Young people are believed to be the ideal agents to be at the forefront of the sustainable development movement: gifted with innovation, forward-thinking, imagination, energy, and optimism. As the present and future inheritors of this planet, young people have the right as well as responsibilities to spearhead the sustainable development agenda and build synergy for a new system of development founded on knowledge sharing, cooperation, and the prioritization of issues such as extreme poverty, climate change, increasing inequality, and growing complexities of governance.
It is therefore, crucial that the youths mobilize themselves to engage with their leaders on appropriate strategies to benefit the populace. With less than eight years to 2030, it is important for all stakeholders working within the SDG framework to accelerate their efforts, including strengthening the capacity of the youth to ensure that No One is Left Behind.
The National SDG Summit & Changemakers Award is an initiative of SDSN Youth Nigeria, a network of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). The goal of this programme is to identify strategies and solutions to support youth in accelerating progress toward the attainment of Agenda 2030.
The event is scheduled to hold between the 10th of August and the 12th of August, 2022 as a hybrid event (both physical and virtual format). The Summit will include opening and closing plenary sessions with representatives from National and International Youth organizations as well as high-level and keynote speakers. The programme would also include interactive thematic breakout sessions in line with the six SDG Transformations.
The Changemakers Award supports various solution(s) from private organizations, social enterprises, NGOs, and intervention or development activities. Each of these possible 17 awards would recognize a unique and successful solution or initiative pioneered by an individual or group of youths, in one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Participants in the National SDG Summit 2022 will be change-makers, policymakers, official youth delegates, as well as representatives of regional and multilateral organizations and development partners. Young people will be representing formal and informal youth entities, university clubs and societies, youth-led and youth-focused organizations, research institutes, NGOs, science-oriented youth groups, and other organizations that have expertise in one or more areas related to sustainable development.
BENEFITS
Capacity Building (Training and Sensitization)
Membership Opportunity to SDSN
Access to Funding Opportunities
Leadership and Career Development
One-on-One Networking with Experts
ELIGIBILITIES
The National SDG Summit & Changemakers Award category is open to all Nigerians. Applicants can be individuals, youth above the age of 15 years and below the age of 35 years; a youth-led entity (defined as any entity, in which at least 50% of current management/leadership is below the age of 35); or a youth-focused entity (defined as any entity, in which at least 90% of resources serve youth above 15 and below 35 years of age). Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English.
