The Anthem Awards is one of the largest and most comprehensive social impact awards program that honours incredible, purpose-driven work from individuals, companies and organisations around the globe. The 4^th  Annual Anthem Awards marked the most competitive season yet, with over 2,300 entries submitted from 34 countries. By recognising projects and initiatives that drive global change, the Anthem Awards establish a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires action in communities worldwide.

“We are truly honoured to have our commitment to the Global Goals recognised by the Anthem Awards,” said Stephanie Choi, EVP & Head of Marketing, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung is dedicated to harnessing the power of technology to inspire collective action, open collaboration and creating a better future for all. As we advance towards 2030 alongside the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Samsung Global Goals app will remain vital for driving action and progress toward achieving the Global Goals.”

Developed in partnership with the UNDP, the Samsung Global Goals app empowers millions worldwide to contribute directly to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals. Launched in 2019, the app now has nearly 300 million Galaxy users^[1] around the world and has raised over $20 million^[2] to support UNDP initiatives through user donations, in-app advertisements and matching donations from Samsung.

The Samsung Global Goals app has engaged millions of Galaxy users and raised substantial funds to support UNDP’s work in advancing the Global Goals and contributing to their achievements.

For more information about the partnership, read the 2024 Global Goals Report here. To learn more about the Samsung Global Goals app, download the app from the Google Play Store.

^[1] Total number of users as of September 2024

^[2] Total contributions as of September 2024

Central to this mission is the belief in the potential of young people, particularly millennials and Gen Z. As tech-savvy global citizens, their optimism and conviction drive progress on issues like climate change and social equity. With the right tools and platforms, they have the power to influence policymakers and businesses toward a more sustainable future.

As the 2030 deadline for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) approaches, Samsung and UNDP remain committed to the Global Goals. Both organisations have made significant strides in creating real-world impact by prioritising innovation. In celebration of United Nations Day, Samsung has released a report that marks our five-year relationship, highlighting progress in raising awareness of the Global Goals through initiatives like the Samsung Global Goals app and Generation17.

“We believe in the power of collective effort to create a better future for upcoming generations and using technology for the greater good,” said Stephanie Choi, EVP & Head of Marketing, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Our partnership with UNDP over the past five years has been a meaningful step in this journey, as we’ve worked together to support young changemakers and raise awareness of the Global Goals. We’re grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a better future for all, and we look forward to continuing our journey to 2030 with the Galaxy community.”

“The only way we are going to confront the world’s biggest challenges is through cooperation. Our partnership with Samsung shows the power of true collaboration between the public and private sectors,” added Achim Steiner, Administrator of UNDP. “We are proud of the progress that we’ve seen in both the Samsung Global Goals app and the Generation17 initiative to empower youth to advance the SDGs. We look forward to continuing and exploring new frontiers in our partnership to drive sustainable development in the years ahead.”

Samsung Global Goals App

The Samsung Global Goals app allows Galaxy users to work toward the Global Goals in an easy, collaborative way.

Samsung and UNDP partnered in 2019 to launch the Samsung Global Goals app^[1] — a platform that educates Galaxy users about the 17 Global Goals and allows them to generate donations through in-app ads, using wallpapers to increase their earnings and direct contributions. Samsung then matches all proceeds from the in-app ads, maximising our collaborative efforts to support UNDP’s work in advancing the Global Goals and contributing to their achievement.

To further engage Galaxy users, we introduced new interactive features such as the Donation Leader Board in 2023. In 2024, we launched limited-edition wallpapers as “Thank-you Gifts” as a token of appreciation to active users. The wallpapers, available on Samsung Galaxy smartphones and watches, highlight different endangered species supported by UNDP Global Goals initiatives.

The Samsung Global Goals app has engaged millions of Galaxy users and raised substantial funds to support UNDP’s work in advancing the Global Goals and contributing to their achievements.

Since its launch, the Samsung Global Goals app has reached nearly 300 million Galaxy users^[2] and raised more than $20 million^[3] for UNDP. Users have identified Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) as their top priorities, offering valuable insights into the global issues that matter most to them.

Galaxy users have identified Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) as their top priorities.

Looking ahead, we are dedicated to expanding the app’s impact to inspire collective action and create lasting change.

Generation17

In 2020, Samsung and UNDP launched Generation17 to support young changemakers advancing the Global Goals with the belief in the power of youth to create meaningful change. The initiative provides technology, mentorship and networking opportunities to Young Leaders worldwide — supporting 16 such individuals across six regions to date and sharing their stories through Samsung and UNDP’s global platforms.

Through the initiative, the Generation17 Young Leaders have been able to attend major global events such as the Mobile World Congress, the UN Economic and Social Council Youth Forum and the UN Summit of the Future Action Days. These engagements give them a platform to collaborate with global decision-makers across different sectors.

In just four years, UNDP and Samsung, through Generation17, have supported Young Leaders who believe this initiative has significantly contributed to achieving remarkable results and making a resounding impact on their communities. While Generation17 has provided valuable resources and opened doors for the Young Leaders, their success is ultimately a testament to their drive, creativity, entrepreneurial skills, networks and passion for advancing the Global Goals. Through these combined efforts, the Young Leaders feel that this initiative has scaled the impact of their work, allowing them to reach more people within their communities, raise awareness of their work and advance all 17 Global Goals through the power of technology.

