Updating and Embracing the MDP Global Challenge Competition: A Recap of the 2025 Launch
On October 10, 2025, the Global Association of Master’s in Development Practice Programs (MDP) Secretariat hosted the Global Student and Alumni Advisory Council (SAAC) meeting to share updates on the MDP Global Challenge Competition 2025 (GCC2025). Twenty SAAC and MDP leaders participated in this gathering.
The meeting reviewed the achievements of the previous year’s competition and introduced new topics and mechanisms for GCC2025. It also featured a Q&A session, during which MDP students engaged directly with SAAC regional leaders. Additionally, the MDP secretariat introduced the Padlet Wall: an interactive online platform where GCC2025 participants can upload short videos introducing their research interests and connect with each other.
Review of the 2024 Competition
Launched in 2024 by the Global SAAC, the GCC aims to encourage students to apply classroom knowledge of sustainable development to creatively address complex, interdisciplinary, real-world challenges. The organizing committee plans to involve international experts and practitioners from various sectors to evaluate submitted proposals.
In its inaugural year, the GCC engaged 60 participants from 15 MDP programs across 13 countries, with 75% of submissions focusing on climate action. The winning team, Unity-One, is currently implementing a project aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1.5, supporting flood recovery and poverty alleviation in Sabah, Malaysia. For 2025, participation increased by more than 20%, reflecting growing enthusiasm for this initiative.
Updates on the 2025 Competition
Giovanna Antoniassi Aires Garcia (University of Miami), one of the organizers, and Max Genin (Harvard University), the other co-organizer and founder of the inaugural GCC2024, presented an overview of this year’s updates. A major milestone is the introduction of award funding, with the Leopold Bachmann Foundation serving as the main sponsor for the 2025 competition.
Participants will form cross-institutional virtual teams of three to five members, including one or two students from Colombia and/or South Africa. Teams will choose one of the following five themes:
- Climate Resilience and Environmental Crisis Management
- Sustainable Economic Development, Climate Finance, and Global Partnerships
- Global Health, Well-being, and Human Security
- Technology, Innovation, and Artificial Intelligence
- Equality, Inclusion, and Intergenerational Justice
Supported by the Leopold Bachmann Foundation, the winning team will receive a $2,000 seed grant to pilot their project between June to December 2026. They may also be invited to showcase their project and its impact at the 2027 UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum in New York.
To ensure responsible fund management, each team must identify a central community partner to provide fiduciary oversight and include a detailed budget plan with their NGO partner. The MDP secretariat and organizing committee will jointly oversee disbursements to maintain transparency and accountability.
Key Dates:
- Proposal Submission period: October 13, 2025 – January 18, 2026
- Evaluation period: January 19 – February 13, 2026
- Winners announced: February 20, 2026
Following the announcement, the winning team will work with their community partner to execute their project throughout summer and fall 2026.
Open Discussion
During the discussion session, participants shared valuable regional perspectives. One SAAC Leader emphasized the importance of making the GCC process more accessible for students who are not fluent in English, the required language for proposal submissions. Another participant suggested recruiting bilingual English-Spanish volunteers to assist as team translators and facilitate smoother communication.
Finally, the Secretariat encouraged participants to use the Padlet Wall, an interactive virtual gallery organized around the six SDG transformations. Students are invited to upload a three-minute self-introduction video and connect with peers through likes and comments. To support this, the Secretariat provided guidance and a sample video to help participants get started.
