United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Young Leaders Initiative 2020 for change-makers

Every two years, 17 young change-makers are recognized for their leadership and contribution to a more sustainable world.

Convened by the Envoy on Youth, the Young Leaders for the SDGs are recognized for their leadership and contribution to a more sustainable world.

As a community, they work to support efforts to engage young people in the realization of the SDGs both through strategic opportunities with the UN and through their existing initiatives, platforms and networks.

The Young Leaders for the SDGs support one or more of the following initiatives:

Advocate for the Goals, in ways most accessible and relatable to young people across different contexts;
Promote innovative ways of engaging their audiences and peers in the advocacy and realization of the Goals;
Contribute to a brain trust of young leaders supporting the UN and partners for key moments and initiatives related to the Goals.

On a biennial basis, 17 new Young Leaders are selected through an open call for applications and rigourous assessment process. Candidates are scored on aspects such as ability to influence and motivate others, innovative nature, and story telling skills. Their work is assessed based on scalability, impact, achievement, influence, and integrity. A High-Level Selection Committee comprised of leaders from the United Nations, governments, civil society, and the private sector conduct a final review of the top candidates.

After their tenure, Young Leaders for the SDGs remain involved in the initiative as alumni and collaborate and mentor the current class of Young Leaders.

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The Young Leaders Initiative is powered by the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, in collaboration with our partners. The Initiative is a part of the Global Youth Partnership for Sustainable Development Goals, launched in 2015 and housed in the Envoy’s Office.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Candidates are scored on aspects such as:

Leadership – Ability to influence and motivate others
Innovation – Uniqueness and ingenuity
Scalability – Potential to benefit others beyond their current scope of influence
Impact – Measurable outcomes direclty linked to their work
Presentation – Ability to inspire and motivate others through story telling

They are then selected based on:

Achievement – Demonstrated achievements in promoting and advancing the key areas of the SDGs
Influence – Personal influence within their respective fields and reputation for inclusive and innovative leadership
Integrity – Demonstrated integrity, commitent to the SDGs and core values of the United Nations