Date: September 2026

2026 United for
SDG Education Award

Honoring the Guardians of Society. Celebrating NGOs, Trusts, and Foundations transforming lives through Sustainable Development Goals.

NGO Field Work
Our Mission

Empowering Grassroots Action

Why the 2026 United for SDG Education Award?

The National 2026 United for SDG Education Award is a prestigious initiative by the Education Board and UNESCO. Our goal is to recognize the unsung heroes—Non-Governmental Organizations—that are the backbone of social and environmental change.

We believe real change happens in the field. By aligning your NGO's projects with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we create a measurable framework for a better tomorrow.

Environmental Protection
Social Welfare
Rural Health
Skill Development

850+

NGOs Joined

17

SDG Goals

Global

Recognition

₹50L

Grant Pool

Eligibility

Who Can Participate?

Open to registered non-profit entities committed to making a difference.

Grassroots NGOs

Field Implementation

For organizations working directly with communities in rural or urban slums.

  • Registered Society/Trust (3+ Years)
  • Active 80G/12A Certification
  • Direct Beneficiary Impact
View Categories

Foundations

Social Trusts & Funding Bodies

For foundations that support education, healthcare, and livelihood through funding.

  • Registered Charitable Trust
  • Scholarship/Grant Programs
  • Scalable Model of Impact
View Categories

CSR Wings

Corporate Responsibility

For Corporate CSR divisions executing high-impact developmental projects.

  • CSR Mandate Compliant
  • Employee Volunteering Programs
  • Sustainability Reports
View Categories
Award Ceremony
Value Proposition

Why Should Your NGO Apply?

Accreditation & Grants

Receive National Accreditation. Top 3 winners in each category receive project expansion grants.

Donor Networking

Present your case studies directly to international funding agencies and CSR heads.

Policy Influence

Winning projects are compiled into a 'Policy Recommendation' book presented to the Ministry.

Project Themes

Choose Your Impact Area

Select the theme that best fits your NGO's current project.

Sustainable Agriculture

SDG 2 SDG 15

Supporting organic farming, farmer cooperatives, and soil health restoration.

Water & Sanitation

SDG 6

Construction of check dams, toilets in rural areas, and clean water access.

Clean Energy

SDG 7 SDG 13

Promoting solar lamps, biogas plants, and energy-efficient solutions in villages.

Community Health

SDG 3

Mobile health clinics, vaccination drives, and maternal health awareness.

Quality Education

SDG 4

Running night schools, vocational training centers, or digital literacy camps.

Gender Equality

SDG 5 SDG 10

Women's Self-Help Groups (SHGs), legal aid for women, and anti-trafficking.

The Journey

Application Roadmap

Step 1: NGO Verification

Oct 1 - Oct 30

Fill out the initial form. Submit your Registration Certificate, 12A/80G copies, and Annual Report for the last financial year.

Verify Details

Step 2: Project Submission

Nov 1 - Nov 20

Select your SDG category. Upload case study videos, beneficiary testimonials, and impact metrics data.

Login Portal

Step 3: Field Inspection

Nov 20 - Dec 10

Shortlisted NGOs will undergo a physical or virtual site visit by the UNESCO-appointed jury to verify claims.

Step 4: Award Gala

Dec 15

Winners announced at the National Ceremony. Certificates, Trophies, and Grant Cheques distributed.

Capacity Building

NGO Training Programs

Build stronger projects, meet compliance, and scale impact.

Practical training for NGOs on project design, legal compliance, fundraising, monitoring & evaluation, and school partnerships — online and in‑person options with clear pricing so you can plan training budgets.

Featured Programs

Program Provider Mode Typical Cost (approx.) Focus Area
Coursera for Nonprofits Online; org license Free / discounted for eligible NGOs Project design; M&E; leadership
NonprofitReady.org Online Free Grant writing; program management
Philanthropy University Online Free / scholarship options Strategy; M&E; fundraising
Candid / Foundation Center Online & workshops Free to paid; premium tools paid Grants research; donor prospecting
Fordham IIHA Online / in‑person $200–$2,000 per course Humanitarian project design; M&E
University Certificate (Nonprofit Mgmt) Online cohort $1,000–$4,000 per participant Governance; finance; compliance
Harvard HKS (Executive Ed) In‑person / online $3,000–$15,000+ Executive strategy; governance
CharityHowTo Live & on‑demand Membership or per‑course fees Grant writing; board development

Why these programs?

