UN SDG Action Awards names 2026 finalists

The UN SDG Action Campaign has picked nine finalists from more than 7,000 applications in 170 countries for the 2026 Heroes of Tomorrow awards. Winners will be announced in Rome on Oct. 29, 2026, after a multi-day program for finalists.

Why it matters: - The finalists represent community-led efforts on climate, justice and peace in places facing conflict, inequality and environmental stress. - The awards spotlight initiatives that can be scaled or replicated across regions, from local water restoration to women’s rights and youth-led farming. - The winners will be recognized at a global ceremony that brings together UN leaders, governments, civil society, creatives and private-sector partners.

What happened: - The UN SDG Action Campaign announced nine finalists for the 2026 Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards on Oct. 6, 2026. - The finalists were selected from more than 7,000 applications across 170 countries. - The awards span three categories: Changemaker, Creativity and Resilience. - Winners in each category will be announced at the ceremony in Rome, Italy, on Oct. 29, 2026.

The details: - The Resilience finalists are Solar Bright Future in Cameroon, Women Justice Initiative in Guatemala and Young Emerging Farmers’ Initiative in Zambia. - Solar Bright Future is focused on turning crisis recovery and displacement into long-term economic empowerment in Cameroon. - Women Justice Initiative is working to remove barriers to justice for Indigenous women and girls in Guatemala. - Young Emerging Farmers’ Initiative is building climate resilience through youth-led agroecology in Zambia. - The Creativity finalists are Mothers of Courage in India, Return Water Home in Indonesia and Women for Change in South Africa. - Mothers of Courage is helping mothers transform tradition to create better futures for girls in India. - Return Water Home is restoring springs in Indonesia through community action. - Women for Change is working to break the silence on gender-based violence in South Africa. - The Changemaker finalists are Ola Alaghbary in Yemen, Rokiatou Traore in Mali and Taban Shoresh in Iraq. - Ola Alaghbary is using water as a tool for peace in Yemen. - Rokiatou Traore is linking land restoration with livelihoods and opportunities for women and smallholder farmers in Mali. - Taban Shoresh is helping people recover and rebuild after conflict in Iraq. - Finalists will take part in a multi-day program of networking, coaching and capacity building before the ceremony. - The ceremony will be livestreamed worldwide through Rai, Italy’s national broadcaster and official media partner, and UN WebTV. - The announcement included a registration link for viewers: Register to watch the ceremony.

Between the lines: - The awards are designed to elevate locally rooted solutions rather than top-down programs. - The geographic spread across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America signals a broad search for practical models of impact. - The mix of categories suggests the campaign is valuing creativity and social cohesion alongside resilience and activism.

What's next: - A High-Level Panel of Judges will choose one winner in each category. - The finalists will gather in Rome for the awards ceremony and related programming on Oct. 29, 2026. - The campaign invited attendees and others seeking more information to contact Olcay Tetik at olcay.tetik@undp.og.

The bottom line: - The 2026 Heroes of Tomorrow finalists show how grassroots action is being framed as a global response to climate, justice and peace challenges.