Innovation Accelerator catalyses sustainable solutions for global goals

Hayleys Fabrics team working on the development of their solutions

Companies working together with champions and innovators to develop solutions for challenges to align with the Ten Principles

United Nations Global Compact Network Sri Lanka held the third Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Innovation Camp, focusing on “Solutions Development” which is part of a five-phase accelerator program. The session worked on finding new innovations to solve existing problems within their organisations to strategically align their portfolio to the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact. 

The SDG Innovation camp is a UN Global Compact program run globally, calling companies to align their operations and strategies to the universal accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption. The SDG Innovation Accelerator is a nine-month program created to activate future business leaders and changemakers to develop and drive innovative solutions through new technologies, initiatives, business models and deliver on their company’s sustainability objectives.

The working teams consisted of innovators under the age of 35 and champions who spearheaded sustainable projects within their organisations, came together to work on a development matrix to find solutions to prevailing matters to transform their procedures towards sustainable alternatives. The full day session was held on 28 June, at the Winchester, Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo. The workshop focused on formulating SDGs into the functioning aspects of each company’s brand identity, through collaboration, innovation, and increased employee engagement; professionals viewed this program as a professional development opportunity. The next round of SDG Innovation accelerators is due to commence next year.

The session’s coverage incorporates the importance of identifying and addressing challenges through solution creation. The participants acquired the value of problem-solving through the amalgamation of multiple approaches, to attain holistic resolutions, facilitated by Citra Social Innovation Lab of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), which is Sri Lanka’s first Social Innovation Lab working on prototyping, testing and holistic solutions to the country’s pressing development issues. 

Some innovative ideas were developed at the accelerator, some included the transitioning of plastic packaging with sustainable and eco-friendly options for the food and beverage industry, whilst other companies worked on solutions for the reduction of water usage in the textile manufacturing industry.

Companies who participated in the 2023 accelerator are Aitken Spence, CBL Investments, DIMO Lanka, First Energy, Hela Clothing, Horana Plantations, IWMI, Hayleys Fabric, John Keells Holdings, Talawakelle Tea Estates, TeeJay Lanka PLC, and Novateq Pallets. The workshop was specifically structured to attain remarkable professionals, who participate in business model innovation, sustainability, and disruptive technologies.

The UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka is continuing to work with more companies this year, to drive impact and allow Sri Lankan corporates to strengthen their commitment on respective Climate Action, Target Gender Equality, Business & Human Rights, Sustainable Supply Chains and SMEs strategies. By completing the innovation camp, participating companies were able to pilot solutions to address actual sustainable challenges faced by organisations and created a conscientious effort to transform into significant sustainable impacts. 

“As the UN Global Compact, SDG Pioneer for Responsible Production and Consumption 2021, I am thrilled to be part of the SDG Innovation Accelerator training program conducted by the UN Global Compact. It is a unique opportunity to harness the power of innovation and ignite positive change. Together, let’s disrupt traditional models, unlock new solutions, and accelerate progress towards a sustainable future. Through this program, we can shape a world where responsible production and consumption practices thrive, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.” - Leonie Vaas (Head of Sustainability and Innovations - Hayleys Fabric PLC), United Nations SDG Pioneer for Responsible Production and Consumption in 2021.

Network Sri Lanka completed the fourth phase of the accelerator program in June of this year. The fifth phase will be conducted on 20 July, in Colombo. UN Global Compact will receive nominations from SDG Innovation Accelerator participants from across the globe. Projects that demonstrate outstanding tangible results and have the potential to solve an internal challenge effectively will be selected by the UN Global Compact to pitch their solutions at the UN Global Compact’s flagship event, the Leader’s Summit to be held in New York on 19 September 2023.

As a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the UN Global Compact is a call to companies worldwide to align their operations and strategies with Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption. Our ambition is to accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering the Sustainable Development Goals. With more than 18,000 companies and 3,800 non-business signatories in 162 countries, and 65 Local Networks, it is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative.