Since 2020, the initiative has supported Young Leaders worldwide with Samsung Galaxy technology, mentorship and networking opportunities to amplify their stories and advance solutions across all 17 Global Goals.

When devastating floods submerged her home state in Brazil, Renata Koch Alvarenga questioned whether her work was making a difference. Instead of retreating, she doubled down, launching an ambitious program to prepare women and youth for the climate crisis ahead.

The 17 Global Goals refer to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all by 2030. They cover interrelated areas such as quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, climate action, life on land and below water, among others.

The images still haunt her. In May 2024, the state of Rio Grande do Sul faced the worst flooding in its history, submerging Renata Koch Alvarenga’s hometown of Porto Alegre under record-breaking floodwaters. Nearly 600,000 people were displaced, streets disappeared, and the airport remained closed for months.

▲ The 2024 floods in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, affected nearly 2.4 million people and caused widespread damage across 478 municipalities, including Porto Alegre, shown here.

“My heart was definitely breaking,” she recalls. “I saw so many places that I grew up going to, such as parks and museums, destroyed.”

What happened in Brazil reflects a growing global threat. Climate change is heating oceans and shifting rainfall patterns, intensifying extreme weather events like floods. By 2100, coastal flood risk is expected to increase fivefold, threatening more than 70 million people worldwide, according to UNDP. 

After years of climate advocacy and educational outreach, the devastation – some of it in the very communities Renata had worked to protect – left her questioning if her efforts were enough. “I like to say that I’m a climate optimist and always like to see the glass half full, but that was a key moment in which it was very hard to keep being an optimist,” she says. “It was very hard to keep going.”

For Renata, the choice became clear: give in to doubt, or double down on her mission.

Discovering Climate Justice

Renata’s path to climate activism began in college when she received the opportunity to attend COP21 – the 21^st United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties – held in Paris in 2015, where world leaders negotiated the landmark Paris Agreement. “I saw multiple diplomats say, ‘I don’t really understand why we’re talking about gender. This has nothing to do with climate change,’” she says.

This dismissive response sparked something within her. Renata’s studies had shown that the climate crisis impacts people differently based on gender and economic status – with women often facing the harshest consequences while being excluded from decision-making. This imbalance lies at the heart of climate justice. According to UN Women, by 2050, climate change may push up to 158 million more women and girls into extreme poverty, compared to 16 million more men and boys.

Renata left COP21 determined to change things.

▲ Inspired by what she witnessed in Paris, Renata worked to create pathways for marginalized voices in climate advocacy.

Leveraging Technology for Impact

 Following years of advocacy and study, Renata founded EmpoderaClima, a climate and gender advocacy and education organization with a simple principle: knowledge is empowerment, and empowerment is equality. It originally launched as a website in 2019 using technology to democratize climate information.

“Technology is essential for EmpoderaClima because it allows us to reach people we otherwise couldn’t,” says Renata. “The scale and multiplying effect of social media and our digital database is incredibly powerful,” she adds.

By translating resources on climate and gender equity into French, Spanish and Portuguese, EmpoderaClima broke down language barriers that excluded communities from international climate discussions. And social media enabled the organization to scale rapidly, reaching more than 60,000 people across the world.

▲ The EmpoderaClima website features climate change resources in multiple languages, making them accessible to communities across Latin America and beyond.

Expanding Beyond Digital

 As EmpoderaClima grew, so did its initiatives. The organization now runs student workshops, offers climate and leadership mentorship programs for women, and leads advocacy efforts that bring young women to global stages.

Through school visits, Renata’s team takes climate education to youth in vulnerable communities, highlighting the United Nations’ Global Goals with a focus on quality education (Goal 4), gender equality (Goal 5) and climate action (Goal 13).

▲ Students in flood-impacted São Leopoldo, Brazil, learn how their climate experiences connect to global policy.

Brazil’s floods last year exposed gaps in emergency response, including services that address the needs of women and children. In response, Renata launched the Women for Climate Resilience program, where local leaders gain skills in disaster preparedness, mental health and climate adaptation, then carry the knowledge back to their communities. So far, the initiative has reached women from three regions of Brazil.

“Today I feel empowered, strengthened, renewed,” said Janaína dos Santos, a social worker in Porto Alegre, at a recent Women for Climate Resilience workshop.

▲ Women leaders participate in EmpoderaClima’s climate resilience workshop, learning skills and strategies to better prepare for future climate disasters.

Building an Inclusive Climate Future

As climate disasters become more frequent and intense, Renata says her work has never felt more important. “My dream for the future,” she says, “is expanding our reach globally and building an even bigger network of women who are empowered and ready to take action for climate justice.” Technology, she believes, has been vital to EmpoderaClima’s evolution and will be just as critical in scaling impact in the years ahead.

For Renata, the flood marks in her hometown represent not only loss, but also resilience and an opportunity to rebuild with justice at the center. Her vision is clear: a world where women and youth don’t just endure climate challenges but shape climate solutions.

