UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth Young Leaders for the SDGs Program 2022

Deadline: March 31, 2022

Calling on young changemakers! The Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth is looking for the next generation of Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)!

On a biennial basis, 17 outstanding young leaders from across various sectors are recognized for their agency, courage and ingenuity in finding lasting solutions to the world’s greatest challenges.

Throughout the two-year term, these 17 Young Leaders will engage young people for the 2030 Agenda, not only through their existing initiatives, platforms and networks but through advocacy opportunities with the United Nations and its partners. Becoming a Young Leader is a title of recognition from the United Nations for young people who are excelling in their contributions to helping deliver on the SDGs in their communities.

Young leaders actively support the following objectives:

• Advocate – Advocate for the SDGs in ways most accessible and relevant to young people across different contexts
• Engage – Promote innovative ways of engaging their audiences and peers in the advocacy and realization of the SDGs
• Build – Contribute to a brain trust of young leaders supporting the UN and partners for key moments and initiatives related to the SDGs

Eligibility

• Open to young people from all over the world;
• They should be between the ages of 15 and 29 years old.

Selection Criteria

Candidates are selected based on the following criteria:

• Leadership – Ability to influence and motivate others
• Innovation – Uniqueness and ingenuity
• Scalability – Potential to benefit others beyond their current scope of impact
• Impact – Measurable outcomes directly linked to their work
• Presentation – Inspire and motivate others through storytelling

Other factors that are taken into consideration are:

• Achievement – Commitment to promoting and advancing key areas of the SDGs
• Influence – Commitment to inclusive and innovative leadership
• Integrity – Commitment to core values of the United Nations

Application

Each class of 17 Young Leaders is selected through an open call for applications and a rigorous assessment process. All interested candidates who meet the eligibility requirements are welcome to submit an application.

Click here to apply

For more information, visit Young Leaders for the SDGs.