The Youth Solutions Report 2020, an initiative of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Youth is calling for application from all young leaders. This is an opportunity to empower the next generation of innovators for the Sustainable Development Goals.
The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network Youth (SDSN Youth) presents young leaders with global recognition, tools, training, and resources needed to scale their SDG-focused projects.
So, if you are a young leader (age 18-30) working towards the SDGs, this opportunity is for you. If you are working towards any of the Sustainable Development Goals, whether for-profit or non-profit, you can apply online for a chance to:
- Receive access to powerful training tools, including the Investment Readiness Program, and;
- Be featured in the 2020 edition of the Youth Solutions Report.
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Eligibility Criteria
SDSN Youth defines youth-led solutions as “transformative projects and endeavours, ranging from entrepreneurial ventures to educational programs, and including research activities, charity initiatives and so forth, that showcase the innovative approach that youth are taking in solving the multiple challenges for sustainable development” (SDSN Youth 2017: 16). They can be either non-profit or for-profit projects.
Six eligibility criteria were developed when selecting projects to be included in the Youth Solutions Report. The following six criteria will be used by the Advisory Panel of the Youth Solutions Report for assessing the applications;
Relevance of the Challenge Addressed
In order to qualify, projects must seek to address a challenge that is relevant in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They must also describe why tackling said challenge will help achieve the SDGs.
Innovative Character of the Solution
The projects must be founded by individuals aged 15 – 30 and they must showcase the skills and creativity of the proponent(s). Success is not the sole factor looked at when evaluating solutions. The Youth Solutions Report aims to celebrate innovative, game-changing ideas that have the potential to build transformative change and shift the behaviour of people, businesses, and countries.
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Financial Viability
Solutions must be self-sustaining in the long-term. In other words, they must be able to become financially sustainable through the resources they generate and/or the investments and donations they attract.
Scalability
Projects must have the potential to perform well or better after expanding in scope or size and/or being implemented in other regions. The Youth Solutions Report looks at projects which could potentially help others beyond their immediate community.
Current or Potential Impact
The solutions must be effective in solving the challenge(s) it seeks to address. Ideally, they should also go beyond short- to medium-term effects and show the potential to have positive long-term consequences for the community (ies), country (ies) or region(s) in which they operate.
This includes positive environmental impacts (e.g. innovations which are capable of reducing carbon emissions, developing sustainable consumption and production patterns, reducing the loss of terrestrial or aquatic biodiversity, or more generally representing the earth’s planetary boundaries), as well as positive social impact (e.g generating employment, eradicating poverty, or developing skills).
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Integrated Approach to the SDGs
The solutions should take into consideration the synergies and trade-offs among the SDGs, beyond the immediate goal that they try to address. They should demonstrate an attempt to create positive feedback or mitigate negative impacts in other areas. Finally, they should ensure that their impacts have been adequately measured and/or that they are in principle measurable, and if possible, that such measurement is aligned with the SDG indicator framework developed to monitor the implementation of the 2030 Agenda (UN Stats 2017).
The deadline for application is 15 July 2020 23:59 (Pacific Time). So if you have a project that fits into the Youth Solutions Report 2020, do not miss out on this opportunity to scale your solution and escalate your impact on the SDGs. You can read more and apply using this link: http://www.youthsolutions.report/
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