2026 UN SDG Innovation Accelerator for Young Professionals (Deadline: 31 January, 2026)

SDG Innovation Accelerator: Empowering Young Innovators for a Sustainable Future

Sustainable development needs fresh thinking and bold action. The SDG Innovation Accelerator for Young Professionals, hosted by the UN Global Compact, is a nine-month program designed to harness the creativity, energy, and ideas of young employees in companies committed to sustainability. The goal: to turn innovative ideas into real business solutions that contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 Program Highlights

• Duration & Format: The program runs for nine months and combines virtual learning, in-person workshops, webinars, challenge labs, and mentorships.
• Hands-on Innovation: Participants work in teams to design, test, and validate SDG-aligned solutions within their companies, using a “learning by doing” approach.
• Support Structure: Each innovation team is supported by mentors, external experts, and “champions” (senior management in their company).
• Global Network: The Accelerator builds a worldwide network of young professionals from UN Global Compact member companies, fostering continued collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

 Who Can Participate?

• Young Professionals (35 years or younger) working at companies participating in the UN Global Compact.
• They should have an interest in sustainability, business innovation, and disruptive technologies.
• Participants must be able to commit at least 4 hours per month to the Accelerator Learning Plan and attend at least four full-day workshops.
• Their company must allow them to engage with internal challenge labs and provide access to data, stakeholders, or internal processes. (Often through a “champion” from senior management in the same company.)

 Benefits for Participants & Companies

For Participants:

• Deep learning in sustainability, business model innovation, and SDG integration
• Mentorship and support from global experts
• Chance to apply solutions directly in their companies
• Building professional networks across countries and industries

For Companies:

• Inject fresh ideas and innovation into their sustainability agenda
• Align business strategy with SDGs in a practical, internally driven way
• Engage and empower employees, enhancing retention and morale
• Visibility in global sustainability networks and recognition in UN Global Compact forums

 Timeline & How to Apply

• Applications Open: 15 October 2025
• Application Deadline: 31 January 2026
• Program Begins: February 2026
• Program Ends: September 2026
• Information Session: A live virtual Q&A is scheduled for 2 December 2025 to help prospective applicants understand the program structure and expectations.

 How It Works & Key Phases

1. SDG Exploration — Understanding the link between business and global goals.
2. Challenge Identification — Teams pick issues relevant to their company and the SDGs.
3. Challenge Definition — Define a focused problem statement using impact assessment tools.
4. Solution Development — Ideate, prototype, and co-design solutions.
5. Testing & Validation — Pilot, iterate, and refine solution models within real contexts.

Team composition typically includes 2–4 young professionals, 1 “champion” from senior management, and 1 external mentor to guide them.

The SDG Innovation Accelerator is more than a training program — it’s a platform that enables young professionals to bring sustainability from the margins into the core of business. For those eager to lead change and translate bold ideas into action within their organizations, this Accelerator offers fertile ground, expert support, and a global stage.