The SDG Innovation Challenge is now open

The SDG Innovation Challenge is now open, seize your opportunity!
Are you driven by a commitment to sustainable development and social impact within your community and beyond? If you are a student, professional, activist, change-maker, entrepreneur, or similar, aged between 16 and 35, and aspire to create a positive change on the African continent and globally, this is your chance. Are you part of a youth-led innovation startup or project team based anywhere in Africa, seeking to enhance your impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

If your response is affirmative, you have arrived at the right destination!

Bridging the Gaps in Social Innovation:
Advancing Youth-led Innovations for Sustainable Development
The SDG Innovation Challenge serves as a virtual, pan-African platform, empowering young Africans (ages 16 to 35) to devise sustainable solutions that address local challenges, thereby enhancing social impact and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Innovation acts as a catalyst for sustainable development, revealing initiatives that foster resilience, promote equitable resource distribution, enhance inclusion, and mitigate environmental pressures. Furthermore, in alignment with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), we prioritize collaboration and partnerships as a fundamental aspect of our mission.

In partnership with Global Goals Week (September 20-29, 2024), the SDG INNOVATION CHALLENGE 2024 will support this annual initiative focused on action, awareness, and accountability for the Sustainable Development Goals, pledging to collaborate with local, regional, and global partners to cultivate innovative ideas and accelerate sustainable, inclusive solutions for both people and the planet.

Goals – SDG Innovation Challenge

Under the theme Bridging Social Innovation Gaps: Propelling Youth-led Innovations for Sustainable Development the SDG Innovation Challenge 2024 converges young talent with three primary goals:

• To trigger fresh thinking by connecting innovators from diverse backgrounds and sectors.

• To develop practical, impact-oriented startups/projects through cross-boundary collaboration.

• To ignite transformative change towards sustainable development and improved livelihoods of communities across Africa.

Reasons for Participation – SDG Innovation Challenge

1. The SDG Innovation Challenge serves as a platform for enthusiastic youth-led startups and project teams from various regions of Africa to conceptualize, develop, and nurture practical innovations aimed at enhancing the sustainable development of their local communities.
2. There are several compelling reasons to engage in this initiative; here are a few:
   Access to a unique, vibrant, and diverse network of youth activists, organizations, and policymakers – Utilize an engaging online environment to collaborate on effective SDG solutions.
3. An invaluable opportunity to visualize and enact the SDGs at the grassroots level – Contribute to shaping our future and initiate your role in the sustainable development agenda as a responsible, impact-driven social entrepreneur.
4. Significant networking opportunities – Forge connections and become part of a community focused on ecosystem-based, collaborative solutions.
5. A platform to strengthen your global citizenship skills – Enhance your abilities in leadership, innovation, cross-sector collaboration, analytical thinking, interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, and related fields.
6. Access to a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and sectors – Work alongside individuals from diverse fields, including engineering, design, civic policy, social justice reform, project management, finance, education, and more.
7. Leverage resources to amplify the SDG impact of your startup or project – Gain access to both tangible and intangible benefits, such as global visibility, monetary awards, customized support, and connections to high-impact networks, among others.

Our Objective – SDG Innovation Challenge

1. The SDG Innovation Challenge invites young individuals from all over Africa to engage in an initiative aimed at fostering sustainable development within their communities.
2. This platform provides social innovators and entrepreneurs the chance to make a significant impact on the world through their projects, one initiative at a time.
3. For the SDG Innovation Challenge 2024, we are seeking innovation teams consisting of 4 to 7 members who are working on early-stage startups or projects. Please note that individual applications or teams formed without a specific purpose will not be eligible for participation.

Here is what you need to keep in mind when considering to apply!

All startups/projects should:

• Have a connection to the theme Bridging Social Innovation Gaps: Propelling Youth-led Innovations for Sustainable Development
• Connect to one or more Focus Areas (see below)
• Have clarity about how they contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals
• Be in an early stage of project development (0.5 – 2 years)
• Have initial evidence of impact and potential to scale
• Target a specific community or location in Africa
• Be socio-economically viable, entrepreneurial, and/or scalable in their approach
• Contribute to change of mindset and behavior in their community
• Contribute to creating a more inclusive society
• Should further decent work, digital transformation, partnerships, and collaborations.

