17 April 2025 – The SDG Innovation (SDGI) Accelerator for Young Professionals, organized by the UN Global Compact Network Indonesia (IGCN), gathered 94 professionals from 20 companies for its first Innovation Camp. This three-hour online session introduced participants to practical methods for aligning business strategies with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During the camp, participants explored how the SDGs intersect with their business operations through structured assessment tools and group exercises. The innovation camp, facilitated by Universitas Sebelas Maret lecturers Septyanto Galan Prakoso and Ferdian Ahya Al Putra, combined theoretical frameworks with hands-on activities to link theory with practical business applications.
Participants of the camp worked through two main segments consisting of the analysis of SDG-related business risks and opportunities, followed by the development of specific challenge statements. In the first segment, they expanded their perspective to identify potential social and market risks and opportunities through the SDGs optic. By doing so, they actively explored how achieving the SDGs can transform their respective industry. Within the second segment, camp participants framed their SDG business challenge using the tools and methods they had learned to develop definitive challenge statements.
Each professional who participated in this camp created action plans tailored to their organization’s context. As part of the process, the challenge statements in the plans must then undergo a validation process from company Champions and stakeholders to ensure alignment with their company’s strategic objectives.
Overall, this first camp serves as the foundation for a comprehensive innovation program. Participants will continue their learning journey in two upcoming sessions, an online Challenge Definition workshop on May 8, and a Solutions Development session with the SDGI Launch & Challenge Showcase on May 21, 2025. Both of these follow-up sessions will build upon the foundational work completed in this first camp.
The SDG Innovation Accelerator for Young Professionals represents a key benefit of the UN Global Compact, offering companies structured pathways to advance their sustainability goals. By identifying challenges and creating practical solutions, participating companies strengthen their competitive position while contributing to sustainable development objectives, demonstrating the tangible value of UN Global Compact participation in driving business innovation and social impact.