Gwynne Gauntlett, Global Digital Fundraising and Marketing Lead at United Nations Development Programme

“UNDP’s partnership with Samsung highlights the importance of integrating expertise, technology, innovation, and advocacy to effectively pursue the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and inspire the next generation of global citizens to actively take meaningful actions.”

Q. What does sustainability mean to the UNDP?

In 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission coined the definition of sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Subsequently, in September 2015, the General Assembly embraced the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, encompassing 17 SDGs. Anchored in the principle of “leaving no one behind,” the 2030 Agenda underscores a comprehensive approach to attaining sustainable development for all.

For UNDP, sustainability lies at the heart of its mission, guiding its work towards creating a more equitable and resilient world. By adopting an integrated approach that addresses environmental concerns, economic development, and peacebuilding, UNDP plays a crucial role in promoting global sustainability. To learn more about UNDP’s strategic plan, please visit this link.

Q. What are the key sustainability goals of the UNPD and how do they contribute to the broader global agenda for sustainable development?

While UNDP is dedicated to achieving the 17 SDGs outlined in the 2030 Agenda, its specific attention lies in poverty and inequality reduction, governance, resilience, environment, energy, and gender equality. As the leading agency within the United Nations for international development, UNDP operates in 170 countries and territories to support in eradicating poverty and diminishing inequality. For instance, by 2022, 25 million people gained access to basic services, with support from 44 UNDP offices and 11 million benefited from jobs and improved livelihoods in crisis or post-crisis settings in 2022; 49% being female. UNDP also assists nations in policy development, leadership enhancement, partnership building, and institutional strengthening, all geared towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

It is crucial to recognise that UNDP’s approach is multidimensional and interconnected, addressing the interdependencies between various SDGs to foster sustainable development worldwide. Visit this link to read UNDP’s Annual Report 2022.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.

Q. How important is it to leverage innovation and technology to raise awareness and promote the SDGs?

In today’s rapidly evolving world, the significance of leveraging innovation and technology to raise awareness and promote the SDGs cannot be overstated. Without the advancements brought about by technology, we would not only be disconnected from the reality of our global challenges but also miss out on crucial opportunities to address the “Global Goals” outlined in the 2030 Agenda. In fact, flagship research by UNDP and the University of Denver found that targeted investments in digitalisation, social protection, and the green economy could cut the number of people living in extreme poverty by 146 million by 2030. Hence, UNDP has made substantial investments in transforming into a digitally proficient organisation that utilises cutting-edge technology in its operations and assists developing nations in leveraging the benefits of the digital revolution.

We believe that, by harnessing the power of technology, fostering awareness, and promoting the SDGs, we are able to effectively reach and engage with a variety of audiences, inspire collective action, and mobilise resources to accelerate progress towards a sustainable future for all.

The Samsung Global Goals app enables Galaxy users to actively participate in creating a more promising future by learning more about the SDGs.

 Q. Could you elaborate on the UNDP’s approach to partnering with companies like Samsung to achieve sustainability goals? How do these partnerships contribute to the overall mission of the UNDP?

Addressing the most pressing challenges to achieve sustainable development is a shared responsibility, and today, we witness growing partnerships between various sectors, working together to tackle these challenges head-on. At UNDP, we highly value private-public sector partnerships as they play a pivotal role in advancing the SDGs and generating widespread awareness about them, which remains one of our top priorities.

UNDP’s work with Samsung shows how a strong and uniquely innovative digital partnership can take shape. Partnerships like this have the potential to act as models for upcoming resource mobilisation approaches across the private sector. UNDP’s partnership with Samsung highlights the importance of integrating expertise, technology, innovation, and advocacy to effectively pursue the SDGs and inspire the next generation of global citizens to actively take meaningful actions to achieve them.

 Q. What specific areas or projects have the UNDP and Samsung collaborated on to address sustainability challenges? How have these collaborations made a tangible impact on the ground?

Since 2019, Samsung and UNDP have collaborated on advancing the SDGs through the Samsung Global Goals app and the Generation17 initiative.

The Samsung Global Goals app offers Galaxy users the opportunity to familiarise themselves with all 17 SDGs and their impact on communities worldwide. Through the app, users actively contribute to the achievement of these Global Goals by learning about each goal and making direct donations to UNDP to support its ongoing development work. With the app already installed on over 300 million Galaxy devices globally and accessible in 92 different languages, it has significantly expanded UNDP’s global outreach. While the donations received through the app have surpassed $10 million so far, it’s important to note that the primary objective of the partnership is not financial. Instead, the focus lies on leveraging our organisational strengths to make a tangible impact in advancing the SDGs.

Generation17 young leaders featured on the Samsung Global Goals app, so that users can engage with their work and feel inspired to join them in driving change.

