WE Empower UN-SDG Challenge

The WE Empower UN SDG Challenge 2026 is an international award program that honors women entrepreneurs who are advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through their business or organization. This initiative seeks to recognize women leaders who demonstrate significant impact within their communities and sectors while promoting gender equity, sustainability, and inclusive economic growth. The competition is designed not only to reward excellence but also to create a platform for visibility, learning, and global engagement for women entrepreneurs. Applicants to the 2026 program must meet a comprehensive set of eligibility criteria. They must be at least 21 years old by August 1, 2026, identify as a woman entrepreneur, and serve as a key decision-maker within their business or organization. To ensure sustained impact and organizational maturity, applicants must have been operating their business or organization for at least three years by August 1, 2026. A minimum of three full-time employees or full-time equivalents is required, along with an annual revenue of at least USD $75,000. Nonprofits can count grants, donations, and other fundraising toward this figure. Furthermore, applicants must be proficient in English and must submit audited financial records if selected as finalists. The application process for the 2026 WE Empower Challenge opened on January 26, 2026, and closes on March 8, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Applications must be submitted through the official portal at weempower.awardsplatform.com. As part of the application, candidates are expected to provide detailed organizational information, describe how their work aligns with and impacts specific UN SDGs, and explain how they foster gender equality both internally and externally. A two-minute video presentation is a mandatory component, addressing several specified questions about the entrepreneur’s mission, impact, and aspirations. Judging for the WE Empower Challenge is based on multiple dimensions. Reviewers assess geographic and sector diversity, measurable SDG-related impact, commitment to women’s leadership and gender equity, and the applicant’s ability to participate actively in the program’s virtual and in-person components. Finalists are expected to be available for program engagements occurring between August and October 2026, including potential travel to New York City or Geneva for in-person events scheduled around the week of June 14–20, 2026, depending on visa feasibility. This is a global opportunity segmented by region, including Asia–Pacific, Europe and North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Applicants with multiple ventures are required to focus on a single business or organization in their application. The program places high emphasis on the applicant's role as a changemaker in economic and social development, with a clear vision for contributing to the SDGs by 2030. For any queries regarding the application or program, applicants are directed to contact Liz A. Dorn via email at [email protected] with the subject line “WE Empower UN SDG Challenge Application Inquiry”.

Focus on clarity and substance in your video responses rather than production quality; be ready to travel and fully engage with the program’s in-person and virtual components.