Apply for the Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards 2025

Name of the Event: UN SDG Action Awards 2025

Date: 29 October 2025

Place: Rome, Italy

Last Date of Application: 7 May 2025

Link to Apply:

Apply Here

Each year, a high-level panel of judges and a technical review team consider over 5,500 applications and nominations from 190 countries, selecting finalists and then the winners.

Finalists are invited to the Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony which unveils and celebrates the winners with music, art and inspiring messages from leaders from all backgrounds and regions of the world.

The UN SDG Action Campaign is a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General hosted by the Executive Office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and based in Bonn, Germany. The Campaign is mandated to engage, campaign and catalyze positive change towards the Sustainable Development Goals while advocating for rethinking, recalibrating and reimagining economies and societies so that they serve people and the planet.

Categories:

Creativity Award-

This Award recognizes extraordinary campaigns or initiatives that, through the power of creativity, have galvanized significant action and achieved measurable results in shifting people’s behaviours and public perceptions and/or influencing policies and budgetary allocations towards more sustainable, equitable and peaceful societies. 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 achieve sustainable, fair, peaceful societies and/or promote human rights.

Resilience Award-

This Award honours initiatives that have demonstrated extraordinary resilience in overcoming crises, adversity, or systemic challenges while advancing progress towards the SDGs. These initiatives have not only endured but have successfully adapted, persevered, and thrived despite obstacles—whether environmental, economic, political, or social.

Prize:

• Funded participation to the UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony and Finalist Induction Programme: One representative from each finalist initiative will be invited to attend the Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony and Finalist Induction Programme in Rome, Italy, in October 2025. The one-day Induction Programme includes creative workshops, skill development sessions, and networking opportunities, leading up to the inspiring UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony, where the winners will be announced and celebrated. Flight and accommodation expenses will be covered by the UN SDG Action Campaign.

• Global Recognition: Finalists and winners will receive international promotion and visibility for their work through the UN SDG Action Campaign.

• Customized Trophy: Each finalist and winner will receive a prestigious trophy.

Who is eligible to apply?

1. Campaigns or initiatives must demonstrate proven results within the last three years and align with the 2025 award categories. Initiatives still in the planning or conceptualization phase are not eligible.

2. Initiatives led by United Nations entities or national governments will only be considered for honourable mentions.

3. Previous finalists and winners of the UN SDG Action Awards are not eligible to apply.

We are not the official organisers of the program. If you have any queries regarding it, kindly contact the organisers.