9 April 2025, Bonn, Germany — With a renewed vision and energy, the UN SDG Action Campaign launches the 2025 edition of the UN SDG Action Awards: Heroes of Tomorrow open for applications until 25 May 2025.
As the world faces intertwined challenges—from climate change and food insecurity, gender inequality and exclusion, to economic injustice – what gives us strength is the resilience, creativity, and courage of people rising to meet the moment. These Awards are a call to recognize those who are not waiting for change—they are creating it.
“The Heroes of Tomorrow remind us that change is not only possible — it is already happening, everywhere, every day. In the face of injustice, crisis, and uncertainty, they choose to act. To resist. To imagine a better world and bring it to life. This is how hope becomes unstoppable.” – Marina Ponti, Global Director, UN SDG Action Campaign.
The Awards are more than a moment of recognition—they are a global call to spotlight the visionaries, the doers, the changemakers who are building a more just, sustainable, and inclusive world.
In addition to its established categories—the Creativity, and the Changemaker Awards—the 2025 edition introduces a new category: the Resilience Award.
2025 UN SDG Action Awards Categories: Creativity, Resilience, and Changemaker.
Resilience Award honours initiatives that have turned adversity into action in the face of systemic, environmental, or social challenges, have demonstrated innovation, perseverance, and impact—transforming setbacks into progress and helping communities thrive despite systemic barriers, conflict, climate disasters, or displacement — and helping to build more just and resilient communities in the process. Please check last year’s impact winners Gjenge Makers – a Kenyan social enterprise converting plastic waste into sustainable building materials, and Plant for the Planet – restoring forest ecosystems worldwide.
Creativity Award recognizes extraordinary campaigns or initiatives that harness the power of creative expression — such as music, art, film, theatre, digital media, poetry, or street performance — to influence perceptions, shift policies, and promote more sustainable, inclusive, and peaceful societies. Please check last year’s winner Assume That I Can – global advocacy campaign by CoorDown challenging stereotypes about people with Down Syndrome and fostering inclusion.
Changemaker Award celebrates exceptional individuals who are advancing justice, human rights, equality, and peace through action — whether by building movements, mobilizing communities, or quietly driving systems change behind the scenes. Please check last year’s winner Suvarna Raj – a para-athlete and disability rights advocate from India.
How to Apply
To apply for the Creativity or Resilience Award, or to (self-)nominate for the Changemaker Award, visit https://bit.ly/ApplySDGAwards and submit your application. Deadline: 25 May 2025, Sunday, at 23:59 EST
UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony: A Moment of Recognition, A Movement of Change
Each year, a high-level panel of judges evaluates over 5,500 applications and nominations from 190 countries, selecting the most impactful initiatives that are transforming communities and inspiring change worldwide.
The 2025 Award Winners will be recognized at the Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony which will take place in Rome, Italy, on Wednesday, 29 October 2025, featuring inspiring leaders and artistic performances. Prior to the ceremony, finalists will participate in a one-day induction programme, which offers skill-building workshops and networking opportunities. One representative from each finalist initiative will receive a funded invitation to attend the Ceremony in person.
With over 5 million global viewers tuning into the 2024 edition, the 2025 UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony will be broadcasted worldwide through Rai, Italy’s national broadcaster and official media partner, and UN WebTV.
About the UN SDG Action Campaign
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 in Bonn, Germany. The Campaign is mandated to engage, campaign, and catalyze transformative action toward the Sustainable Development Goals, advocating for societies and economies that serve both people and the planet.
The UN SDG Action Awards program is made possible through 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).
Photos and Video Assets
- IMAGE: Promotional image for the 2025 UN SDG Action Awards. Credit: UN SDG Action Campaign
- PHOTO CAPTION: 2024 UN SDG Action Awards Finalists and Winners with Marina Ponti, Global Director of the UN SDG Action Campaign, at the 2024 Awards Ceremony in Rome, Italy. Credit: UN SDG Action Campaign/Antonella Violante
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For more information and interview opportunities:
Krisha Sia | [email protected]