The Sustainable Development Goals Alliance (SDGA) is a student-founded, student-led organization at the University of Calgary, dedicated to advancing the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through community-focused initiatives. By empowering youth leaders, fostering collaboration, and providing hands-on sustainability training, SDGA is preparing the next generation of climate-conscious changemakers.
Since its founding in 2017, SDGA has engaged over 700 students, supporting 51 sustainability projects through the Sustainability Leadership Innovation Program (SLIP)—which has provided $13,000 in funding, mentorship, and training to student-led initiatives. Notably, a Styrofoam recycling project launched by students has diverted 5,376 pounds of waste from landfills, reducing 6.63 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions and inspiring similar efforts across Calgary.
SDGA’s annual SDG Summit is a flagship event that brings together students, researchers, and industry leaders to discuss sustainability challenges and solutions. Recognized in the Government of Canada’s 2021 Annual Report on the SDGs, SDGA is one of the few youth-led organizations to be nationally acknowledged for its impact.