Focus Areas: SDG Innovation Challenge

• Energy & Carbon Reduction
• Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)
• Health & Wellbeing
• Food & Nutrition (Agriculture)
• Education

Applicants must:

• Share a passion, drive, and commitment to improving livelihoods in their community.
• Have a genuine interest in sustainable development and a desire to contribute to the SDGs at the grassroots level and beyond.
• Be able to work with team from different domains, cultures, and geographies.
• Have the motivation to work in an agile hackathon-like environment to pivot their startup/project.
• Have curiosity, open-mindedness & desire to reimagine how we tackle SDGs.
• Have a 0.5 – 2 years old project and belong to a youth-led startup or project team (4-7 people)
• Commit to the innovation process and be eager to develop and/or rethink their startup/project for more sustainable impact
• Ensure that their schedule allows for full participation throughout the different phases of the SDG Innovation Challenge.
• Have access to a laptop/desktop computer and stable internet connectivity. (Basic knowledge of G-suite & eagerness to explore new technologies is recommended, too.)

Application and Participation Guidelines – SDG Innovation Challenge

To engage virtually from 12-14 September, registration must be completed by 31 August 2024, no later than 11:59 PM GMT.

Before submitting your application, please consider the following guidelines:

1. Teams consisting of 4 to 7 members are eligible to apply. One designated team member is responsible for submitting the application on behalf of the entire group. This individual may initiate the application process and save it for later completion. It is crucial to remember that (a) only one application is permitted per team, and (b) all applications must be submitted by the specified deadline.
2. Any concept submitted for the challenge should be in its early stages. This initiative is designed as an ideation platform rather than an accelerator program. If your project is already well-developed or if you are not willing to reconsider your approach or incorporate diverse perspectives, we advise against applying. Our goal is to inspire innovative thinking, discover new ideas through collaborative efforts, and focus on solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This mindset is essential for achieving significant and transformative outcomes, beginning with your involvement in the SDG Innovation Challenge.
3. Participants are expected to commit to the development of their startup or project during and after the challenge. We require that all participants attend the entire challenge, engage in virtual sessions, adhere to deadlines, and actively contribute to the success of their innovation team by collaborating to enhance their startup or project for a greater impact on the SDGs.
4. All applications will undergo a screening process and a pre-selection phase.
   We embrace inclusivity and strongly encourage young Africans to participate, irrespective of their background, gender, or physical and cognitive abilities.
5. To participate visit the official SDG Innovation Challenge website
6. Deadline is August 31, 2024

NOTE:  SDG Innovation Challenge

1. After the application deadline, a maximum of 50 qualified innovation teams will be selected to participate in the SDG Innovation Challenge 2024. The chosen teams will be announced by September 5, 2024. Following this announcement, an information session will take place on September 10, 2024, in advance of the event. Subsequently, the competition will commence.
2. During the 48-hour Innovation Marathon, scheduled from September 12 to 14, innovation teams from various regions of Africa will collaborate virtually to enhance their skills in areas such as Design Thinking, Systems Thinking, and Project Management.
3. Participants will learn to utilize impact tools, approach challenges from diverse angles, improve team dynamics, and channel their creative energies into innovative solutions. The TPS (TEAM – PROBLEM – SOLUTION) framework will assist participants in fostering new ideas while maintaining focus on their ultimate goal: to adapt their startup or project to address social innovation gaps within African communities.
4. All teams that successfully complete the 48-hour challenge will be included in a People’s Choice Campaign, which will highlight SDG innovations during Global Goals Week. This platform aims to generate momentum and emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
5. Dedicated teams will have the chance to engage in a two-month Mentoring and Incubation phase, preparing them for the main pitching competition. An award ceremony will take place in December 2024 to honor the best and most improved teams.
6. The top-rated teams will compete for the esteemed Award Winning Package, which comprises various cash prizes to support their projects, mentoring assistance, and recognition.
7. Furthermore, successful innovation teams will gain access to ongoing support, including digital literacy tools for scaling startups, business modeling and registration assistance, recommendations for investment matchmaking opportunities, business incubation, pro-bono mentorship, and more. Additionally, the most transformative initiatives will have the chance to present their projects at a prominent event.
8. To participate visit the official SDG Innovation Challenge website
9. Deadline is August 31, 2024