Mumbai: Actor, content creator, activist and bestselling author Prajakta Koli has been appointed to the High-Level Panel of Judges for the 2026 Heroes of Tomorrow: UN SDG Action Awards, making her the first Indian to serve on the judging panel and the only Indian representative on this year’s jury.

Koli will join an international group of judges tasked with evaluating more than 5,000 entries from 190 countries. The global recognition programme is organised by the UN SDG Action Campaign and hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Prajakta Koli joins international jury

Prajakta Koli‘s appointment marks a significant recognition of her work across entertainment, youth engagement and climate advocacy.

The 2026 judging panel includes senior United Nations officials and prominent international personalities. Among them are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, UNDP Administrator and former Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs Felipe Paullier, Oxfam International Executive Director Amitabh Behar and Cannes Best Actress winner Merve Dizdar.

Koli’s inclusion also continues a growing association between the entertainment industry and the UN SDG Action Awards. Previous judging panels have featured personalities such as South African actor Nomzamo Mbatha, Somali-Canadian model and actor Sabrina Dhowre Elba, Turkish actor Merve Dizdar and Turkish visual storyteller Uğur Gallenkuş.

Koli highlights power of storytelling and young people

Speaking about her appointment, Koli said she has always believed in the power of storytelling, creativity and young people taking charge.

She described the Heroes of Tomorrow as fearless and persistent changemakers who are using innovation, art and bold action to work towards a more sustainable, equitable and peaceful world.

Her statement reflects the focus of the awards, which recognise individuals and initiatives working towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through creative and impactful approaches.

For Koli, the new role brings together several areas of her public work, including storytelling, youth engagement and advocacy on climate-related issues.

From entertainment to global advocacy

Koli has established herself as a prominent digital creator before expanding into acting and advocacy. She is known for her work in entertainment, including the Netflix romantic-comedy series Mismatched.

She also recently appeared in Netflix’s war drama Operation Safed Sagar, further expanding her work as an actor.

Beyond entertainment, Koli has been involved in youth and climate advocacy. She was featured on the inaugural TIME100 Creators list and serves as UNDP India’s Youth Climate Champion.

In that capacity, she has represented young people at several prominent international platforms, including COP28, the World Economic Forum in Davos, the United Nations General Assembly and Climate Week NYC.

Her new appointment adds another international platform to her growing engagement with issues concerning young people, sustainability and social change.

Nine global finalists to travel to Rome

The UN SDG Action Awards are now in their ninth year and recognise initiatives across three categories — Changemaker Award, Creativity Award and Resilience Award.

Following the judging process, nine global finalists will travel to Rome, Italy, where they will participate in a coaching and capacity-building programme.

The programme will culminate in the awards ceremony scheduled for October 29, 2026. The event will be broadcast globally through UN WebTV and Italy’s national broadcaster RAI.

The awards aim to spotlight individuals and initiatives that are helping translate the Sustainable Development Goals into meaningful action and inspire wider participation in sustainable development.

Partnership supports global recognition programme

The UN SDG Action Awards are produced in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Koli’s selection places an Indian voice within an international panel assessing efforts from across the world. Her experience in digital storytelling, entertainment and youth and climate advocacy is expected to bring a distinct perspective to the evaluation process.

Her appointment also highlights the growing role of creators and cultural figures in conversations around sustainability, social change and the participation of young people in addressing global challenges.

As the only Indian member of the 2026 jury, Koli will now be part of the process of identifying initiatives and changemakers whose work reflects the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals.