Most partnership prizes recognize results alone. But transformative change requires more than good outcomes. It requires quality processes, resilient collaboration, and the courage to work across boundaries even when it's difficult.
The Transformative Partnership Award fills this gap. It celebrates multi-stakeholder partnerships that demonstrate not just what they achieved, but how they got there: through genuine collaboration, shared leadership, and commitment to lasting change.
Since 2024, the award has recognized exceptional partnerships worldwide that are building the future we need for people and planet.
The global challenges we face, from climate change to inequality, cannot be solved by any single organization working alone. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals emphasize partnership as essential for achieving all other goals. Yet building effective partnerships across sectors, cultures, and interests remains one of the most challenging aspects of transformation work.
This award shines a light on partnerships that succeed against the odds. It honors the dedication, skill, and persistence required to create collaboration that truly transforms. And it provides inspiration and learning for others working to build partnerships for sustainability.
The Transformative Partnership Award celebrates partnerships that successfully contribute to transformative change related to sustainability. Winning partnerships demonstrate several or all of these qualities:
Inclusive Multi-Stakeholder Engagement
All relevant stakeholders are involved in the partnership process, and it generates added value for all, illustrated in joint strategies and implementation plans.
Shared Ownership and Governance
Across all key stakeholders exists ownership, inclusive communication and governance.
Innovation and Complementarity
The partnership creates innovative results and actively complements existing efforts and projects in the SDGs.
To be eligible for the award, partnerships must meet these basic criteria:
Not-for-Profit Status
An organization or institution with not-for-profit or charitable status representing the partnership.
Demonstrated Progress
Making notable achievements during the two years preceding the current one, such as results realized or pilots successfully completed.
Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
Does not have to be the lead organization but must be an official partner within a multi-stakeholder collaboration, with stakeholders from at least two sectors (public, private, civil society).
SDG Contribution
Developed a partnership action that contributes to one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, such as zero hunger, health, gender equality, climate action, and more.
No Geographic Restrictions
There is no restriction as to where the project takes place, or whether it is local, national, regional or global in scope.
Looking at past winners and finalists gives a sense of the partnerships that thrive in this competition. Projects have ranged from land management platforms in Sierra Leone, to circular economy coalitions in Norway, to children’s education through play in South Africa. What they share is commitment to collaboration, innovation in their approach, and measurable progress toward sustainability goals.
The application process is straightforward and free. Applications open each year from spring through August 31.
Step 1: Submit Your Application
Apply through CLI’s online academy. The application asks about your partnership structure, approach, and impact. No application fee required.
Step 2: Eligibility Review
CLI reviews all applications for eligibility. Projects that meet the criteria move forward to the nomination phase.
Step 3: Detailed Submission
Shortlisted partnerships receive an invitation to submit more detailed descriptions. This deeper look helps the expert panel understand the full story of your collaboration.
Step 4: Panel Evaluation
An independent panel of partnership experts reviews detailed submissions and selects the finalists and winners.
Step 5: Award Ceremony
Winners are announced and celebrated at the Transformation Literacy Conference in Potsdam each April, with representatives of winning partnerships invited to attend.
Applications Open: Spring 2025
Application Deadline: August 31, 2025, 23:59 CEST
Detailed Submissions Due: November 30, 2025, 23:59 CET
Panel Decision: Mid-January 2026
Award Ceremony: April 2026, Potsdam, Germany
Note: Due to funding freezes affecting USAID and UN budgets, the 2025 award ceremony has been postponed to 2026. Winners will be selected as planned and receive their prizes, with the celebration held at a later date.
Any organization or institution with not-for-profit or charitable status can apply if their partnership meets the award conditions.
The award welcomes partnerships of all sizes and from all regions working on sustainability challenges. Past applicants have come from 46 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and beyond, working on topics from agriculture and education to governance and circular economy.
Winners from the previous two years are not eligible to re-apply during that period to ensure diversity of partnerships highlighted through the award. However, partnerships that were shortlisted but did not win are welcome to apply again with updated information or new projects.
No. There is no fee to apply or be a finalist for the Transformative Partnership Award.
Applications must be submitted in English or German. Supporting documents may also be in French or Spanish.
You can submit as many partnerships as you like, but each partnership can only be submitted once per year.
Unfortunately, changes cannot be made once submitted. If something important needs updating, contact CLI directly at germany@collectiveleadership.com.
Winners are announced at the award ceremony during the Transformation Literacy Conference in April each year.
Yes. CLI plans to make the Transformative Partnership Award an annual event alongside the Transformation Literacy Conference.
Yes, if you were not among the top three winners. Winners from the previous two years are not eligible to ensure diversity of partnerships highlighted.