SDG Awards 2024

Finalist Profile

Welcome to the SDG Awards, a distinguished recognition program honoring the remarkable contributions of individuals, organizations, and initiatives in championing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Finalist Profile

ARCedtech Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

About Company

SDG Awards 2024

Category - SDG 4 - Quality Education

SDG Integrated Handbooks: Provides activity-based handbooks for grades 1-8 to integrate SDGs into school curriculums.

➜ SDG Integrated Handbooks: Provides activity-based handbooks for grades 1-8 to integrate SDGs into school curriculums.
➜ Educator Workshops: Conducts capacity-building workshops to help educators embed sustainability in their lessons.
➜ Digital Learning Solutions: Offers an online portal with enhanced learning materials, videos, and activities.
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1. What is the local impact your organization has achieved regarding your selected SDG? (No Word Limit)

Imagine a world where all children have a deep understanding of the problems our planet is facing. These children will grow up with a sense of environmental stewardship and work towards solving these problems in their professions. We founded ARC with this vision of the world, where every child wears a lens of sustainability and makes responsible choices. ARC, founded in 2018, is a social-impact education startup, providing print and digital teaching-learning solutions for integrating the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Climate Education & Global Citizenship in school curriculum. We are a for-profit company based out of India and we work with Indian and international schools. Our products include print and digital learning materials, teacher training workshops, cross country project-based learning programmes, a sustainability networking platform, and global sustainability awards for schools, educators, students, NGOs and startups. ARC’s work is focused on Target 4.7 of SDG 4 Quality Education: Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship (By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development). In India, we have impacted 150,000 students and 20,000 teachers. We have carried out various surveys to measure the success of our initiatives. The data shows that our content has inspired more than 75% students to work towards solving the problems of the planet, and our capacity-building workshops have inspired more than 90% teachers to integrate the SDGs in their lesson plans.

2. What is the global impact your organization has achieved regarding your selected SDG? (No Word Limit)

To work towards the SDGs, the world must come together as one. No one is safe till everyone is safe. At ARC, we firmly believe in the power of collaboration. We have entered into several meaningful global partnerships with organizations working towards sustainability over the last few years, with the aim of learning from each other and growing together. I was a fellow with the International Sustainability Academy (https://www.isa-germany.com/en/homepage/) in Hamburg, Germany in 2022. My experience involved living and working with sustainably engaged changemakers from the Global South. My project at International Sustainability Academy was to develop a one-stop teaching-learning digital platform towards education for sustainable development. The fellows in my cohort at International Sustainability Academy belonged to different countries, and I was able to test my content in the African continent, Nepal, Brazil, Serbia, Myanmar and Columbia with their support. Our other international partners include GiveBack in Portugal (https://giveback.pt/), EduGems in Finland (https://www.edugemsacademy.fi/), Climate Equity Collaborative (https://nwf.org/climateequity) in USA, the SEMI Foundation (https://www.semi.org/en/workforce-development/semi-foundation), Moksha Trust (https://www.mokshatrust.org/about-us) for Sri Lanka, Digital Learning Associates (http://www.digitallearningassociates.com) in the UK, Global Peace Foundation (https://globalpeace.org/), and Rocas Tech in Brazil (https://www.rocas.tech/). We are also working closely with passionate educators from countries like Argentina, the UAE, Nepal, Sri Lanka and more. We are a member of UNESCO Greening Education Partnership (https://www.unesco.org/en/sustainable-development/education/greening-future) and SDG Publishers Compact (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sdg-publishers-compact/), which aim to accelerate progress to achieve the SDGs by 2030. Since 2021, we have been hosting Global Sustainability Awards (https://arcedtech.com/gsa/) for schools, educators and students. This is an annual event where we have been receiving applications from over 20 countries from 5 continents every year. These awards are to recognize and reward efforts by schools, educators and students towards a sustainable future. The impact of these awards has been far reaching with participation from over 400 schools, 1,000 educators and 1,500 students in the last 4 years. You can look at some of the student projects here: https://arcedtech.com/student-projects/

3. What is the scalability of your innovation and how do you plan to achieve it? (No Word Limit)

We have a range of products towards education for sustainable development. We are right now focused on scaling two innovative digital products - one, our learning content which we are trying to scale up through digital platforms and Learning Management Systems; and two, a sustainability networking platform (called TriboPlanet) for students to join hands from various parts of the world and work on projects and activities on the SDGs. Both these solutions are highly scalable and we believe that collaboration with different agencies from around the world will be the key to success. Some strategies to enhance scalability include: Initiating global campaigns to attract students, educators, and institutions to join the platform; Collaborate with agencies from around the globe to increase the reach; Develop ambassador programmes where students and educators can act as representatives of TriboPlanet in their schools or regions, promoting the platform and its values; Organize regular webinars and workshops led by sustainability experts and activists to inspire and educate the student community; Offer certificates and recognition for students who actively contribute to sustainability projects, enhancing their resumes and college applications. Some features of TriboPlanet: A closed and secure social network where students can post reels, videos, articles related to sustainability and climate change; Students accomplish weekly tasks related to sustainable living to build the right habits; Students can work on global projects with other students from around the globe. These projects help students integrate technology with sustainability to have a far-reaching impact; Students get to build their Social Impact profile (like LinkedIn), helping in college admissions; Schools get annual report card to share with parents; AI Chatbot to learn more, with a separate knowledge section.

