General
What is the Young SDG Innovators Programme?
The Young SDG Innovators Programme (YSIP) is an accelerator programme designed to engage young professionals working in companies that participate in the United Nations Global Compact. The programme aims to equip them with skills to advance sustainability efforts, drive innovation and deliver tangible sustainability solutions for your company.
What does the programme involve?
In the programme, young professional participants (“Innovators”) explore new innovations and learn from leading experts and sustainability leaders about how to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the development of breakthrough ideas, products and business models. Using the tools and training from the programme, the Innovators work in teams to identify an SDG-related challenge that is relevant to their company and, over the course of the programme, develop a solution to address that challenge. Please refer to the programme brochure.
What are the benefits of participating for companies?
The programme offers companies the opportunity to engage their top talent at the junior and middle manager level and develop a new generation of employees that think between the intersection of corporate sustainability and innovation. Companies also benefit from the development of real business solutions that have the potential to provide value for both the company and society.
How can my company ensure the protection of our intellectual property if we take part in the programme?
While the programme is designed to facilitate cross-pollination of knowledge, new skills and ideas across project teams, we recognize the importance for companies to safeguard proprietary information and ideas. As part of the application process, we require the Innovators and Mentors to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to cover any intellectual property being used or discussed as part of the programme.
How will the company information from the application forms be used?
Protecting your privacy is a top priority. The company data entered into the application forms is strictly confidential and the results will never be linked back to an individual company nor will company information be divulged to the public. Data will be solely used in its aggregate form to better understand programme trends and to communicate programme outcomes and impact.
Where does the programme take place?
The programme is currently being run by Global Compact Local Networks in the following countries: Brazil, China, Kenya, Mexico, South Africa, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States.
My company is not based in a participating Network country. How can we take part in the programme?
Unfortunately as this is a country-level programme, only companies based in countries whose Global Compact Local Network is taking part can participate. However, non-eligible companies may be able to take part in the programme as Mentors or Experts. Please refer to the information brochure for more information or contact youngsdginnovators@unglobalcompact.org.
Can young professionals from subsidiaries of UN Global Compact participating companies take part in the programme?
As long as the parent company is a UN Global Compact participating company and the subsidiary is based in a country whose Global Compact Local Network is taking part, their young professionals are eligible to participate.
What is the commitment my company has to make to take part in the programme?
As a participating YSIP company, you commit to:
- Select 2 – 4 Innovators to take part in the programme for the full duration of 10-months;
- Allow Innovators the time needed for full participation in the programme
- Identify a Champion who will support the Innovator team internally within the company
What is the time commitment for Innovators?
Innovators are expected to attend five (5) in-person 2-day workshops throughout the course of 10 months in addition to spending approximately 2-3 hours per week on online learning and activities, and group project development.
What is the difference between Innovators, Champions, and Mentors?
Innovators are the young professionals that form teams to take part in the programme to develop viable SDG business solutions for their companies. Champions are senior-level executives within the same company as Innovators that ensure the teams have high-level support in their company and the SDG business solutions are aligned with the company’s strategic goals and objectives. Only companies in participating Networks can select Innovators for the programme. Each Innovator team must have a designated Champion throughout the programme.
Mentors are individuals outside of the Innovators’ company with knowledge of technical and relevant subjects in the programme, such as sustainability, innovation, product design and breakthrough technologies. Mentors are matched to Innovator teams to shepherd the team throughout the programme and provide guidance in their training and project development.
Is there an extra cost for my company to participate?
As the programme is run in several different countries, your participating Local Network may require some fees such as fees related to sending additional young professionals to take part in the programme as well as programme activity costs, such as travel and incidentals, which are not covered through the programme. Please refer to your participating Global Compact Local Network for more details.