Deadline: May 17, 2026
Applications are open for the Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards 2026. The Heroes of Tomorrow are the people taking bold action. Fearless and persistent, they are in every country. Often working quietly against the odds to build a sustainable, just and peaceful future, they remind us that there is always hope, and that progress starts with people. They are the Heroes of Tomorrow.
Each year, the Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards programme champions Changemakers like Jîn Dawod (2025 Winner), a mental health visionary, who transformed her experience as a Syrian refugee into life-changing support for displaced communities across 26 countries, and Julienne Lusenge (2025 Winner), a human rights defender who supports thousands of survivors of gender-based violence, while advancing peacebuilding in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In 2026, the UN SDG Action Campaign will bring together nine inspiring Finalists from all over the world for a unique program of coaching and capacity building leading up to the live Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony, where the Winners are unveiled.
This year’s Ceremony will take place on Thursday, 29 October 2026 in Rome, Italy. It will reach global audiences through UN WebTV and RAI, Italy’s national broadcaster.
Categories
- Changemaker: The Changemaker Award honours individuals leading collective action towards justice, equality, and peace. Individuals can nominate themselves or others for this Award. Successful Changemakers demonstrate visionary leadership and the ability to make measurable, lasting impact within their communities and beyond.
- Creativity: The Creativity Award honours initiatives that inspire hope and action through visual expression, art, innovation and more. Initiatives can apply for this Award. Successful initiatives demonstrate how creativity drives measurable impact by inspiring action, shifting behaviours or public perceptions, and/or influencing policy.
- Resilience: The Resilience Award honours initiatives building resilience in the face of conflicts, inequalities, or climate change. Initiatives can apply for this Award. Successful initiatives demonstrate adaptability, perseverance, and tangible results in overcoming environmental, economic, political, or social challenges to build more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable societies.
Benefits
Finalists and Winners receive the following:
- Travel to Rome, Italy – One representative from each Finalist initiative will be invited to attend the Finalist Programme and Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony in Rome, Italy, with travel costs covered by the UN SDG Action Campaign.
- Global recognition – Finalists and Winners gain international visibility through the UN SDG Action Campaign’s global communication channels, RAI, Italy’s public national broadcaster, and other media outlets.
- Customized trophy – Each Finalist and Winner receives a customized trophy in recognition of their achievement.
Eligibility
- To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate proven, measurable results achieved within the past three years that align with one of the three categories.
- Initiatives that are still in the planning or concept stages are not eligible, nor are Finalists or Winners from previous editions of the Awards.
Judging Criteria
All applications and (self-)nominations will be assessed on the following criteria:
- Impact: The measurable impact and tangible change the initiative has achieved so far. Applicants must highlight the outcomes of the initiative and provide quantitative results.
- Scalabaility and Replicability: The potential for the initiative to grow or be replicated elsewhere. Applicants must outline any current or future plans to expand, including the approach and timeline.
- Novelty and Innovation: What makes the initiative innovative. Applicants must explain the specific idea, method or approach that sets it apart from existing efforts.
Application
Application and (self-)nominations can be submitted until Sunday, 17 May 2026 at 23:59 EST.
For more information, visit Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards.
