The UN SDG is set to hold this year’s edition of its Action Awards. It is slated to hold on July 24, in Rome, Italy.
In an article making the announcement, the UN referenced a young Nigerian anti-corruption crusader – Hamzat Lawal. He is the founder of Follow The Money, an initiative of Connected Development, which won the United Nations mobiliser of the year award at the SDG Global Fest for 2019.
“We are calling on all activists, mobilizers, and changemakers to submit their application today for a chance to become an awards finalist and to join us in Rome for a celebration of their global sustainability actions and ongoing efforts in confronting global challenges and holding decision-makers to account,” said Marina Ponti, Global Director of the UN SDG Action Campaign.
Referencing Lawal in the article, the UN said, “Past winners include Hamzat B. Lawal, Founder of the Nigeria-based anti-corruption organization Follow the Money, which works to influence social change and disrupt the status quo by setting up social accountability models tracking government spending and international aid, exposing corruption, and revealing to the public how effective local social development projects are.”
The article further quoted Lawal as saying, “Winning a UN SDG Action Award has been a life changing moment for the initiative and team. Not only has it empowered us to strengthen our internal governance structure, but most importantly the Award has enhanced our credibility in holding governments to account and fostering transparency.”
Last year’s edition of the awards was held in Bonn, Germany, receiving over 3,000 applications from 150 countries.
This year’s edition will focus on the margins of the UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment, where countries will review progress towards transforming food systems worldwide.
Since winning the award in 2019, Lawal’s Follow the Money has grown its presence across Africa, expanding from four countries to a total of nine, while also attracting interest from the Americas and Asia.
Srishti Bakshi, a marketer-turned-women’s-rights-activist, are among previous finalists. She embarked on a pilgrimage of 3,800 kilometres through 12 Indian states to put a spotlight on the root causes of violence against women.