Samsung Newsroom highlights how Generation17 leaders Efe Johnson, Thùy Anh Ngô and Tafara Makaza are leveraging technology to address challenges such as reproductive health education, care for the elderly, economic mobility and more — demonstrating how innovative solutions can inspire change and action.

Efe Johnson

A reproductive and sexual health advocate from Kaduna, Nigeria, Efe Johnson founded Xari Africa to break taboos surrounding sexual and reproductive health across Africa after experiencing shame and confusion during her first menstrual period. Xari Africa educates girls on topics like menstruation, birth control and sexual health.

Xari Africa has impacted 4,500 girls across Africa through school workshops, online courses and Efe’s practical health guide Just Period It. She now aims to expand her platform to reach 1 million girls.

Efe prioritises Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 5 (Gender Equality) in her work to empower and educate girls across Africa.

Thùy Anh Ngô

Thùy Anh Ngô founded HASU, a mobile platform in Vietnam that improves the physical, mental and social well-being of older adults. Inspired by her late grandfather’s fear of burdening his family, she developed HASU to meet the needs of Vietnam’s aging population. The app offers health advice, exercise routines and social forums to keep seniors connected and active.

Thùy Anh has concentrated on stabilising internal operations and optimising services for seniors over the past year, contributing to HASU reaching over 50,000 individuals. Her newest program, a memoir-writing service, has been helping clients from various backgrounds — including key opinion leaders, politicians and retired professionals — preserve and cherish their treasured memories.

Thùy Anh prioritises Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities) in her work to support older adults in Vietnam.

Tafara Makaza

A social entrepreneur and technologist from Zimbabwe, Tafara Makaza co-founded Fixa — a digital platform that connects informal workers with safe, reliable employment opportunities in Africa. Dubbed the “LinkedIn for the linked out,” Fixa helps workers create digital profiles and gives them access to formal jobs and financial services.

Tafara has connected over 8,000 workers to more than 300,000 job opportunities, disbursing more than $2 million in salaries since starting the platform in 2021. He is empowering individuals across Africa to achieve economic independence.

Tafara prioritises  Goal 1 (No Poverty) and Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) in his work to improve employment in Africa.

Looking Towards 2030

With 2030 on the horizon, Samsung’s commitment to driving global progress has only strengthened. The company continues to harness its technological expertise to fuel collective action for meaningful change by supporting UNDP and young changemakers worldwide. Through initiatives like the Samsung Global Goals app and Generation17, Samsung remains focused on building a more sustainable future for all.

Click here to download the full report.

^[1] Samsung Global Goals app seen on the image is simulated for illustrative purposes. Availability and supported device models may vary by market and are subject to change

^[2] Total number of users as of September 2024

^[3] Total contribution as of September 2024

Yi Jun is a member of Generation17, a partnership between Samsung and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), empowering young people around the world who are contributing to the Global Goals.

Like most kids, Mock Yi Jun dreamed of what he would be when he grew up.

Once he was old enough, he did internships and attended various career events. It was an “eye opening experience,” he recalls. He learned the value of real-world exposure to a variety of professions.

Most young people, Yi Jun realized, didn’t have opportunities to connect with the professionals they aspired to be. Career preparedness needed to improve dramatically, and it needed to be more accessible.

Yi Jun hosts an Advisory Singapore panel discussion connecting young people with digital leaders.

Real-Life Insight Into Career Paths

Yi Jun meets with his Advisory Singapore team.

 

Connecting People Through Tech

 

Technology was instrumental to the group’s founding. “Our partnership was powered by video calls and virtual communication, as we were all in different continents when we started,” Yi Jun recalls.

 

And technology has been pivotal to Advisory Singapore’s impressive growth – as an online platform, there are no bounds to its reach. This unfettered accessibility has enabled the organization to connect with over 500,000 young people and support over 3,000 mentees through one-to-one mentorship.

 

“These digital mediums allow us to reach students where they are, no matter which school they come from, no matter where they live,” Yi Jun says.

 

He and his co-founders want to continue expanding Advisory Singapore’s footprint to support the United Nations Global Goals, advancing quality education (Goal 4), ensuring full and productive employment (Goal 8), and reducing inequalities (Goal 10) on a worldwide scale.

“We believe that everyone deserves to find meaningful work regardless of their socio-economic status, family background, or education,” Yi Jun says.

 

Jamie Lim, an Advisory Singapore team member and past mentee program participant, meets with her mentor, Marcus Loh.

 

The Mentorship Difference

 

Advisory Singapore’s mentorship program includes partnerships with over 30 of the world’s largest companies.

 

Jamie Lim, a fourth-year student at Singapore Management University, says it opened doors for her and connected her with “a mentor for life.”

 

The impact of these connections can be profound and far-reaching.

“It’s a way to build a culture of giving back,” Yi Jun says of Advisory Singapore. “A culture of young people who are moving from school into the workforce, who know how beneficial it is to have someone on the journey with them. That guidance helps them to reach their full potential and inspires them to pay it forward.”