The Heroes of Tomorrow: United Nations SDG Action Awards 2025 (Fully-Funded to Rome, Italy)

The Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards, a signature programme of the UN SDG Action Campaign, champions initiatives and committed individuals who wield the power of creativity and innovation to bring us closer to a more sustainable, equitable, and peaceful world. Through the awards, the campaign is committed to showcasing the heroes of tomorrow while sending a message of hope and possibilities. 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 2025 UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, 29 October 2025, in Rome, Italy. It will reach global audiences—with over 5 million viewers for the 2024 edition—through UN WebTV, Deutsche Welle, and RAI, Italy’s public national broadcaster.

The Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards programme is made possible by the generous financial support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Eligibility Criteria for The Heroes of Tomorrow: United Nations SDG Action Awards 2025 (Fully-Funded to Rome, Italy)

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

Judging Criteria

All applications and (self-)nominations will be assessed on the following criteria:

1. Impact: What is the measurable impact of the campaign/initiative in accelerating the achievement of the SDGs and/or towards more sustainable, peaceful, and inclusive societies? Impact entails shifts in behaviors, public perceptions, policies, and/or budgets towards the SDGs and/or significant improvements in social, economic, and environmental conditions, including gender equality, health, inclusion, economic stability, food security, climate action, environmental protection, and/or peace.
2. Novelty/Innovation: How innovative is this campaign’s/initiative’s approach? How does the initiative/campaign build upon a breakthrough idea?
3. Scalability/Replicability: How does this campaign/initiative have the potential to be scaled up and replicated in other contexts to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs, and/or towards more sustainable, peaceful, and inclusive societies? Has it already been scaled up and/or replicated?

Benefits of The Heroes of Tomorrow: United Nations SDG Action Awards 2025 (Fully-Funded to Rome, Italy)

Finalists will receive the following:

1. 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
2. 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 SD Action Awards Ceremony, where the winners will be announced and celebrated. Flight and accommodation expenses will be covered by the UN SDG Action Campaign.
3. Global Recognition: Finalists and winners will receive international promotion and visibility for their work through the UN SDG Action Campaign.
4. Customized Trophy: Each finalist and winner will receive a prestigious trophy.

How to Apply

1. Application and (self-)nominations can be submitted until May 7, 2025, at 23:59 EDT.

For more information about this award, see FAQs.

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