The Commonwealth Secretary General’s Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards, often abbreviated as the Commonwealth Innovation Awards, are a prestigious recognition that celebrate and promote innovative solutions contributing to sustainable development within the Commonwealth nations. The Commonwealth, comprising 54 member states, places a strong emphasis on fostering innovative approaches to address pressing global challenges and drive positive change.
One of the primary objectives of these awards is to spotlight and honor pioneering initiatives and projects that make a meaningful impact on sustainable development across diverse sectors. These innovations can encompass a wide range of areas, including climate change mitigation, healthcare, education, environmental conservation, social entrepreneurship, and more. The awards showcase the Commonwealth’s commitment to identifying and promoting solutions that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Commonwealth Secretary General’s Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards provide valuable recognition and support to innovators, driving global attention to their work. Winners receive recognition and visibility on a global scale, which can help attract funding, partnerships, and collaboration opportunities essential for scaling up their initiatives.
These awards not only serve as a platform for showcasing innovative solutions but also encourage knowledge sharing and collaboration among Commonwealth nations. They create opportunities for knowledge exchange, enabling innovators to learn from one another, replicate successful models, and adapt them to local contexts.
Moreover, the awards foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within the Commonwealth, empowering individuals and organizations to proactively address the complex challenges facing their communities and nations. By celebrating innovation, the Commonwealth encourages a mindset of continuous problem-solving and progress toward sustainable development.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards play a pivotal role in recognizing, promoting, and supporting innovative solutions that contribute to sustainable development within the diverse member states of the Commonwealth. These awards serve as a catalyst for positive change, helping innovators gain recognition, access resources, and collaborate on a global scale to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and drive progress toward a more sustainable and equitable future.
Citizens and organisations from the 56 Commonwealth countries can now submit entries for the Secretary-General’s Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards to win prestigious titles and cash prizes.
Launched by the Commonwealth Secretary-General in 2019, the awards recognise ground-breaking innovations from Commonwealth countries that contribute to one or more of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
An independent jury will judge the entries and select 15 winners – three from each Commonwealth region – across five categories. Each category is structured around the five pillars of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership.
Objectives
- Identify, highlight and support the innovations that show demonstrable potential for enhancing sustainability in Commonwealth countries in line with the Sustainable Development Goals;
- Help create an environment that will encourage and sustain investments in innovations led by governments, businesses, women, young people and social enterprises across the Commonwealth;
- Illustrate the depth and breadth of talent, commitment and creativity that exists across the Commonwealth by highlighting the innovative potential of the award winners;
- Inspire, encourage and challenge others to develop innovations that will be of value and service at the community, national, regional or international levels in achieving the SDGs.
Requirements For The Commonwealth Secretary General’s Innovation for Sustainable Development
- The awards focus on celebrating innovations that improve the lives of people, protect the planet, support prosperity, promote peace and strengthen partnerships for sustainable development.
Benefits Of The Commonwealth Secretary General’s Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards
- Each winner will receive a trophy, a certificate of recognition and a cash prize of £3,000 at an award ceremony, to be held during the inaugural Commonwealth Edition of Kenya Innovation Week 2023 in Nairobi on 27 November.
- There will be three award winners in each of the five categories, adding up to a total of 15 winners.
Application Deadline: October 15, 2023
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