4. What is your organization’s unique strategy for using technology to achieve your selected SDG? (150 Words Limit)

Technology is a paramount and core part of our growth strategy. We have two digital products for SDG education - one, SDG Champion – an online video-based SDG course, certified by top environmental global agencies; two, TriboPlanet – a sustainability networking platform for students to join hands from various parts of the world and work on projects and activities on the SDGs. We have also developed cross-country projects to involve students from different countries and backgrounds to work collaboratively. These projects are very unique as they inspire students to work on local and global problems while utilizing the latest technologies such as blockchain, AI, machine learning, robotics, sensors and more. We are also working with the semiconductor industry to integrate tech-based solutions in student projects. Besides these, we have developed an AI-based sustainability chatbot called TreeBo. We have also developed a Sustainability Meter to quantify the sustainability quotient in people.

5. What challenges did you encounter while working for your selected SDG, and how did you address them? (150 Words Limit)

The biggest challenge for us was not the creation of meaningful content or building technology to engage students, but to take this content to every child on the planet. We realized that collaboration is the key to expanding our reach, so we entered into meaningful partnerships in India and across the world. We have been steadily growing with our partners’ support. We feel we can achieve a lot more through more collaborations and support.

6. How did you engage local communities and stakeholders in your work, and what was their feedback? (150 Words Limit)

We work with schools to integrate sustainability in their curriculum. The stakeholders are school leaders, students, teachers and parents. It was important for us to convince all stakeholders about the power of education for sustainable development. We were able to engage schools by showcasing sustainability education as a differentiator, students by preparing them for future jobs and skills, teachers through capacity-building workshops, and parents by showcasing the benefits of this value-based education. Additionally, we engaged Non-Profit Organizations (NGOs) and government bodies to implement our solutions in schools for the underserved sections of the society. The feedback has been very positive. Our stakeholders feel that education for sustainable development needs a push at a policy level by the leadership of various countries.

7. Which organizational skills and resources did you use to deliver goods/services without harming the environment or society? (150 Words Limit)

We are focused on technology-based products to achieve our vision without causing harm to the environment. Moreover, we believe in gender equality which reflects in our org structure and ethos. We mentor institutions and organizations to switch to sustainable products, such as recycled notebooks and stationery, edible cutlery and eco-friendly products.

8. In your view what roles do businesses, governments, and civil society should play in achieving the SDGs, and how can they collaborate effectively? (150 Words Limit)

At ARC, we believe that collaboration is the key to solving the problems of our planet. This entire space is about collaboration, and not competition. Businesses, governments, and civil society each play crucial roles in achieving the SDGs. Businesses can drive innovation and investment to create products/services that address SDG challenges. They should integrate SDGs into their vision and core strategies, ensuring innovation and reducing environmental impact. Governments should provide the framework through policies, regulations, and funding, ensuring that SDG-related initiatives are prioritized. They should incentivise sustainable practices and create an enabling environment for all businesses. Civil society should focus deeply on raising awareness and holding businesses and governments accountable. They should mobilize communities and bring grassroots perspectives to the forefront. To achieve all the above, collaboration is key. Businesses can partner with governments to scale up solutions, while civil society can bridge gaps by bringing in local knowledge.

9. What advice do you have for individuals or organizations aiming to create positive change and support the SDGs? (150 Words Limit)

Collaborate, collaborate and collaborate! The social impact journey is more fulfilling when you join hands with like-minded people. Others will try to bring you down but your partners will give you the strength, conviction and courage to keep going. Together everyone achieves more - it is the philosophy of the SDGs, concentrated in Goal No 17, Partnerships for the Goals.

10. How would winning this SDG Award help you enhance your impact and expand your project? (150 Words Limit)

Winning the SDG AwarThis prestigious recognition will not only validate our efforts but also open doors to new opportunities and partnerships. The award will serve as a powerful platform for networking with organizations worldwide that are also committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through this expansive network, we will have the chance to connect with like-minded individuals and organizations, fostering collaboration and exchanging ideas that can amplify our impact. The potential for joint initiatives and shared knowledge is immense, and I am confident that these connections will lead to meaningful and transformative projects. This award will not just be a testament to our current achievements but also a catalyst for future growth and success, positioning us as a key player in the global movement towards sustainability.

11. What are your future objectives regarding your selected SDG? (150 Words Limit)

Our vision is to train one million educators worldwide, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate change awareness, and global citizenship into their classrooms. By empowering teachers with this critical understanding, we aim to transform education systems globally, ensuring that the next generation of leaders is well-prepared to tackle the pressing challenges our world faces. Furthermore, we aspire to educate 100 million students across the globe about the SDGs, instilling in them a deep understanding of these goals and their importance in building a sustainable future. By reaching such a vast number of students, we hope to inspire a wave of young changemakers who are informed, engaged, and ready to contribute to a better world. This ambitious initiative is not just about spreading knowledge; it's about creating a global movement for positive change, driven by education and awareness.