Sustainability Olympiad

The Sustainability Olympiad is a global competition that empowers university students to co-create solutions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Student teams tackle real-world challenges in partnership with international organisations. Finalists come together at the global awards to share their ideas, connect across borders, and scale impact.

What we do.

A group photo of approximately 30 students and organisers standing together in front of a deep blue wall at Politecnico di Milano, with the university’s logo and "POLITECNICO MILANO 1863" printed on either side. The participants, wearing summer attir
A group of enthusiastic young participants pose in front of a banner displaying the Geneva SDG Solution Space and YOMA SDG Summer School logos. They are all wearing black "Donate Water – WaSH Monitor" t-shirts and smiling brightly, with several makin
A vibrant group of young people stand smiling on a rooftop in Geneva, holding colourful cushions that each represent one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The group is diverse and energetic, with a bright blue sky and mountain views in
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How to participate?

  • Organize a Sustainable Innovation Event

    Are you hosting a Sustainable Innovation event — such as a university course, hackathon, summer school, or innovation lab?
    Register your event and join our global network!

  • Propose a sustainability challenge

    Do you want to bring a challenge to the Sustainability Olympiad?
    Mentor a team and join our network!

  • Advocate for your university to join our network

    Are you a student interested in participating in the Sustainability Olympiad?
    Help us connect with your university to host a local Sustainable Innovation event.

Join now!

What the Students Are Saying

  • Adela Damika

    “I really appreciated how the SDG Olympiad team designed the programme—although the schedule is packed, it never felt rushed, and everything flowed naturally. It helped me see how an innovation can go beyond the idea stage and actually be scaled and implemented. Coming from Southeast Asia, I was the only participant representing the region, and I hope future editions can build partnerships with universities in Southeast Asia to involve even more students.”

  • Teresia Nyandoro

    “I learned that innovation is not only about inventions. Something that may seem small to you can be a very big problem for others. After the programme, I feel more able to solve real problems that people face in different contexts.”

  • Nafisah Dauda

    Through the SDG Olympiad, I traveled from my country to Geneva, met people from different backgrounds, learned a lot, and made friends. The experience in this space really changed my mindset and motivation, especially as an entrepreneur.

  • Imisioluwa Onafeso

    “Participating in the SDG Olympiad was a transformative experience that deepened my commitment to innovation and sustainability. This experience has strengthened my resolve to expand Plasticonn and encourage more environmental accountability in Nigeria and the rest of the world”.

  • Tanvir Rafi

    “The SDG Olympiad 2024 shifted my perspective, making me more committed to sustainability and real-world problem-solving. It showed me that with the right ideas and collaboration, young minds can drive real change”.

  • Aknur Kassim

    “The SDG Olympiad was nothing short of a transformative experience for me. Beyond the invaluable workshops and the opportunity to pitch our team’s project in front of a large audience, this event connected me with like-minded, ambitious individuals – people with a fire in their eyes and a shared passion for creating global impact”.