DUBAI: As it opens applications for the 2026 UN SDG Action Awards, the UN Sustainable Development Goals Action Campaign is looking for its next “Heroes of Tomorrow,” from grassroots climate solutions to refugee mental health platforms.
The UN SDG Action Campaign is the global leader of the Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards, an effort that honors people and organizations that are pursuing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The awards, which were introduced as part of the SDG Global Festival of Action, highlight activists addressing topics like gender equality, education, peacebuilding, and climate action. The UN SDG Action Campaign’s global director, Marina Ponti, told Arab News that the campaign’s main goal is to give voice to marginalized people that are driving change.
Those who decide to take action, frequently in the face of enormous obstacles, are the heroes of tomorrow. They don’t wait for ideal circumstances or for someone else to take over. They’re fearless, tenacious, and fervently dedicated to building a more equitable, sustainable, and tranquil society,” she remarked. According to Ponti, the prize categories are updated annually to reflect the present state of the world.
The 2026 categories include Resilience, which recognizes initiatives navigating conflict, inequality, and climate challenges; Creativity, which highlights initiatives using art and innovation to inspire hope and action; and Changemaker, which recognizes individuals leading action for justice, equality, and peace,” she stated.
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