About the UN SDG Action Awards
The Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards, a signature programme of the UN SDG Action Campaign, champions initiatives and committed individuals who wield the power of creativity and innovation to bring us closer to a more sustainable, equitable and peaceful world. Through the Awards, the Campaign is committed to showcasing the heroes of tomorrow while sending a message of hope and possibilities.
Each year, a high-level panel of judges and a technical review team consider over 5,500 applications and nominations from 190 countries, selecting finalists and then the winners.
Finalists are invited to the Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony which unveils and celebrates the winners with music, art and inspiring messages from leaders from all backgrounds and regions of the world.
The 2025 UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony will take place on Wednesday 29 October 2025 in Rome, Italy. It will reach global audiences – with over 5 million viewers for the 2024 edition - through UN WebTV, Deutsche Welle, and RAI, Italy’s public national broadcaster.
(Self-)Nomination Form for the Changemaker Category
CHANGEMAKER AWARD: This Award honours exceptional individuals who have made a lasting impact in their communities and societies. They are the movers and the shakers but also people working quietly behind the scenes driving change. A changemaker envisions a new reality, takes action and collaborates with others to bring that vision to life. A changemaker stands up for equality, justice and human rights, leading movements to transform our world and illuminate the path towards sustainable, fair, peaceful societies. Changemakers are identified through nominations or self-nominations.
Inspiring Examples:
“Suvarna Raj”, an international para-athlete and disability rights advocate from India, influenced policies on inclusion and raised awareness of accessible elections.
“Srishti Bakshi” walked over 3,800 kilometers across India to bring visibility to the issue of violence against women and inspire women to be agents for change.
“Nery Santaella” has empowered Venezuelan migrants by making available tools and information enabling them to a life with dignity.
To (self-)nominate a changemaker begin by registering and filling in each section of the nomination form. Your nomination can be saved and edited each time you return. Once submitted, you will no longer be able to view or edit your nomination.
To apply with a campaign/initiative to the Creativity or Resilience Award, please click here.
THE APPLICATION PORTAL CLOSES ON WEDNESDAY, 7 MAY at 23:59 EST
About the UN SDG Action Campaign
The UN SDG Action Campaign is a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General hosted by the Executive Office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and based in Bonn, Germany. The Campaign is mandated to engage, campaign and catalyze positive change towards the Sustainable Development Goals while advocating for rethinking, recalibrating and reimagining economies and societies so that they serve people and the planet.
2025 UN SDG Action Awards: Changemaker (Self-)Nomination
About the UN SDG Action Awards
The Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards, a signature programme of the UN SDG Action Campaign, champions initiatives and committed individuals who wield the power of creativity and innovation to bring us closer to a more sustainable, equitable and peaceful world. Through the Awards, the Campaign is committed to showcasing the heroes of tomorrow while sending a message of hope and possibilities.
Each year, a high-level panel of judges and a technical review team consider over 5,500 applications and nominations from 190 countries, selecting finalists and then the winners.
Finalists are invited to the Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony which unveils and celebrates the winners with music, art and inspiring messages from leaders from all backgrounds and regions of the world.
The 2025 UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony will take place on Wednesday 29 October 2025 in Rome, Italy. It will reach global audiences – with over 5 million viewers for the 2024 edition - through UN WebTV, Deutsche Welle, and RAI, Italy’s public national broadcaster.
(Self-)Nomination Form for the Changemaker Category
CHANGEMAKER AWARD: This Award honours exceptional individuals who have made a lasting impact in their communities and societies. They are the movers and the shakers but also people working quietly behind the scenes driving change. A changemaker envisions a new reality, takes action and collaborates with others to bring that vision to life. A changemaker stands up for equality, justice and human rights, leading movements to transform our world and illuminate the path towards sustainable, fair, peaceful societies. Changemakers are identified through nominations or self-nominations.
Inspiring Examples:
“Suvarna Raj”, an international para-athlete and disability rights advocate from India, influenced policies on inclusion and raised awareness of accessible elections.
“Srishti Bakshi” walked over 3,800 kilometers across India to bring visibility to the issue of violence against women and inspire women to be agents for change.
“Nery Santaella” has empowered Venezuelan migrants by making available tools and information enabling them to a life with dignity.
To (self-)nominate a changemaker begin by registering and filling in each section of the nomination form. Your nomination can be saved and edited each time you return. Once submitted, you will no longer be able to view or edit your nomination.
To apply with a campaign/initiative to the Creativity or Resilience Award, please click here.
THE APPLICATION PORTAL CLOSES ON WEDNESDAY, 7 MAY at 23:59 EST
About the UN SDG Action Campaign
The UN SDG Action Campaign is a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General hosted by the Executive Office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and based in Bonn, Germany. The Campaign is mandated to engage, campaign and catalyze positive change towards the Sustainable Development Goals while advocating for rethinking, recalibrating and reimagining economies and societies so that they serve people and the planet.