University of Calgary’s SDG Youth Leadership

Location: Canada

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Overview

The University of Calgary has launched an exciting initiative for 2025: the SDG Youth Leadership Certificate, a free, fully online program designed for Canadian post-secondary students. Inspired by the University of Waterloo’s successful program, this initiative aims to equip young leaders with the knowledge and skills to drive sustainable development in their communities, aligning with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Who Can Apply?

The program is open to students enrolled in Canadian post-secondary institutions. With a capacity of 150 participants, spots are limited—early registration is recommended.

Certificate Completion
To earn a certificate signed by Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, students must:

Participants also gain free access to over 2,000 SDG Academy courses, with the option to purchase an additional certificate of completion directly from SDG Academy.

Application Procedure

  1. Enroll in the program: Register Here
  2. Sign up for an SDG Academy course: Explore Courses

What Financial Support is Available?

  1. One of the standout features of this program is that it is entirely free for participants. There are no registration fees or charges for accessing workshops and SDG Academy courses.
  2. Participants gain complimentary access to over 2,000 SDG Academy courses. While a certificate of completion for these courses is optional, those who wish to receive it will need to pay a nominal fee directly to the SDG Academy. This is not a mandatory expense for the University of Calgary program.

Other Details

Program Highlights

1. Flexible Learning
Participants select a self-paced course through the renowned SDG Academy, focusing on a specific SDG or sustainability topic of their choice. These courses provide foundational knowledge, which participants can apply during reflective discussions and workshops.

2. Skill-Building Workshops
Six biweekly workshops, held on Saturdays, offer interactive sessions and insights from guest speakers. These workshops cover critical skills like project management, grant writing, and systems thinking to prepare participants for real-world applications.

3. Community Impact Projects
The program encourages students to initiate community meetings and develop advocacy projects, fostering critical thinking and hands-on leadership experience.

For More Information

Workshop Schedule

The workshops are scheduled on Saturdays at 1 p.m. ET. Topics include:

  1. Project Management and Budgeting Essentials
  2. Youth Entrepreneurship and the SDGs
  3. Introduction to Systems Thinking
  4. Developing Collaboration and Partnerships for the SDGs
  5. Funding Action: Grant Writing Basics
  6. Tools for Changing Behaviour: Community-Based Social Marketing

The complete schedule will be announced soon.

Expected Time Commitment

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