  • Practical templates: Tools you can use immediately.
  • Compliance modules: Covering governance, reporting, and donor requirements.
  • Frameworks: Theory of change, logframes, budgets, and M&E.
  • Flexible delivery: Self‑paced for staff; cohort or workshop for leadership.

How to pick the right program

  • Need practical project plans fast? Choose short workshops or platform courses with templates.
  • Need organizational credibility? Choose university certificates or recognized executive programs.
  • On a tight budget? Start with NonprofitReady or Philanthropy University free courses, then upgrade.
  • Want team access? Check organizational licensing (Coursera for Nonprofits, Candid).
Course Design

SDG Awareness & Designing Projects with Schools

A ready‑to‑deliver course NGOs can run with schools to create SDG‑aligned projects.

Course Overview

Duration

5 days (30 contact hours) or 6 weeks blended

Delivery

In‑person workshop or blended

Target Audience

NGO staff, school coordinators, teachers, youth leaders


Learning Outcomes
  • Explain the 17 SDGs & identify local relevance.
  • Conduct rapid needs assessment with stakeholders.
  • Design SDG‑aligned projects using Theory of Change.
  • Prepare budgets, compliance & safeguarding plans.
  • Develop M&E plans & donor pitches.
Suggested Fee

₹2k–₹5k

per participant (local delivery)

Marketing Blurb

"Empower schools to act on the SDGs. This hands‑on course equips NGO teams and teachers to co‑design practical, measurable school projects that advance SDG targets, protect children, and attract local funding."

Detailed Course Structure

  • Intro video: SDGs in local context.
  • Reading: SDG one‑page cheat sheet.
  • Task: Fill a short school profile form.

  • Session 1: Overview of SDGs and local relevance.
  • Session 2: Mapping SDGs to school needs (group exercise).
  • Deliverable: SDG mapping worksheet.

  • Session 1: Rapid needs assessment tools for schools.
  • Session 2: Stakeholder mapping and consent processes.
  • Deliverable: School needs brief + stakeholder map.

  • Session 1: Theory of change fundamentals.
  • Session 2: Writing SMART objectives and indicators.
  • Deliverable: Draft logframe.

  • Session 1: Simple project budgeting and cost categories.
  • Session 2: Compliance essentials (permissions, child protection, data privacy).
  • Deliverable: Budget template + compliance checklist.

  • Session 1: M&E basics and simple tools (surveys, observation).
  • Session 2: Crafting a 5‑minute pitch and stakeholder outreach plan.
  • Deliverable: M&E plan + pitch deck (1–2 slides).

Activity: Implement a mini pilot in one school; submit project report and lessons learned.

Certification: Certificate of completion for participants who submit capstone.

Included Materials

  • SDG one‑pager & mapping worksheet
  • Needs assessment checklist
  • Stakeholder consent & MOUs
  • Theory of change & logframe templates
  • Budget Excel template
  • Child safeguarding checklist
  • M&E tracker spreadsheet
  • Facilitator guide (concise)

Est. Cohort Budget

Based on 25 participants, local delivery.

Facilitators ₹25,000
Venue/Logistics ₹10,000
Materials ₹5,000
Refreshments ₹6,000
Admin ₹4,000
Total ₹50,000

FAQ

Q: Suitable for small NGOs?

A: Yes — templates and low‑cost budgeting make it accessible.

Q: Certificate provided?

A: Yes, on successful completion of the capstone.

Stories from the Field

Watch how last year's winning NGOs utilized the grant to transform their villages.

Join the Movement

Is your NGO ready to be recognized on a national platform?

NGOs & Trusts

For Project Directors & Founders

Start NGO Application
CSR & Foundations

For CSR Heads & Managers

Start Corporate Partner Form