Apply Now: SDG Pioneers Programme 2024

These individuals, known as SDG Pioneers, play a crucial role in inspiring action and showcasing the power of business to create a sustainable future for all. United Nations Global Impact is embarking on a journey to identify twelve SDG Pioneers from participating companies. These pioneers, regardless of their role, are setting ambitious SDG targets, expanding their impact, and championing a principles-based approach within their companies.

Through a rigorous selection process comprising both Local and Global Rounds, they will recognize individuals who exemplify dedication, innovation, and leadership in advancing the SDGs.

Join them in celebrating these champions of sustainability and learn how you can be part of the movement towards a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world.

Benefits

• The winner of each country’s Local Round will receive the title “2024 Global Compact Network (Country) SDG Pioneer”.
• Local Networks will recognize Local Pioneers for the great work that they have done to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.
• 2024 Global SDG Pioneers will be recognized at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit in September 2024.

Eligibility Criteria

• Professionals working at any level of a UN Global Compact participating company are eligible to apply or be nominated.
• Only individuals from UN Global Compact participating companies are eligible to apply or be nominated.
• To be eligible, applicants must come from companies with active status as participants of the Global Compact. To maintain active status, companies must submit their Communication on Progress (CoP) for 2024 within the reporting time frame of 1 April to 31 July. Subsidiaries can participate if their parent company meets this obligation. To avoid disrupting the Pioneers application process, companies are strongly encouraged to submit their CoP by 1 June 2024. Failure to report by 31 July will disqualify a Pioneers application.
• A change in CoP status subsequent to being recognized as a Local and/or Global SDG Pioneer may result in losing consideration for the SDG Pioneer title.
• Companies must have joined the UN Global Compact prior to 1 October 2023.
• Global Compact Network Board Chairs and Board Members are not eligible to apply, given their core role and influence at the Global Compact Network. However, other representatives from the company represented by the Board Chair and Board Members are welcome to apply. For Expansion Countries, Leadership Council members are also not eligible to apply, given their influence. However, other representatives from the companies represented by the Leadership Council members are welcome to apply.
• If a representative of a Global Compact participating company has been part of the SDG Pioneers External Review Committee (e.g., member of the LN Board), this person will be asked to step down from their Committee role if a candidate from the same company will be applying to the same Pioneer local round.
• Any individual who has been part of the SDG Pioneers External Review Committee will need to wait out for one cycle before submitting an application to the Local or Global round of the SDG Pioneers.
• Previous Local or Global SDG Pioneers can apply for another year of recognition, but a thorough review of their application will be required to ensure it covers different activities/ projects than in the previous application. Additionally, if the former SDG Pioneer sat on the External Review Committee, this person will need to wait out one cycle since having covered that role before being able to submit an application again.
• Global Compact Networks cannot recognize individuals from the same company within five years.

For more information, visit United Nations Global Compact.