 October 2026: Finalists Programme in Rome
• 29 October 2026: Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony in Rome

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards programme