Call For Applications: SDG Innovation Challenge 2024

Are you passionate about sustainable development and social impact in your community and beyond? Are you a student, professional, activist, change-maker, entrepreneur, etc. between 16 – 35 years and interested in making a difference on the African continent and in the world? Do you form part of a youth innovation startup/project team based anywhere across Africa, and look to pivot your SDG impact?

If your answer is YES, you’ve come to the right place!

Designed as a virtual, pan-African innovation space, the SDG Innovation Challenge is a powerhouse for young Africans (16 – 35 years) to develop cross-boundary, sustainable solutions to grassroots challenges that further social impact and contribute towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Innovation is a force that sets the engine of sustainable development running, uncovering initiatives that build resilience, contribute to more equitable resource distribution, further inclusion, alleviate environmental stress, and so on! Moreover, and in alignment with SDG 17 (Partnerships For The Goals), we emphasize collaboration and partnerships as a central axis around which our efforts are oriented!

In collaboration with the Global Goals Week (20 -29 September 2024), the SDG INNOVATION CHALLENGE 2024 supports the annual week of action, awareness, and accountability for the Sustainable Development Goals, promising to join hands with local, regional, and global partners to nurture fresh thinking and supercharge sustainable, inclusive solutions for people and the planet.

Under the theme Bridging Social Innovation Gaps: Propelling Youth-led Innovations for Sustainable Development the SDG Innovation Challenge 2024 converges young talent with three primary goals:

• To trigger fresh thinking by connecting innovators from diverse backgrounds and sectors.
• To develop practical, impact-oriented startups/projects through cross-boundary collaboration.

• To ignite transformative change towards sustainable development and improved livelihoods of communities across Africa

Open to participation from young people across Africa, the SDG Innovation Challenge is an opportunity for social innovators and entrepreneurs to contribute to sustainable development in their communities and change the world, one project at a time!

To be considered for the SDG Innovation Challenge 2024, we look for innovation teams (4 – 7 participants) with early-stage startups/projects. Individual applications or randomly formed teams will NOT be considered for participation.

Here is what you need to keep in mind when considering to apply!

All startups/projects should:

• Have a connection to the theme Bridging Social Innovation Gaps: Propelling Youth-led Innovations for Sustainable Development
• Connect to one or more Focus Areas (see below)
• Have clarity about how they contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals
• Be in an early stage of project development (0.5 – 2 years)
• Have initial evidence of impact and potential to scale
• Target a specific community or location in Africa
• Be socio-economically viable, entrepreneurial, and/or scalable in their approach
• Contribute to change of mindset and behavior in their community
• Contribute to creating a more inclusive society
• Should further decent work, digital transformation, partnerships, and collaborations.

Focus Areas:

• Energy & Carbon Reduction
• Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)
• Health & Wellbeing
• Food & Nutrition (Agriculture)
• Education

Applicants must:

• Share a passion, drive, and commitment to improving livelihoods in their community.
• Have a genuine interest in sustainable development and a desire to contribute to the SDGs at the grassroots level and beyond.
• Be able to work with team from different domains, cultures, and geographies.
• Have the motivation to work in an agile hackathon-like environment to pivot their startup/project.
• Have curiosity, open-mindedness & desire to reimagine how we tackle SDGs.
• Have a 0.5 – 2 years old project and belong to a youth-led startup or project team (4-7 people)
• Commit to the innovation process and be eager to develop and/or rethink their startup/project for more sustainable impact
• Ensure that their schedule allows for full participation throughout the different phases of the SDG Innovation Challenge.
• Have access to a laptop/desktop computer and stable internet connectivity. (Basic knowledge of G-suite & eagerness to explore new technologies is recommended, too.)

To participate virtually on 12-14 September, you must register by 31 August, 2024 before 11:59 PM GMT.

Before applying, here are some rules to keep in mind:

• Only teams of 4 to 7 people can apply! One team member must complete the application on behalf of the entire team. The person applying on behalf of the team can start the application and save it to continue at a later date. Important to keep in mind is that (a) only one application per team is allowed, and (2) applications must be submitted by the application deadline.
• Any idea entering the challenge must be at an early stage at the most! This is an ideation space, not an accelerator program. If you have an already well refined project or if you are not open to re-think your approach or bringing different perspectives on board: do not apply. We’re here to spark fresh thinking, unearth novel ideas through cross-boundary collaboration, and converge around SDG solutions. It’s that mindset that will result in the biggest, most transformative impact, starting with your participation in the SDG Innovation Challenge.
• Be committed to develop your startup/project during and after the challenge! We expect participants to be present throughout the entire challenge, attend virtual sessions, respect deadlines, and contribute to the success of their innovation team by working together on improving improve startup/project for greater SDG impact.

All applications will be screened and undergo a pre-selection.
We are inclusive in our approach and encourage young Africans to participate, regardless of their background, gender, physical or cognitive abilities.