***UN SDG Action Campaign / Sabrina Marchionne***

After enduring some difficult health challenges in recent months, our Founder and CEO Taban was delighted to be able to travel to Rome for the prestigious 2026 Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards.

Held on 29 October, the ceremony celebrated individuals and organisations whose work is helping create a more equitable, peaceful and sustainable world.

Selected from more than 7,000 entries, nine finalists including Taban were recognised across three categories – Changemaker, Creativity and Resilience – with the winners chosen by an esteemed international judging panel. The 20 judges included representatives from the UN and leaders from government, grassroots activism, civil society, the creative industries and business.

Taban was one of three women shortlisted in the Changemaker category, which recognised her journey from child genocide survivor to supporting more than 120,000 women, girls and community members impacted by conflict and displacement through The Lotus Flower.

However, the experience was far more than an awards ceremony, as Taban joined the other finalists for an inspiring week-long programme of activities, networking and exchanging ideas, which identified several common themes across a diverse range of causes and regions. These included the importance of listening to communities, valuing local knowledge, and always engaging men and young people in advancing women's rights and opportunities.

Celebrating remarkable women

One striking aspect of this year’s awards was the fact seven of the nine finalists were women. Among the pioneering initiatives recognised alongside The Lotus Flower was Mothers of Courage, which supports girls in rural India to remain in education and avoid early marriage. With more than 220 million girls and women in India marrying early, the initiative highlights the vital role that older women can play in the community to challenge entrenched attitudes and bring change.

Another example came from Women for Change, whose tireless campaigning against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) contributed to the South African government’s decision to classify it as a national disaster in 2025.

There was also an emotional tribute to the late women’s rights activist Yanar Mohammed, co-founder of the Organisation of Women’s Freedom in Iraq (OWFI), who was assassinated outside her Baghdad home in March 2026. OWFI representative Jannat Al Ghezi spoke movingly about Yanar’s legacy, and dedicated her recognition to “everyone who believes in this mission, to every woman fighting for her freedom and dignity, and to everyone who continues to work toward a more just and equal world for women.”

The finalists’ work also showcased incredible projects in areas such as food security, environmental restoration and access to justice. In Zambia, the youth-led Young Emerging Farmers Initiative is enabling farmers to develop more sustainable food systems and employs 70% women, while Indonesia's Return Water Home initiative is bringing the country’s springs and ecosystems back to life. And in Guatemala, the Women's Justice Initiative is working with indigenous women and girls to improve access to legal support, prevent GBV and early marriage, and empower women to become leaders in their communities.

These projects represent just a small selection of the outstanding work brought to the fore, which also included that of Solar Bright Future in Cameroon, Herou Alliance and UNCCD Land Hero in Mali, plus Sheba Youth Foundation for Development in Yemen.

A shared vision

During her time in Rome, Taban was also pleased to reconnect with Abigail Erikson, Chief of the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, which has previously supported The Lotus Flower's work. The Fund received the 2026 Honourable Mention at the ceremony, honouring 30 years of work funding locally-led solutions and civil society organisations.

It was great to see our Ambassador, Payzee Mahmod, take to the stage to give a speech during the ceremony too. As a Kurdish survivor of child marriage, FGM, and honour-based abuse, Payzee has been instrumental in driving landmark reforms in the UK, including raising the minimum age of marriage to 18.

With such a spirit of solidarity and collaboration running through the week, the awards organisers emphasised that all nine of the honourees were winners. Taban and her co-finalists were welcomed into a wider global family of changemakers, alongside alumni from previous years, creating opportunities for new connections, learning and future collaboration.

We’d like to offer our sincere thanks and gratitude to the entire Action Awards team, whose kindness and warmth created such a special family atmosphere and made the week so unforgettable.

The ceremony, which also featured live music, was broadcast live to international audiences, and you can still watch the whole event here.

Check out our gallery from the week below, too.
Images: UN SDG Action Campaign / Sabrina Marchionne