Last February, Global Compact headquarters announced the launch of a multi-year Local Network SDG Action Plan – the centerpiece being a “Pioneers” Programme aimed to spur action and inspire business to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) locally. The overall Action Plan is designed to assist the Global Compact’s 80-plus Local Networks in developing and executing relevant SDG implementation strategies and link these, where possible, with national plans of action.

The launch of the UN Global Compact Local SDG Pioneers programme kicks off the Action Plan and is designed to honor select business leaders and change-makers who can demonstrate that businesses can be successful while contributing to sustainable development.

The global campaign for Local SDG Pioneers will have two submission criteria to help identify individuals who are acting on the new SDG business opportunities. The first category will identify the best local business leaders and the second will identify the best local change-makers. Any person with an official affiliation to an active UN Global Compact participant organization (both private sector and civil society), or PRME school can be nominated as a Local SDG Pioneer.

A Pioneers Selection Group of leading experts from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors will cast their votes based on a set of criteria, and identify five finalists for each category. The Pioneer in each category with the most votes will receive special recognition at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit, 22-23 June 2016, and will enter into a year-long programme with the UN Global Compact to further develop the Pioneers’ global potential and support their ambitions.

Watch the video of the "Pioneers" Programme launch