FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

SDG Innovation Accelerator for Young Professionals

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What is the SDG Innovation Accelerator for Young Professionals?

A: The SDG Innovation Accelerator for Young Professionals 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.

Q: How is this accelerator programme different from the Young SDG Innovators Program YSIP?

A: This accelerator was formerly known as the Young SDG Innovators Programme YSIP, launched in 2019. With an
ambitious agenda for behavior change, the UN Global Compact decided to launch a new SDG Innovation portfolio,
scale the Young SDG Innovators Program accelerator and rebrand it under the name of: SDG Innovation Accelerator
for Young Professionals. Sustainability and innovation are increasingly overlapping within corporate structures
in discussions on how business can meet their long-term objectives and goals. Amid this changing landscape
characterized by globalization and digitalization, new business models and ways of working require skills that focus
on creativity, problem-solving and applying business acumen to addressing global challenges. For business to do this,
they must tap into their two greatest resources available: the capacity and innovation of youth and the enormous
market potential of the SDGs.

Q: Will the UN Global Compact stay in touch with previous YSIP participants?

A: Of course! The UN Global Compact aims to engage previous participants and foster a new community of young
leaders disrupting traditional ways of doing business and spearheading change for true SDG impact. By the end of 2025,
the UN Global Compact plans to mobilize 2500+ young professionals in Global Compact participating companies,
primarily in the Global South, to leverage the SDGs to inform the design and development of new business models,
strategies and products within their companies.

Q: What does the SDG Innovation Accelerator for Young Professionals involve?

A: 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.

Q: How is the learning journey structured?

A: Each team of young Innovators will, over the course of 9 months, work on a challenge specific to their company
with the goal of designing more sustainable business models, initiatives and products that will advance the company’s

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sustainability efforts while driving innovation and delivering tangible solutions with potential market value. The
programme takes participants through a design thinking approach to innovation by focusing on the SDGs. Participants
run through each phase of the programme, provided with resources, tools and methodologies that will guide them
through the process of identifying a challenge, designing and testing solutions and validating these solutions for
business value as well as SDG impact. The programme contributes to corporate behavior change by exposing
participants to various business models and digital transformation tools that can be adopted by their companies.

Q: What are the benefits of participation for young professionals?

A: The programme offers young professionals the opportunity to connect with other business units and collaborate
on innovative projects relative to their company and industry. Young professionals will have access to a unique learning
experience through a comprehensive curriculum with a blend of learning opportunities, including on-demand and
in-person workshops, case studies, convening opportunities and forum discussions. Young professionals will also
have the chance to build working relationships and learn from some of the brightest minds working on sustainability
and innovation from around the world.

Q: What are the benefits of participation for companies?

A: 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.

Q: How can my company ensure the protection of our intellectual property if we take part in the programme?

A: 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.

Q: How will the company information from the application forms be used?

A: 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.

Q: Where does the programme take place?

A: The programme is currently being run by Global Compact Country Networks in over 15 countries. For a full list of
Country Networks, please visit the programme web page.

Q: Can young professionals from subsidiaries of UN Global Compact participating companies take part
in the programme?

A: As long as the parent company is a UN Global Compact participating company and the subsidiary is based in a
country whose Global Compact Country Network is taking part, their young professionals are eligible to participate.

Q: What is the commitment my company has to make to take part in the programme?

A: As a participating company, you commit to:

▪ Selecting 2 – 4 Innovators to take part in the programme for the full duration of 9-months;
▪ Allowing Innovators the time needed for full participation in the programme
▪ Identifying a Champion who will support the Innovator team internally within the company

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Q: What is the time commitment for Innovators?

A: Innovators are expected to dedicate a minimum of five (4) hours a month to the Accelerator Learning Plan and attend at
least four (4) in-person 1-day workshops.

Q: What is the difference between Innovators, Champions, and Mentors?

A: 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.

Q: Is there an extra cost for my company to participate?

A: As the programme is run in several different countries, your participating Country 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 Country Network for more details.

B. ELIGIBILITY

Q: Why is the programme only for young professionals?

A: The programme is designed to target employees that do not yet have senior management responsibilities and therefore
have more time to dedicate to a 9-month development programme. There is also a critical opportunity to mobilize young
people working in established companies to innovate from within and accelerate the transition towards business models
that align with the SDGs

Q: Why do you categorize young professionals as 35 and under?

A: There is no set definition for the age of a young professional. Young professionals can be categorized as working
individuals anywhere between the ages of 21 to 40. The age of 35 was selected as the upper age limit for the programme
given that many demographic and population statistical organizations recognize young adulthood at being between
the ages of 18 and 34.

Q: Is any company participating in the UN Global Compact eligible to take part in the programme?

A: All companies participating in the UN Global Compact are eligible to take part in the programme as long as they are
based in a country whose Global Compact Country Network is participating.

Q: How many young professionals can represent my company in the programme?

A: Companies can be represented by a minimum of four (4) teams. Teams can be formed by up to four (4) young profes-
sionals. However, it’s important to note that this requirement may not be applicable to all countries, so it’s recommended
to check with your Country Network for specific details and variations that may exist within your network.

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Q: What are the eligibility criteria for the SDG Innovation Accelerator for young professionals?

A: While there are no set requirements, the programme is designed to target employees aged 35 and under who have
a passion for sustainability, creativity, and demonstrate strong teamwork skills. Employees from business innovation,
Research and Development, marketing, logistics, procurement, customer experience/service and sustainability units are
encouraged to participate.

Q: Does the Global Compact have to approve the Innovator candidates from my company
before they are selected?

A: No, we encourage individuals who best fit the Innovator profile to nominate themselves. When forming the teams, we
ask you to ensure diversity among the candidate pool in terms of business unit and background. Guidance is provided as
to desired qualifications for Innovators.

Q: What kind of companies are encouraged to apply?

A: Because this is an innovation-focused program, we will favor companies that are involving departments such as
Innovation, Research & Development, and Engineering. To encourage knowledge sharing, we want innovators that are not
involved in sustainability-related aspects of the company. In fact, the programme is an opportunity to teach departments
traditionally separate from sustainability about the SDGs.

C. APPLICATION

Q: How do I apply?

A: Companies or young professionals interested in joining the programme can apply on the programme web page
or connect directly to their participating Global Compact Country Network. Due to demand and limited spots in the
programme, Country Networks will need to confirm company participation before approved companies are able to
put forward programme participants.

Q: When does the programme start?

A: February 2025 is when the on-boarding period for Innovators starts, where they are given time to better understand
concepts on SDGs and breakthrough innovation before they start the learning journey. The programme will run until
September 2025.

Q: What is the duration of the programme?

A: The programme will run in annual cycles over the course of 9 months.

Q: My company is not able to take part in the programme this year but would like to participate next year.
Can we sign up now for the next round?

A: Programme applications are managed by Global Compact Country Networks which have the right to determine how
and when to waitlist companies for future rounds of the programme.