In a time of growing global challenges, progress depends on those who choose to act now. With this spirit, the UN SDG Action Campaign launches the 2026 edition of the Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards, now open for applications.
Deadline: 17 May 2026, Sunday, at 23:59 EST
Apply here.
Marina Ponti
Global Director
UN SDG Action Campaign
The Heroes of Tomorrow are fearless. They carry hope not as a feeling but as a force for action. Let’s be moved by the power of possibility, because the future is not something we narrate, it is something we shape together.”
The 2026 Awards recognise these efforts across three categories:
- The Changemaker Award honors individuals leading collective action towards justice, equality, and peace.
- The Creativity Award honors initiatives that inspire hope and action through visual expression, art, innovation, and more.
- The Resilience Award honors initiatives building resilience in the face of conflicts, inequalities, or climate change.
Each year, an independent panel of expert judges selects three winners from 5,000 entries across 190 countries. The 2026 Award Winners will be revealed at the Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony in Rome, Italy, on Thursday, 29 October 2026, with global dignitaries, business leaders, artists, and influencers in attendance. The 2026 UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony will be broadcast worldwide through Rai, Italy’s national broadcaster and official media partner, and UN WebTV. Before the Awards Ceremony, nine finalists are invited to a unique multi-day program of networking, coaching, and capacity building.
About UN SDG Action Campaign
The Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards programme is powered by the UN SDG Action Campaign, a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, hosted by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Bonn, Germany. It is made possible in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).