SDG Innovation Accelerator for Young Professionals
- Home
- /
- SDGIA
The SDG Innovation Accelerator for Young Professionals is a unique opportunity offered to participating companies within the UN Global Compact network. It empowers the young talent within these organizations to collaborate and drive business innovation that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This intensive six-month programme is designed to activate the potential of future business leaders and changemakers. It focuses on the development and implementation of innovative solutions through cutting-edge technologies, initiatives, and business models that contribute to your company’s sustainability objectives.
Participant Benefits
- Engage in accelerated learning opportunities including online and in-person workshops, case studies, company visits and forum discussions.
- Collaborate with other businesses on innovative projects tailored to your company and industry.
- Build valuable relationships through coaching, mentoring and peer-to-peer networking.
- Gain insights from leading experts in sustainability and innovation from around the world.
- Join a global network of talented young professionals from top companies across every continent.
Company Benefits
- Apply SDG innovation to address real sustainability challenges your company is currently facing.
- Embed the SDGs into your company’s business strategy through collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing.
- Enhance employee engagement and create professional development opportunities.
- Access a network of experts from some of the world’s leading companies.
- Receive global recognition for your company’s participation in the programme.
Programme Highlights
Young professionals collaborate within teams to identify opportunities and create solutions that not only benefit their respective companies but also contribute to the broader goal of advancing innovation for the SDGs.
The 6-month program encompasses a variety of components such as worldwide webinars, local training workshops, mentoring, love case studies, interactive sessions with both peers and experts, and challenge labs.
The activities within the program are centered around a “learning by doing” approach, emphasizing practical, action-oriented experiences to address real challenges and capitalize on existing opportunities.
Innovators are carefully paired with High-Level Mentors who provide guidance and support the process of designing, developing, and testing their solutions.
The progress of these solutions is closely monitored and tracked throughout their development cycle. This serves as a source of inspiration and as a set of exemplary models for business innovation aimed at achieving the SDGs.
The program establishes a global network comprising young professionals from Global Compact companies. This network fosters ongoing engagement and promotes the concept of SDG innovation withing the business community.
Learning Experience
A comprehensive learning experience that combines virtual and in-person elements to foster impactful SDG innovation. The curriculum includes but is not limited to:
UN Global Compact Academy On-Demand Sessions: Participants access flexible pre-recorded sessions at their convenience, delving into core SDG innovation principles and case studies.
Global Deep Dives: Participants engage in interactive virtual sessions with global experts, exploring advanced concepts and cross-industry perspectives on SDG innovation.
In-Person/Virtual Innovation Camps: Participants immerse themselves in hands-on innovation at workshops, collaborating with peers on tangible solutions for real-world sustainability challenges.
In-Person/Virtual High-Level Mentorship: Participants engage with high-levels of prominent companies to gain fresh insights and C-suite, cross-industry perspectives on sustainability, organizational design thinking, and business acumen.
Global Feedback Sessions: Participants virtually exchange ideas, share experiences, and support each other in dealing with their chosen challenges.
Phase 1
SDG EXPLORATION
Explore the core concepts around business and the Sustainable Development Goals to understand challenges facing business today.
Phase 2
CHALLENGE IDENTIFICATION
Identify and prioritize specific SDGs and their relevance for your business as well as the business impact on the SDGs.
Phase 3
CHALLENGE DEFINITION
Find out how to use SDG impact and assessment tools to build a challenge that is ambitious enough for breakthrough impact and speaks to real needs within their company.
Phase 4
SOLUTIONS DEVELOPMENT
Learn how to generate new ideas and use tools to move an idea from a concept into a fully defined project.
Phase 5
SOLUTIONS TESTING & VALIDATION
Move your project solution to a more refined version through testing and validation within the company and with external stakeholders.
3-4 Innovators
1 Champion
- High-performing employees at participating companies of the UN Global Compact.
- 35 years or younger
- Interest in business-model innovation, sustainability and disruptive technologies.
- Ability to attend 3 virtual and 1 in-person Innovation Camps throughout the course of the programme (Jakarta location TBC), in addition to spending approximately 2-3 hours per week on On-Demand Sessions, activities, and group project development.
- Senior management representatives from the same company as the Innovators that support them.
- Act as the link to company management to embed and champion outcomes.
- Ability to dedicate a minimum of 1 hour per month to support the innovators.
- Serve as the primary point of contact and to ensure the active participation of the Innovators.
Interested in Participating?
TIMELINE
New Applications Open date: 30 October 2024 – 31 January 2025
Information Session: 2 December 2024
Programme Begins: February 2025
Programme Ends: July 2025
FEE STRUCTURE
The programme will incorporate a fee structure for the participating team of the company.
This structure is determined based on the company’s recent annual revenue, with rates outlined as follows:
≥ USD 500 million
of company latest revenue-
10% discount available for two teams
USD 50 million - USD 500 million
of company latest revenue-
10% discount available for two teams
≤ USD 50 million
of company latest revenue-
10% discount available for two teams
Watch the videos to learn more
