The SDG Ambition Accelerator is an initiative that aims to challenge and support participating companies of the UN Global Compact in setting ambitious corporate targets and accelerating integration of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into core business management. SDG Ambition enables companies to move beyond incremental progress and step-up transformative change – unlocking business value, building business resilience, and enabling long-term growth.

SDG Ambition empowers and equips participating companies of the UN Global Compact to develop and implement innovative business strategies that significantly increase their positive impact on the SDGs. Through the Global Compact Local Networks, participating companies assess current performance, identify risk areas, discover new opportunities across business units and functions and take ambitious business action towards achieving the SDGs.

Join the Network USA accelerator to be amongst the US cohort contributing to global SDG Ambition. There is no charge to join the Network USA accelerator if your company is a participant of the Network. The program will start in March 2024 and conclude in June 2024. Applications will open on September 15, 2023. You can apply on the main UN Global Compact website.

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ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The UN Global Compact invites companies to join SDG Ambition. In order to take part, companies are required to be participants of the UN Global Compact and to meet the following criteria:

• Currently engaged with a Global Compact Local Network in your region or willing to join (In-country program)
• Committed to strengthening corporate target setting and action to increase progress on the Sustainable Development Goals
• Willing to appoint two representatives to participate in program activities and events and an executive-level “Ambassador” to follow program developments, provide support and participate in high-level events

‍WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• How to strategically prioritize actions that will accelerate your company’s contribution to the 2030 Agenda.
• How to set targets aligned with absolute benchmarks that today may seem aspirational but are critical to spearhead the transformation of economies and societies.
• How to hardwire SDG-related business goals and outcomes into core processes and management of business, to materially.‍

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN

• An understanding of baseline impacts across the business in creating a comprehensive sustainability strategy.
• The ability to achieve ambitious goals aimed at galvanizing business action with what is actually required to achieve the SDGs.
• An overview of how to integrate and mainstream ambitious sustainability goals across business units by pioneering a performance integration approach that utilizes enabling technologies.
• An opportunity to communicate and track progress over time aligned.

‍WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU

• Attendance of all in-person and live sessions.
• Please note that Network USA is unable to provide support for travels at this time and therefore all expenses are to be incurred by the participating companies.
• Commitment to approximately 3 online live-learning sessions to be held throughout the months of March and April (approximately 6 hours total).
• Commitment to on-demand online learning sessions throughout the months of March and April(approximately 3-4 hours total).     

WHAT YOU NEED TO APPLY‍

• Executive sponsor form stating your company's financial and time commitment to your participation in this program, and permission of logo use.
• Two employees of your company, preferably one junior level and one mid to senior-level professional to attend the workshops and complete the online work

TIMELINE

Company registration: September 15, 2023 – November 15, 2023

Program begins: March 2024

Program ends: June 2024

*Please note, this program operates under the privacy structure of the Chatham House Rule.