PIONEERS IN SDGs AWARDS
UNGA Conference 2020
24 September 2020 | Virtual Conference
Pioneers in SDGs Awards pay tribute to outstanding individuals and organizations who contributed to sustainable peace and development while promoting and protecting the culture of peace, diversity, inclusive society, human rights, women and youth empowerment at the local, national, and global levels. The Journalists and Writers Foundation and its Global Partners recognize Pioneers in SDGs that help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by implementing innovative and creative projects benefiting their societies. The altruism, philanthropy, dedication, and commitment of the Pioneers in SDGs are worthwhile in making our world a better place for all.
Our international jury will evaluate the contributions of the projects on the basis of community service, philanthropy, and their dedication to society. After reviewing the projects, the international jury will select the first, second, and third place winners from projects submitted from countries around the world. The awards will be given to the winners on 24 September 2020.
Submission & Evaluation
The Selection Committee will evaluate each project considering four criteria: innovation, stakeholders, scope, and impact. The projects are expected to serve as an exemplary model that can inspire other individuals and organizations to make a positive social change and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Projects can be submitted at the UNGA Conference website and/or by e-mail (info@jwf.org) that includes project name, a three-minute video, contact information, and a description of the project. Details about the Call for Projects are available at www.unga-conference.org
The deadline for submission is September 10, 2020.
Selection Criteria
- Innovation refers to the project’s approach to finding creative solutions to global challenges. The project will be assessed on a scale from 0 to 25 for innovative contributions to social, economic, and environmental development.
- Stakeholders refers to key players involved in the decision-making processes.
The project will be assessed on a scale from 0 to 25 for inclusiveness in the decision-making processes without discriminating on basis of race, ethnicity, gender, etc. - Scope refers to planning, implementation, and evaluation processes.
The project will be assessed on a scale from 0 to 25 for goals, objectives, indicators, and outcomes with tangible results. - Impact refers to the contributions of the project on individuals, organizations, and the society at large. The project will be assessed on a scale from 0 to 25 for impact in society in regard to social, economic, and environmental development.
Awards
1st Place: $1000 + Pioneers in SDGs Award
2nd Place: $750 + Pioneers in SDGs Award
3rd Place: $500 + Pioneers in SDGs Award
It is important to acknowledge that all projects are worthy of recognition because they all make a difference in our communities. However, the first, second, and third place awardees will be selected on the basis of their potential to help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through innovation, stakeholders, scope, and impact. All participants will be invited to attend the virtual annual UNGA Conference during the UN General Assembly on 23 September 2020. Awardees and all project participants will be honored and provided with an opportunity to present their work for further partnership and networking.
Goals
The primary goal of Pioneers in SDGs is to support innovative and creative ideas to make a positive social change in society, create awareness on the UN SDGs with 17 goals and 169 targets, and promote sustainable peace and development worldwide.
Selection Process
The Journalists and Writers Foundation forms an international jury who are experts, scholars, and practitioners in the fields of sustainable development, peace and conflict resolution, women and youth empowerment, the culture of peace, diversity, and social inclusion. The jury will evaluate the projects on the basis of community service, philanthropy, and their dedication to society. After reviewing the projects, the jury will select the first, second, and third place winners from a group of projects from different parts of the world. The awards will be given to the winners on 24 September 2020 on a virtual platform.
Global Visibility & Recognition
Pioneers in SDGs participants will have the remarkable opportunity to share their best-practices and projects with an influential audience from the United Nations diplomats, academics, experts, journalists, and more. In addition, projects and videos will be promoted on the UNGA Conference website for international exposure and compiled as a booklet for distribution to relevant United Nations agencies. Pioneers and organizations will benefit from meeting and networking with international organizations and exploring opportunities for further collaboration and partnership. 
Projects should address one or more of the Sustainable Development Goal(s)
Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development