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
Launched by the UN Secretary General, President of the World Bank and the Council of Women World Leaders at the UN General Assembly in 2018, the WE (women entrepreneurs) Empower UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Challenge is the first-of-its-kind global competition for women social entrepreneurs who are advancing the UN SDGs and inspiring entire communities to create the world we want by 2030.
The opportunity recognizes their innovative work and provides Awardees with capacity-building training sessions and opportunities to connect with an unparalleled global network to advance their enterprises. This program elevates and showcases the valuable contribution women social entrepreneurs and business leaders can make toward the SDGs and solving the world’s greatest challenges.
In 2024, the WE Empower Challenge Awardees participated in events surrounding the 79th UN General Assembly and connected with renowned business experts from around the world. Read more about our 2024 Awardees and Finalists in our special booklet – view booklet.
The WE Empower Challenge is co-convened by ASU Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory and Vital Voices Global Partnership
Lina Maria Useche Kempf
Co-Founder and Head of Institutional Relations, Aliança Empreendedora
2024 WE Empower Awardee (Latin America and the Carribean)
Tatiana Estevez
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Permalution
2024 WE Empower Awardee (Middle East and North Africa)
Lachmi Baniya
Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer, Icarus Media Group
2024 WE Empower Awardee (Asia and the Pacific)
Dr. Edda Aradottir
Co-Founder and CEO, Carbfix
2024 WE Empower Awardee (Europe, North America and Other)
Teresa Njoroge
Founder, and CEO, Clean Start Africa
2024 WE Empower Awardee (Sub-Saharan Africa)
Our objectives
Honor
Honor innovative women entrepreneurs who are supporting and achieving the SDGs through sustainable business practices and inspiration for others to follow suit.
Invest
Invest in the most inspiring and transformational women entrepreneurs – providing access to seed capital, unique trainings, capacity building, a network of their peers, visibility and credibility for their work.
Ignite
Ignite awareness and catalyze change among policy makers and financiers, of the contributions women entrepreneurs make in contributing to the SDGs and the legislative and the obstacles they still face, from legal discrimination to access to capital.
Lead partner spotlight
The WE Empower Challenge is supported by a number of fantastic partners.
BMO
BMO is a leading bank driven by a single purpose: to boldly grow the good, in business and life. Every day, they continue to set their sights higher, inspired by their purpose and energized by the opportunity to create positive change for the customers and communities they serve.
P&G
P&G brands are trusted in millions of living rooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms—and have been passed down from generation to generation. Over the course of 181 years, they’ve challenged convention, led innovation and helped shape culture. But no matter how much the company grows, they always keep themselves grounded in their deep-rooted purpose, values and principles. They’ve done it for over 66,000 days, and they don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
RELX
RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers, enabling them to make better decisions, get better results and be more productive.
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