In the program, young professional participants (“Innovators”) explore new innovations and learn from leading experts and sustainability leaders about how to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the development of breakthrough ideas, products and business models. Using the tools and training from the program, the Innovators work in teams to identify an SDG-related challenge that is relevant to their company and, over the course of the program, develop a solution to address that challenge.

The Young SDG Innovators Program runs in annual cycles over the course of 10 months.

The program offers companies the opportunity to engage their top talent at the junior and middle manager level and develop a new generation of employees that think between the intersection of corporate sustainability and innovation. Companies also benefit from the development of real business solutions that have the potential to provide value for both the company and society.

Contact your Local Network for more information on programme costs.

While the program is designed to facilitate cross-pollination of knowledge, new skills and ides across project teams, we recognise the importance for companies to safeguard proprietary information and ideas. Companies may wish to have all program participants sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to cover any intellectual property being used or discussed as part of the program. Should your company require NDAs to be signed, please inform your Global Compact Network South Africa in advance. It is the responsibility of your company to ensure that all NDAs are signed by the relevant parties. As supporting participants, Mentors and Experts will be required to sign confidentiality agreements to take part in the program.

The program is designed to target employees that do not yet have senior management responsibilities and therefore have more time to dedicate to a 10-month development program.

There is no set definition for the age of a young professional. Young professionals can be categorised as working individuals anywhere between the ages of 21 to 40. The age of 35 was selected as the upper age limit for the program given that many demographic and population statistical organisations recognize young adulthood at being between the ages of 18 and 34.

As well as the South Africa, the program is currently being run by Global Compact Local Networks in the following countries: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Lebanon, Mexico, Turkey, UK, Ukraine and USA.

All companies participating in the UN Global Compact are eligible to take part in the program as long as they are based in a country whose Global Compact Local Network is participating.

Companies can select up to four (4) young professionals to participate in the program per cycle.

While there are no set requirements, the program is designed to target employees aged 35 and under who have a passion for sustainability, creativity; and demonstrate strong teamwork skills. Employees from business innovation, Research and Development, marketing, logistics, procurement, customer experience/service and sustainability units are encouraged to participate.

No, we encourage companies to choose individuals who best fit the Innovator profile to ensure diversity among the candidate pool in terms of business unit and background. Guidance is provided to companies as to desired qualifications for Innovators.

Unfortunately, as this is a country-level programme, only companies based in countries whose Global Compact Local Network is taking part can participate. However, non-eligible companies may be able to take part in the programme as Mentors or Experts. Please refer to the information brochure for more information or contact youngsdginnovators@unglobalcompact.org.

As long as the parent company is a UN Global Compact participating company and the subsidiary is based in a country whose Global Compact Local Network is taking part, their young professionals are eligible to participate.

As a participating YSIP company, you commit to:

• Select up to three (3) Innovators to take part in the program for the full duration of 10-months;
• Allow Innovators the time needed for full participation in the program

Identify a Champion who will support the Innovator team internally within the company

Innovators are expected to attend five (5) in-person 2-day workshops throughout the course of 10 months in addition to spending approximately 2-3 hours per week on online learning and activities, and group project development.

Innovators are the young professionals that form teams to take part in the program to develop viable SDG business solutions for their companies. Champions are senior-level executives within the same company as Innovators that ensure the teams have high-level support in their company and the SDG business solutions are aligned with the company’s strategic goals and objectives. Only companies in participating Networks can select Innovators for the program. Each Innovator team must have a designated Champion throughout the program.

Mentors and Experts are individuals outside of the Innovators’ company with knowledge of technical and relevant subjects in the program, such as sustainability, innovation, product design and breakthrough technologies. Mentors are matched to Innovator teams to shepherd the team throughout the program and provide guidance in their training and project development. Experts provide global technical advice and insight on particular issue areas or industries, when needed, to inform and support team solutions design and development.

The program will kick off locally in February 2023. However, each program start date differs depending on the Global Compact Local Network launching it —so please refer to the specific Network for the program start dates.

Companies interested in joining the program can contact the Local Network at sifisonglobalcompactsa.org.za. Due to demand and limited spots in the program, the South African Network will need to confirm company participation before approved companies are able to put forward program participants.

Once company interest has been registered. You will be contacted by the South African Network on next steps.

Yes. All you have to do is to send the Project Manager an email to register your interest for future rounds of the program.