The Government of Liberia through its lead agency on WASH, the National Water Sanitation and Hygiene Commission (NWASHC) invited the Liberian organizing team to introduce to them the Winning Team of the UNLEASH Hacks Liberia 2020. The Commission promised to work with the Team in helping to scale up their innovation as well as support […]
We have a vision to build the world’s leading initiative and platform for innovative, implementable and scalable solutions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
By using the innovative mindset of young people and partner talents with leading companies, research institutions, foundations, non-profits, and investors, we aspire to provide next generation solutions for the SDGs.
Our mission is to accelerate disruptive ideas by engaging top talents in problem-solving and co-creation activities and by providing the support needed to bring the best ideas to life.
The SDG challenge is immense. To realize the SDGs, it is estimated that the world will need to invest a staggering amount of between USD 5 trillion and 7 trillion per year – roughly 7%-10% of global annual GDP. To put these numbers into perspective, total investment into the Apollo Space Program (1963-72) to put a man on the moon was approximately USD 150 billion at present value.
New business models are needed to ignite change. To achieve the SDGs by 2030 will require new and innovative solutions that challenge traditional business models and approaches. Many of these solutions will need to be commercially viable as well as deliver value to society.
Talents must be mobilized. Harnessing the next generation of leaders will be critical if this is to be possible – they bring fresh perspectives, open minds, different values, tech savviness, and an appetite for disruption. Who would have thought few years back that the largest hotel chain in the world owned no rooms, the largest taxi company owned no cars, and the largest retailer owned no stores?
Every year, UNLEASH chooses different themes for the talents to work on. These themes are closely related to the SDGs and provide guidelines for impact. This year, we will have an extra focus on climate action, which will be the theme of at least two of our Hacks as well as hosting Hacks in developing countries, which are sponsored by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
June 2
Hack application opening for Organizing Teams
June 21
Hack application closing for Organizing Teams
From August
Hack applications opening for Hack Participants
September-December
Hacks to be executed
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is the largest global partnership agreement and development plan for the planet ever made. It was agreed upon by all UN member states in September 2015 and consist of 17 goals and 169 targets. The goals ultimately aspire to create a better, more inclusive and more prosperous world by 2030. To make this happen, we need to identify new solutions, create partnerships and UNLEASH the vast potential of young, innovative minds.