The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are powerful, practical, and a guide for making the world we live in, more like the world we would like to live in. UNLEASH is making bold walks towards achieving the SDGs to create a better, more sustainable future for us all.
UNLEASH is a global initiative envisioning to build the world’s leading platform for novel and scalable solutions to reach the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each year, leading up to 2030, 1,000 handpicked talents will come together for ten immersive days of co-creation, to develop smart, implementable and scalable solutions to the SDGs. By using the innovative mindset and partnering them with leading companies, research institutions, foundations, NGOs, and investors, UNLEASH aspires to provide next-generation solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. The beginning of UNLEASH started in Denmark in 2017, followed by Singapore in June 2018. It was also held in 2019 in Shenzhen, China.
UNLEASH represents a massive learning journey for most of the participants, facilitators, and experts involved. Working together with others is probably the most diverse connection and dynamic talent hub that most of us will ever face. UNLEASH is an experiential education tool seeking to motivate and develop skills with talents, facilitators, and experts.
In this way, UNLEASH unites youth beyond solutions and towards a common goal to create change together. The key idea behind the theory of evolution is that every participant in UNLEASH brings back their learnings, reflections, and innovation skills and becomes a positive change maker in their local community. This foundation enables talents to develop and accelerate new ideas and solutions, and therefore it is one of the best opportunities for the changemakers.
How UNLEASH works?
- Working with trusted partners around the globe and selecting top talents with big ideas and a desire to create change.
- Using the SDG’s framework, local and global awareness unlocks new discussion and new perspectives of SDG.
- Developing and selecting top ideas via facilitated business model innovations
- The best solution receives support for implementation by connecting the talents with the technology and local networks.
- Through the regional events, sharing platform, and alumni network, a broader community of global talent is developed.
Programs in UNLEASH:
The three programs are listed below:
- Local Hackathons for the SDGs:
The UNLEASH Hackathons are localized innovation processes addressing sustainability challenges in specific conditions., They can be highly adapted to local needs with the UNLEASH community and methodology as a foundation. Through a collaborative 2-day event, organized by UNLEASH Alumni, passionate talents work with local stakeholders and community leaders to collectively solve problems and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. Three different Hack formats are available: problem-solving, prototyping, and implementation to best address local challenges.
- A Pre-Accelerator for Alumni:
UNLEASH+ is a pre-accelerator for early-stage solutions with a tested prototype. UNLEASH+ strives to fill the gap between building a prototype and reaching users and customers with a solution. UNLEASH+ is not an accelerator program, but rather it is a way to help teams be ready to launch their solution fully. Therefore, UNLEASH+ is looking for solutions that have not yet entered the market but can be ready to do so. Teams should have a prototype of their solution (e.g. of their service, technology, product, or model) and should also have documented feedback from testing this prototype with real users. Basically, this means teams that have completed the Prototype Phase and Testing Phase gate requirements at the UNLEASH Innovation Lab.
- An online platform and network for collaboration:
The UNLEASH Community is comprised of over 3000 talents, facilitators, experts, mentors, masters and participants in UNLEASH programs. The online Community Platform aims to provide its members with opportunities for further developing solutions or skill sets. UNLEASH curates resources and puts talents in touch with external experts, funders, and partners needed to bring ideas.
Eligibility Criteria for selection in UNLEASH:
UNLEASH talents are selected based on an assessment of five criteria:
1. Demonstrated passion and commitment to solving the world’s pressing challenges
2. Possession of a creative and innovative mindset
3. High proficiency in English with the capacity to engage in complex discussions.
4. Approximately 20-35 years of age.
