Celebrating Local Action for Global Goals

The SDG Champions Award is a recognition programme for YMCA’s across Ireland that are actively raising public awareness and integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their work with young people and communities. Local YMCA’s can demonstrate, through Global Youth Work activities, that everyone in society can make a contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This award aligns with YMCA Ireland’s value of Peace & Justice and is an ongoing commitment to this value.

The SDG Framework provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. It is an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership, to achieve these 17 goals. 

What does it entail?

Participating YMCAs will:

• Promote the SDGs in their local context
• Integrate sustainable development themes into activities and programmes
• Act as examples of good practice
• Share learnings with others in the YMCA network

How to achieve the award:

To receive the SDG Champions Award, your YMCA must:

• Show ongoing promotion and alignment of work with the SDGs
• Ensure sustainable development themes are embedded in at least one programme in your YMCA
• Involving young people in identifying and addressing local & Global SDG challenges

How the YMCA Global Youth Work Team will support you:

• Ongoing mentoring and check-ins tailored to your YMCA
• Access to SDG learning resources and good practice examples
• Tailored support to help embed SDGs into existing programmes

What’s in it for Local YMCA’s?

• Formal acknowledgement as a YMCA SDG Champion and a certificate of achievement for successful completion
• Opportunities to showcase your work at national YMCA events and through YMCA Ireland communications
• Boost your local reputation as a leader in sustainability and youth empowerment
• Staff and young people will gain a deeper understanding of the SDGs and how they connect to everyday community issues
• Inspire young people to take action locally and think globally

Get inspired with examples of Global Youth Work in YMCA Ireland.