Call for Applications: 2026 WE Empower UN SDG Challenge for women social entrepreneurs who are advancing the SDGs
Closing Date: 8 March 2026
Call for Applications: 2026 WE Empower UN SDG Challenge for women social entrepreneurs who are advancing the SDGs
WE Empower
First-of-its-kind global competition for women social entrepreneurs who are advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The WE Empower UN SDG Challenge is a first-of-its-kind global competition recognizing innovative women social entrepreneurs who are advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and mobilizing communities toward a more sustainable and equitable world by 2030.
Now Accepting Applications for the 2026 WE Empower UN SDG Challenge
Launched at the UN General Assembly in 2018 by the UN Secretary‑General, the President of the World Bank, and the Council of Women World Leaders, the WE (Women Entrepreneurs) Empower UN SDG Challenge is the first global competition recognizing innovative women entrepreneurs advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and inspiring communities to build a more sustainable and equitable world by 2030. Co‑Chaired by the Chief Economist of the World Bank Group; Diane von Furstenberg, Founder and Chairwoman of DVF Studio; Amanda Ellis, Senior Director at ASU’s Global Futures Laboratory; and Alyse Nelson, President and CEO of Vital Voices Global Partnership, the Challenge champions leaders whose enterprises are reshaping communities, economies, and ecosystem.
Awardees are recognized for their groundbreaking work and receive capacity-building training, visibility, and access to an unparalleled global network to advance their enterprises. The program highlights and elevates the essential contributions of women entrepreneurs and business leaders who are driving progress toward the SDGs and addressing the world’s most urgent challenges.
In 2026, five regional awardees will be selected to participate in events surrounding Climate Week NYC and the 81st United Nations General Assembly, September 19–26, 2026. Awardees will take part in a high-impact agenda featuring pitch workshops, tailored trainings from leading partners, and curated networking with global leaders in business, policy, and philanthropy. The week will conclude with a dynamic pitch competition hosted by fashion icon, philanthropist, and Vital Voices Board Member Diane von Furstenberg at her New York studio, where awardees present their enterprises to a distinguished panel of judges for a chance to win grant funding.
Eligibility
- You must be at least 21 years old by August 1, 2026.
- You must identify as a woman entrepreneur.
- You must lead decision-making within your entity.
- Your business or organization must have been in operation for at least three years as of August 1, 2026.
- You must employ at least three full-time employees or full-time equivalents.
- Your business or organization must generate a minimum of USD $75,000 in annual revenue. For nonprofit organizations, revenue may comprise donations, grants, and funds raised through various fundraising activities.
- You must be professionally proficient in English.
What to Expect in the Application
Applicants will be asked to provide:
- Basic identifying information about themselves and their business, including the region that best reflects their primary country of operation:
- Asia–Pacific
- Europe and North America
- Latin America and the Caribbean
- Middle East and North Africa
- Sub‑Saharan Africa
- Responses describing how their work relates to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their vision for contributing to a sustainable future.
- Information on how they foster gender equality within their business or organization and in the broader community.
- Security questions, social media information (if applicable), and agreement to the contest’s terms and conditions.
- A two‑minute video, submitted according to the guidelines below and provided in the application itself.
Video Specifications
Please submit a short video of yourself (maximum of two minutes) providing the information and answering the questions listed below, in English. A video submission is a required part of the competition.
In designing your response, please remember that less attention is paid to the quality of your video and more attention is given to the quality of your response. It is acceptable, if you wish, to make your short video using a smartphone. Videos will not be judged past the two-minute mark.
What to answer in your video
- What is your full name?
- What is the name of your business or organization and your job title?
- In which country does your business or organization primarily operate?
- What is the mission of your business or organization?
- How does your work advance the UN SDGs that you selected?
- What is the impact of your activities on the UN SDGs?
- What do you hope to achieve if you are selected as a winner?
How to submit your video
- Video attachments may be hosted on a video site such as YouTube or Vimeo, or on file-sharing websites such as Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.
- Please provide password in the space provided if video is password-protected or ensure video has permission to be viewed with link, especially if using Google Drive.
- You may also upload a video file. File size should not exceed 20 MB and preferred file types are MP4, MOV, and WMV.
- Video may be a maximum of two minutes. Videos will not be judged past the two-minute mark.
- Please do not upload any written material or promotional videos as they will not be considered.
- It is acceptable to make your short video using a Smartphone.
Judging Considerations
Applicants will be assessed on a range of factors, including the following:
- Geographic and sectoral diversity, ensuring broad representation across regions and industries.
- Demonstrated impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a clear, actionable vision for how their business or organization contributes to the future we want by 2030.
- Commitment to advancing women’s leadership within their business or organization and supporting gender equity in the broader community.
- Willingness and ability to shape community dialogue on women’s economic and social advancement, and to use their influence to drive meaningful change.
- Commitment to full participation in all components of the program, including the in‑person events and the virtual programming held from August through October 2026.
- Due to evolving U.S. visa restrictions, the team is also considering convening the 2026 WE Empower Challenge in Geneva—the UN’s second headquarters—during the week of June 14–20 as an alternate option. Applicants should be prepared and willing to travel to either location during either timeframe.
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