The SDG Innovation Challenge 2024: Bridging Social Innovation Gaps

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Are you passionate about sustainable development and social impact in Africa? If you’re between 16 and 35 and part of a youth-led startup or project team, the SDG Innovation Challenge 2024 is your chance to make a difference!

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.

SDG Innovation Challenge Benefits

Access to an unorthodox, dynamic, and diverse platform of youth activists, organizations, and legislators – Tap into a conducive online space to converge around practical SDG solutions.
A much-needed opportunity to visualize and implement the SDGs at the grassroots level – Participate in the making of our future and jumpstart your involvement in the sustainable development agenda as a responsible, impact-oriented social entrepreneur.
Immense networking potential – Build connections, and be part of a community of practice around eco-systemic, collaborative solutions.
A space to exercise your global citizenship muscle – Sharpen and hone skills in leadership, innovation, cross-sector collaboration, analytic thinking, interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, and allied areas.
Sourcing diversity of thought, background, and sector – Collaborate with people from many different domains, including engineering, design, civic policy, social justice reform, project management, finance, education, and many others.
Activate resources to further the SDG impact of your startup/project – unlock tangible and intangible perks, including global visibility, prize money, tailored support, access to high-impact network(s), and more.

Eligibility Criteria for SDG Innovation Challenge

Open to participation from young people across Africa.
Innovation teams (4 – 7 participants) with early-stage startups/projects. Individual applications or randomly formed teams will NOT be considered for participation.
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