
Educating and empowering locally for impact
The Impact Innovators Challenge Pilot has been launched in Australia, with facilitated training taking place across the country. Youth and adults have been progressively onboarded to unpack and explore the linkages between the Scouts Australia Youth Program, the Challenge, and methods we can embrace and complement Education for Sustainable Development, while engaging with the community for sustainable impact.
The sessions are a space for curiosity, creativity, and bold thinking. Starting with curiosity, participants arrived with a moderate understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals, but quickly discovered how deeply these goals connect to the challenges they face in training and development. The problems they tackle are rarely isolated—they’re complex, interconnected, and often aligned with multiple Sustainable Development Goals.
This insight sparked a shift: instead of seeking one-size-fits-all solutions, the focus turned to layered, meaningful actions that move the needle forward. Equally, it reiterated the importance of working with communities, not just for them.
The workshops kick-started big thinking. Participants explored bold ideas that might not have surfaced in more structured environments. This freedom to innovate was central as the principles of design thinking were embraced to launch community projects. It has been noted that once youth are engaged, their autonomy and creativity soar.
The workshops highlight the power of mindset, collaboration, and creativity. The Sustainable Development Goals offer a global vision for a better future. These workshops remind us that with the right tools and support, we can turn that vision into local action—and empower the next generation of changemakers to lead the way.