SDG Awards Program – FAQ

Resources

Download: 2025 GEO SDG Awards Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

This page will be updated as additional questions are received from the community. You are encouraged to check back for updates when questions arise.

1. What is the length of the nomination period?

The nomination period is open from November 12th, 2024 to March 2nd, 2025.

2. How long is the entire awards process?

From the opening of the nomination period to the selection of awardees, the process is expected to take 6 months.

3. How many nominations can I submit for each category?

Organizations may submit multiple nominations to the same or different categories. However, each submission must be for a distinct endeavor; the same endeavor cannot be used in nominations to more than one category. Each nomination must be a separate, stand-alone document for evaluation purposes.

4. How many finalists will be selected to receive an award for each category?

0-2 finalists from each Sectoral category and 0-3 from each Special Category to receive an award.

5. What do finalists and awardees receive as an award?

All awardee organizations will receive:

Recognition at Award Ceremony (during 2025 GEO Global Forum, May 5-9)
Certificate of Achievement
Award, Trophy
Non-monetary item of recognition (e.g., satellite image of a location on Earth)
Digital winner “badges” and downloadables
Press release and email templates to promote your award
Feature in the GEO website and EO4SDG website and additional social media promotion
Access to GEO SDG Award “Alumni Network”

6. Will the information included in my application be made publicly available?

GEO and the EO4SDG Initiative Team will request that all nominees grant them permission to use information about nominated organizations’ Earth observation-based SDG endeavors to encourage further use of Earth observations. The EO4SDG Initiative Team will require this of all awardees.

7. Can I make changes to my nomination once I’ve submitted it?

If changes need to be made after the nomination form is submitted, please contact: awards@eo4sdg.org. Once the review process is initiated, we will not accept any further changes or revisions.

8. Who is eligible to submit a nomination?

Any organization that has used Earth observations or geospatial data to support sustainable development practices, analysis, or reporting is eligible to apply for a 2025 GEO SDG Award. You may nominate your own team/organization, or you may nominate someone else.

We encourage members, partners, and programs of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) to apply; however, nominees are not required to be affiliated with GEO. We also strongly urge applications from across civil society, the commercial sector, academia, SDG custodian agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and inter-governmental organizations.

For a breakdown of award categories, see this page.

9. What is the required timeframe for nominated activities to have taken place / been completed?

Project activities must have occurred within 18 months prior to the nomination deadline (although, the endeavor may commence prior to the 18-month mark).