Meet the
The Heroes of Tomorrow are the people taking bold action. Fearless and persistent, they are in every country. Often working quietly against the odds to build a sustainable, just and peaceful future, they remind us that there is always hope, and that progress starts with people. They are the Heroes of Tomorrow.
Each year, the Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards programme champions Changemakers like Jîn Dawod (2025 Winner), a mental health visionary, who transformed her experience as a Syrian refugee into life-changing support for displaced communities across 26 countries, and Julienne Lusenge (2025 Winner), a human rights defender who supports thousands of survivors of gender-based violence, while advancing peacebuilding in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
About the Heroes of Tomorrow:
UN SDG Action Awards
In 2026, the UN SDG Action Campaign will bring together nine inspiring Finalists from all over the world for a unique program of coaching and capacity building leading up to the live Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony, where the Winners are unveiled.
This year’s Ceremony will take place on Thursday, 29 October 2026 in Rome, Italy. It will reach global audiences through UN WebTV and RAI, Italy’s national broadcaster.
The Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards programme is powered by the UN SDG Action Campaign, a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, hosted by UNDP. It is made possible in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
TIMELINE
January – June 2026
Confirmation of the High-Level Panel of Judges
15 April – 31 May 2026
Global Call for Applications
May – August 2026
Internal Assessment & Due Diligence
July – October 2026
Public Announcement of Judges
September 2026
Notification of Finalists
September – October 2026
Public Announcement of Finalists
September – October 2026
Judge Review of Finalist Applications
28 October 2026
Finalists Programme in Rome
29 October 2026
The 2026
Edition Categories
Changemaker
Award
ChangemakerAward
The Changemaker Award honours individuals leading collective action towards justice, equality, and peace.
Successful Changemakers demonstrate visionary leadership and the ability to make measurable, lasting impact within their communities and beyond.
Creativity
Award
Creativity
Award
The Creativity Award honours initiatives that inspire hope and action through visual expression, art, innovation and more.
Successful initiatives demonstrate how creativity drives measurable impact by inspiring action, shifting behaviours or public perceptions, and/or influencing policy.
Resilience
Award
ResilienceAward
The Resilience Award honours initiatives building resilience in the face of conflicts, inequalities, or climate change.
Successful initiatives demonstrate adaptability, perseverance, and tangible results in overcoming environmental, economic, political, or social challenges to build more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable societies.
Watch the
2025 CEREMONY
Highlights VIDEO
Watch the
2025 Finalist Programme
Highlights VIDEO
