Young SDG Innovators

The Young SDG Innovators Program

The Young SDG Innovators Program (YSIP) is an opportunity for participating companies of the UN Global Compact to identify young talent within their organizations to accelerate business innovation to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This ten-month virtual accelerator program activates future business leaders and change-makers to solve the SDG challenges of their respective companies by developing innovative solutions through new technologies and design thinking.

YSIP will equip young professionals with the knowledge tools and skills they would need to translate their innovative ideas into tangible projects that not only forward their company’s sustainability objectives, but also bring potential market value for the company.

To learn more about this virtual program and its structure, please navigate through the below tabs.

Interested in Participating?

Companies who meet the below eligibility criteria can participate in the program through Global Compact Network Canada (GCNC). Please note that participation will involve a one-time registration fee. For details on fee structure, please read through the ‘Participation FAQs’ tab below.

  • The program is open to all companies who are members of the UN Global Compact and are based in Canada
  • Companies who are not members of the UN Global Compact are required to join the UN Global Compact before they can apply for the program; in lieu of this decision, their program registration fees will be waived.*
  • Companies must be attend five online innovation camps
  • UN Global Compact companies who are not located in Canada but have subsidiaries based in Canada, can encourage their subsidiaries to participate
  • Subsidiaries who are not members of the local network (GCNC), are required to join the network before they can participate in the program. For subsidiaries who join the local network, the program registration fees will be waived.*

*Conditions apply – see ‘Participation FAQs’ below

Companies who meet the above criteria can apply using the Company Application Form available at the end of this page. Due to program capacity that may be exceeded by demand, GCNC will need to review all applications before companies can participate in the program.

After applying and once GCNC approves the application, companies can nominate up to three young professionals (Innovators) to form a team, and one senior-level manager (Champion) to support the team.

To learn more about these roles, please navigate through the below tabs which describe each participant’s role, qualifications, and expectations.

Ready to Apply?

Interested companies who meet the above eligibility criteria can apply using the Company Application Form below. Companies must be confirmed before nominating Innovator/Champion candidates to join. If you are a young professional/senior executive interested in becoming an Innovator/Champion, please talk to your company’s Global Compact contact to see how your company can join the program.

Non-eligible companies may participate as Mentors or Facilitators, in the program. To learn more about these roles, please navigate through the tab above, or contact us at programs@unglobalcompact.ca.