Another significant collaboration within the partnership is Generation17, which places youth at the forefront of UNDP’s work. Through Generation17, UNDP and Samsung empower exceptional young leaders from diverse backgrounds worldwide, providing them with mentorship, access to Galaxy technology, and networking opportunities to advance their work and education toward achieving the SDGs. Generation17 also fosters young leaders’ meaningful engagement by offering them a platform to share their insights with decision-makers, inspiring them with their innovative ideas and actions.

Generation17 young leaders, Daniel Calarco, Kristian Kampmann, and Thuy Anh Ngo, are seen in this photo, standing alongside other young leaders from around the world at the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2023, which took place in New York in April 2023.

 Q. Looking ahead, what are the future aspirations of the UNDP in terms of its partnership with Samsung to accelerate sustainable development? How do you envision this unique collaboration evolving in the coming years?

At this pivotal midpoint in our collective pursuit of achieving the 2030 Agenda and acknowledging the significant work that lies ahead, it is crucial that we continue to join forces and work together to drive action. The future is hopeful because more people than ever are working together for sustainable development, including through partnerships with UNDP. We look forward to further strengthening our partnership with Samsung, prioritising initiatives such as raising awareness about the SDGs, expanding our impact, and fostering meaningful youth engagement, education, and empowerment.

“We are proud to expand our mission and use our global reach and purposeful innovations to support a new group of inspirational young activists, who once again share Samsung’s commitment to deliver meaningful solutions that bring communities together,” said Justin Hume, Director: Integrated Mobility at Samsung South Africa. “These four leaders are integral members of the Galaxy community, and they have our full support and encouragement to continue rallying us all to advance the Global Goals and help build a better future for everyone.”

This group of Generation17 Young Leaders is made up of four visionaries combatting inequality and human rights issues and educating their generation on the Global Goals across Latin America, the Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe:

• Daniel Calarco (Brazil): A 23-year-old human rights activis who founded the International Youth Watch to create better opportunities for young people from marginalised communities.
• Nadine Khaouli (Lebanon): A 25-year-old community activist who leads disaster relief efforts for Lebanon in response to the 2020 Beirut Port explosion and the COVID-19 pandemic through her organisation Kafe be Kafak
• Yejin Choi (South Korea): A 26-year-old cognitive therapist turned CEO who founded DoBrain, an AI-based mobile app that aims to improve early-education opportunities for children with disabilities
• Yurii Romashko (Ukraine): A 28-year-old transparency advocate who founded the think tank Institute of Analysis and Advocacy that empowers his community to make more informed, data-based decisions in their daily lives.

The Second Cohort of Generation17 Young Leaders

Over the next year, the introduction of these new agents of change will strengthen the initiative’s inclusivity and broaden its global scale, as they spearhead previously unaddressed yet critical issues across the Global Goals.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened generational divides around the world, and it’s important now more than ever that younger generations have the opportunities and resources to be heard and to be active participants in the 2030 Sustainable Development

Agenda,” said UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner. “Together, with Samsung, we’re supporting more change-makers as they build sustainable policies, communities and progress during this pivotal time. I look forward to working with this group of Young Leaders and am excited to see them lead us on a path towards recovery and resilience.”

Elevating the Voice of a Generation

Generation17 was born in October 2020 with the mission to inspire an entire generation of tech savvy young individuals to achieve the Global Goals in less than 10 years. Since launch, an inaugural cohort of Young Leaders, including Máximo Mazzocco, Sadya Touré, Shomy Chowdhury and Tafara Makaza, have championed the effort, using Samsung’s and UNDP’s support to broaden their reach.

Over the last few months, Samsung and UNDP increased the visibility and impact of their work through mentorship with the UNDP Youth Global Programme and the Global Policy Network, participation in global and regional development-related events, such as the #Youth4ClimateLive series and the Karma Dialogue, and engagement with country offices and partners.

Samsung also equipped the Young Leaders with the latest Galaxy technology to better connect them with their peers and raised awareness of their work across its global network using personalised content and the reach of its online channels. Exemplifying the need to act together, the Young Leaders leveraged their expanded network to exchange ideas and best practices and collaborate for peer-to-peer engagements. Support for the first cohort will continue throughout the year, starting with participation in the United Nations Economic and Social council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum 2021.

Both groups of Young Leaders will immerse themselves in the seamless and connected Galaxy ecosystem and use their Galaxy devices to collaborate online and brainstorm innovative solutions to their shared challenges, ultimately addressing the diversity and complexity of the Global Goals and expanding their network of  strong activists.

The Young Leaders will continue to engage with the Global Goals using the Samsung Global Goals app, which is installed on over 100 million Galaxy smartphones and has provided more than US $1.5M in donations for UNDP. The app received an Honorable Mention in the SDG Action Awards and was an Honoree for Software & Mobile Apps, Tech for a Better World in the CES 2020 Innovations Award. It was also shortlisted in the Reuters’ Responsible Business Awards for SDG Impact.