Application Form and Deadline

Applications for the 2026 WE Empower UN SDG Challenge officially closed on Sunday, March 8, 2026.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet ALL the following criteria to be considered. Finalists are also required to provide audited financial records as part of the vetting process.

• 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.
• You must be at least 21 years old by August 1, 2026.

What to Expect in the Application

Applicants are 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.

Judging Considerations

Applicants are 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.

Have questions about eligibility or the application for future programs, please contact Liz A. Dorn at [email protected] with the subject line “WE Empower UN SDG Challenge Application Inquiry”.