Inspiring Youth Action in Kelowna: Impact Toolbox Continues Collaboration with Global Citizen Events for the 2025 Sustainable Development Challenge

Impact Toolbox is proud to continue its partnership with Global Citizen Events for the 2025 Sustainable Development Challenge (SDC), now in its sixth year. This initiative activates youth to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by developing innovative solutions to local and global challenges in alignment with the 17 Global Goals.

About the Sustainable Development Challenge

The SDC engages youth in Kelowna, British Columbia (ages 13-24) to collaborate with mentors and NGOs on impactful projects addressing global and local challenges, aiming to entertain, educate, and inspire action. Teams submit proposals and pitch their ideas live, with the winning team receiving funding to implement their project. Teams choose global goals and connect with community organizations to create innovative solutions. The challenge culminates in an exciting grand finale showcase where top teams pitch their ideas to judges and community members.

Recent projects have included creating sustainable organic farms in Liberia, reducing the stigma surrounding homelessness, installing geothermal heat pumps, improving Kelowna’s city accessibility, repurposing plastic waste, and providing clean drinking water to schools in Kenya and India. Take a look at past projects.

Our Path to Partnership

Global Citizen Events (GCE) was founded in 2003 as an annual initiative that promotes the United Nations SDGs and celebrates the contributions of Okanagan citizens to both global and local humanitarian efforts. Their mission is to entertain, educate, and inspire action. Learn more about GCE.

The SDC has far-reaching effects — not just from the projects but in the lives of participating students, several participants credit their pursuing a career in the humanities to being involved with the SDC, impacting their school and local community as well as the international projects.
Joyce Brinkerhoff | Founder, GCE

In 2022, Segun Fatudimu, founder of Impact Toolbox, attended the SDC and saw its alignment with the organization’s mission to empower youth through social entrepreneurship. In 2023, Impact Toolbox introduced a preparatory course and mentor training to help participants prepare for the challenge. In 2024, they refined the course further and became an official partner of GCE.

“The SDC is crucial for shaping the future leaders of tomorrow. It gives youth the tools and mentorship they need to become change-makers, not just in their communities but on a global scale,” shares Segun.

Why Our Sponsors Believe in the SDC

We are proud to support the game-changers and innovators in the Sustainable Development Challenge. The 80-year history of our credit union was built by that same kind of spirit. This challenge encourages creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, giving young people the tools and confidence they need to shape a brighter, more sustainable future for all of us. By empowering youth to act, we’re investing in the leaders and problem-solvers of tomorrow.
Brian Harris, CEO | Beem Credit Union, Presenting Sponsor

Holar Developments is relying on voices from across the community to help shape the Mill Site redevelopment plans. We are proud to continue to support the Sustainable Development Challenge and tomorrow’s community leaders who are so passionate about creating a bright and sustainable future for all.
Holar Developments, Presenting Sponsor

BCCIC believes that young activists around the world are critical agents of change. The Sustainable Development Challenge is a meaningful initiative supporting Central Okanagan youth in their learning journeys – confronting historical, systemic and global inequities – as well as helping them to navigate their social impact journeys through mentorship and connection to civil society organizations locally and internationally. Together, striving for a more resilient, inclusive, peaceful and sustainable future.
BC Council For International Cooperation (BCCIC), Sustainability Visionary Sponsor

Stay Up to Date with the 2025 SDC

Join the journey of this year’s SDC and see how Kelowna youth are driving innovative solutions for a better world. Follow SDC on social media to stay connected about key updates, inspiring project developments, and final showcase details:

Instagram: @sdckelowna
Facebook: SDC Kelowna