Meet the
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.
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.
About the Heroes of Tomorrow:
UN SDG Action Awards
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.
The Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards programme is powered by the UN SDG Action Campaign, a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, hosted by UNDP. It is made possible in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
TIMELINE
January – June 2026
Confirmation of the High-Level Panel of Judges
15 April – 31 May 2026
Global Call for Applications
May – August 2026
Internal Assessment & Due Diligence
SEPTEMBER 2026
Public Announcement of Judges
September 2026
Notification of Finalists
September – October 2026
Public Announcement of Finalists
September – October 2026
Judge Review of Finalist Applications
28 October 2026
Finalists Programme in Rome
29 October 2026
The 2026
Edition Categories
Changemaker
Award
ChangemakerAward
The Changemaker Award honours individuals leading collective action towards justice, equality, and peace.
Successful Changemakers demonstrate visionary leadership and the ability to make measurable, lasting impact within their communities and beyond.
Creativity
Award
Creativity
Award
The Creativity Award honours initiatives that inspire hope and action through visual expression, art, innovation and more.
Successful initiatives demonstrate how creativity drives measurable impact by inspiring action, shifting behaviours or public perceptions, and/or influencing policy.
Resilience
Award
ResilienceAward
The Resilience Award honours initiatives building resilience in the face of conflicts, inequalities, or climate change.
Successful initiatives demonstrate adaptability, perseverance, and tangible results in overcoming environmental, economic, political, or social challenges to build more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable societies.
What People Are SayingHear from finalists and judges
It was truly an inspiring and unforgettable experience meeting the wonderful Campaign team, fellow finalists, and experts working tirelessly for peace, justice, and dignity. It was a great opportunity to build meaningful networks that will further strengthen our collective impact.
Shobha Shrestha
Founder, Women for Peace and Democracy Nepal, Finalist 2025
Please select Loop Item Template.
Winning a UN SDG Action Award opened new avenues for collaboration with fellow finalists and provided fresh perspectives that have strengthened and enriched our work.
Elsa Marie D’Silva
Founder, President & CEO, Red Dot Foundation, Winner 2019
Please select Loop Item Template.
Winning a UN SDG Action Award has been a life changing moment for the initiative and team. Not only has it empowered us to strengthen our internal governance structure, but most importantly the Award has enhanced our credibility in holding governments to account and fostering transparency.
Hamzat Lawal
Founder & CEO, Connected Development, Winner 2019
Please select Loop Item Template.
What has happened after Rome shows that the relationships you build do not end with a ceremony. They become bonds, pathways, and real cooperation between causes, organizations, and countries.
Paola Andrade
Executive Director, Ecuador Dice No Más, Winner 2022
Please select Loop Item Template.
Even the most complex, global, long-standing challenges can be solved through peaceful and innovative means.
Steven Stavrou
Co-Founder & Director, CyprusInno, Winner 2022
Please select Loop Item Template.
We have shown that a small group of young people can change the future of an entire landscape.
Billie Dumaliang
Co-Founder and Trustee, Masungi Georeserve, Winner 2022
Please select Loop Item Template.
The UN SDG Action Awards gave us the motivational push we needed at a time when Lebanon was facing, and continues to face, compound challenges, and served as a reminder that hard work doesn’t go unnoticed.
Narod Haroutunian
Fundraising & Policy Consultant, ABAAD – Resource Center for Gender Equality, Winner 2019
Please select Loop Item Template.
Thank you and the whole team for the opportunity to be a small part of this amazing effort to uplift and support the true heroes of our world. Their stories and work are so beyond needed, seemingly more than ever.
Vasser Seydel
President, The Oxygen Project, Judge 2025
Please select Loop Item Template.
The UN SDG Action Awards accelerated our journey to take our impact to the next level and make our voice heard locally and globally.
Ashan Perera
Founder, Road to Rights, Winner 2018
Please select Loop Item Template.
Winning the UN SDG Action Award has motivated STER to develop new strategies and mobilize like-minded organizations to implement programs in line with the SDGs and Gender Equality.
Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi
Executive Director, Stand To End Rape, Winner 2021
Please select Loop Item Template.
The Awards gave me an incredible opportunity to discover and meet amazing people that are really changing the world, our world.
Andrea Macri
Legacy Manager, Fondazione Milano Cortina, Judge 2025
Please select Loop Item Template.
Thank you so much for the warm hospitality. It was truly a pleasure to join you in Rome and the experience was both inspiring and enriching.
Malaika Oringo
CEO, Footprint to Freedom, Finalist 2025
Please select Loop Item Template.
The Awards programme has enabled us to expand our network and strengthen partnerships with sub-national governments, leading to greater citizen participation and improved access to SDG data.
Benjamin Charagu
Programme Director, Global Goals for Local Impact, Winner 2018
Please select Loop Item Template.
A proud achievement was actually seeing and hearing from the rest of the Awards nominees. The outstanding development work that is happening around the world is truly wonderful and inspirational.
Craig Spence
Chief Brand & Communications Officer, International Paralympic Committee, Winner 2019
Please select Loop Item Template.
It was an honour for me to have been part of this – the Finalists were all so amazing; they are all winners.
Yoke Ling Chee
Executive Director, Third World Network Judge 2025 & 2026
Please select Loop Item Template.
Acknowledging Signs TV as an award-winning solution gave us credibility as practitioners to further the inclusion of persons with disabilities. Equitable development will only occur if we reach out to the last person in the queue.
Luke Muleka
Founder, Signs TV Kenya, Winner 2021
Please select Loop Item Template.
Receiving a UN SDG Action Award was not the destination—it was the beginning of a lifelong mission. It strengthened my belief that creativity is more than artistic expression; it is a practical force for education, innovation, partnership and sustainable development.
Foluke Michael
Founder, Creative Youth Community Development Initiative (CYCDI), Winner 2022
Please select Loop Item Template.
Watch the
2025 CEREMONY
Highlights VIDEO
Watch the
2025 Finalist Programme
Highlights VIDEO
