EACH YEAR, THE High-level panel of JUDGES SELECTs THE WINNERS
The 2026 edition of the UN SDG Action Awards brings together 20 visionary leaders across sectors and geographies.
Hear from past awards 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
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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
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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
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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
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Even the most complex, global, long-standing challenges can be solved through peaceful and innovative means.
Steven Stavrou
Co-Founder & Director, CyprusInno, Winner 2022
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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
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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.
Ghida Anani
Founder & Director, ABAAD MENA, Winner 2019
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Watch the
Full 2026 Ceremony
