#YouthLeadSDG14 Action Challenge

We call on young people from across the Commonwealth to unite and take action in the #YouthLeadSDG14 Action Challenge which will raise awareness of youth-led action on SDG14.

SDG 14 means understanding what life below water means, capturing the true essence of a world built around ocean resources and meeting UNFCCC targets by 2030.

Young people between the ages of 18-30 from Commonwealth member countries are eligible to participate and are invited to submit photos and videos on actions they have led or contributed to which promote the blue economy and awareness of SDG 14 actions at large.  

Under the theme of SDG14, the Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network (CYCN) have come up with a list of 14 actions entrants are asked to complete as part of the #YouthLeadSDG14 Action Challenge.

Three winning participants will share a cash prize sponsored by the Commonwealth.

How to enter

To take part, entrants must:

• Sign up for the Action Challenge
• Take photos or film videos (max 10 minutes) documenting their efforts on one or more of the 14 points (Download our video guidance)
• Submit a report via the Action Challenge submission form
• Post the content on social media using #YouthLeadSDG14 and #BlueCharter, tagging @CYCNOfficial and @comsecyouth

Campaign timeline

12 November 2022: Official Launch of Campaign with CYCN (during COP27)

12 November – 8 December 2022: Competition entries promoted on Commonwealth Secretariat Youth and CYP social media platforms

8 December 2022: Deadline for signing up to the Action Challenge.

9-10 December 2022: Judging of Actions Taken & Submitted. Create and publish an impact report highlighting the progress achieved via the campaign.

11 December 2022: Announcement of Top 3 Winners  

Judging and prizes

A panel of judges will review and evaluate video submissions based on sustainability, innovation, impact, scalability and creativity. There is a total of £3,000 in prize money that will be shared among the three winning participants.

If you have any questions about participating in this campaign, please contact us at cycn.belize@gmail.com.

The following actions are included and be applied under this thematic theme:

1. Creating art pieces on marine plastic pollution;
2. Conducting beach cleanups showing before and after photos;
3. Taking a video of coral reef protection and restoration;
4. Taking a picture on collaborative conservation and the sustainable use of mangroves;
5. Writing a letter to your government about the need for marine protected areas;
6. Creating a flyer on raising awareness of the impacts of ocean acidification;
7. Developing a video on what sustainable blue economy means to your country;
8. Show evidence how you promoted environmentally sustainable aquaculture activities through research and science
9. Writing a project proposal about a proposed action that targets SDG 14 including ocean observation, sustainable aquaculture, sustainable economy, marine ecosystem restoration and conservation;
10. Storytelling in the form of a video highlighting ways youths in your community are taking action on SDG 14 or related;
11. Creating a painting what SDG 14 means to you and how it can help in adapting to climate change in the future;
12. Making a food dish from an invasive species with the recipe used to make that dish in the form of a flyer;
13. Creating a YouTube channel to bring awareness to SDG 14 and climate action taken by your government and communities.
14. Making a post on social media with the hashtag #YouthLeadSDG14 expressing your passion about SDG14 in the form of a short video and ways you have taken climate action in the marine environment.

Submit Actions Completed HERE: https://bit.ly/YLSDG14-actions

Challenge guidelines

Eligibility

Only young people between the ages of 18 – 30 years old from Commonwealth member countries are eligible to participate. Submit a short 5 – 10 minutes video on actions you’ve led or contributed towards developing and offering sustainable activities that promote blue economy and awareness of SDG 14 actions at large. Sign up and submit your actions showing the activities in relation to the following:

1. Collaboration to prevent water contamination (fresh and salt natural water systems).
2. Ensuring sustainable use of aquaculture (including mariculture) and marine resources.
3. Encouraging awareness and respect for aquatic ecosystems.
4. Promoting respectful use of beaches and marine environments.
5. Conducting science-based innovative research for solutions on aspects of building a blue economy (including renewable energy and environmental restoration in the ocean).

Guidance for submitting video content:

The videos are intended to spotlight youth-led action on SDG 14 goals for climate action developed by the UN. We are looking for a short high-quality video from any youth that is a part of CYCN and the Commonwealth countries at large.

May use a DSLR camera with a good microphone, or even a mobile phone that does quality videos. The format is as follows:

1. Introduce yourself (name, age, country)
2. Explain what SDG 14 means to you and what you are doing to accomplish the aspect of the blue economy you are working on and how it has contributed to national development
3. Give your view on how important it is for the world to make these big changes and adjustments to meet goal SDG14 in parallel with efforts to achieve SDG 13; and
4. Conclude your video with an important message and lesson learnt from your action on SDG 14 and how young people can make a difference.

Video tips:

• Tell your story. How do you think the blue economy could shape our future as a climate change adaptation action and meeting the goal SDG 14?
• Film in a quiet area or your project area, also pay attention to lighting and position.
• For sound quality, get as close to the subject as possible.
• Please film in landscape.
• Minimum of 720p resolution.
• The length should be between 5 – 10 mins.
• The best videos are when subjects are enthusiastic, relaxed and authentic.

What happens next?

Please send through the footage via WeTransfer (www.wetransfer.com) to cycn.belize@gmail.com.

The videos will be posted on the Commonwealth Youth Climate Change (CYCN) social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram), Commonwealth website and possibly even the Blue Charter website (in development).

Indicate your usernames/handles so we can tag you to your video submitted.