Is SDGDC HL free to enter?

Yes. Registration is completely free. There is no registration fee for any edition of SDGDC HL.

How long is the SDGDC HL event?

SDGDC HL is a 4-day event. The IGCSE and O Level Edition begins on 22 May 2026. Teams have 4 days to identify a real SDG problem, build a working solution, and prepare their presentation.

What is the team size for SDGDC HL?

Each team must have 4 to 6 members.

What is the SDG Design Challenge High Schooler's League?

SDGDC HL is the High Schooler's League of the SDG Design Challenge, powered by NextGenNav. It is a free 4-day competition for high school students to build real solutions to UN Sustainable Development Goal problems and compete in curriculum-based editions.

What is Round 2 of SDGDC HL?

Round 2 brings together winners from every Round 1 edition. It is hosted by NGN International and is the first time edition champions from different curricula compete against each other.

SDGDC HL — High Schooler's League

Build. Solve. Compete.

4 days. A real SDG problem. A solution that actually works.
The IGCSE & O Level Edition begins on 22 May 2026.

Free to enter

4 days

4–6 per team

Registration open — IGCSE & O Level Edition begins on 22 May 2026 under NGN India.

About

What is SDGDC HL?

A 4-day challenge for high school teams. You pick an SDG, find a real problem connected to it, and build something that addresses it — not a slide deck, an actual solution. Then you present it.

Pick a problem

Choose any of the 17 UN SDGs and identify a specific, real problem within it. The more grounded, the better.

Build something that works

Use whatever tools you need — code, no-code, AI, hardware. The output has to function. Concepts don’t qualify.

Present it

Show your solution in your edition round. The strongest teams move forward.

Entry Free — no registration fee

Duration 4 days

Team size 4 to 6 people

Tools Unrestricted — code, AI, hardware, anything

Round 1

The Editions

Each curriculum has its own edition, run at a different time by a different NGN entity. All of them together make up Round 1.

● Registration Open

IGCSE & O Level

Open to IGCSE and O Level students. The first edition begins on 22 May 2026.

Run by NGN India
Round 1 begins on 22 May 2026
Winners go to Round 2

Coming Soon

IBDP & A Level

For IBDP and A Level students. Opens after the IGCSE & O Level edition wraps up.

Run by NGN UK
Date to be confirmed
Winners go to Round 2

Coming Soon

US State Boards & AP

For students on US State Boards and AP curricula.

Run by NGN USA
Date to be confirmed
Winners go to Round 2

The Process

How It Works

Register

Form a team of 4–6 and sign up for your edition. Free.

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4 Days to Build

From 22 May 2026, pick your SDG problem, build a solution that functions, and prepare to present. Any tools — code, AI, hardware, whatever gets it done.

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Present

Walk the panel through what you built and why it works. Selected teams advance.

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Round 2

Once all editions close, winners across every curriculum meet in Round 2 — run by NGN International.

Why it matters

Why Join?

It’s not a simulation

The problem is real. The solution has to work. That’s a different kind of pressure — and a different kind of result.

No tool restrictions

Use AI, write code, build hardware, use no-code platforms — however your team works best. The output is what’s judged.

Recognition that means something

Certificates and official recognition from SDGDC HL and NextGenNav, issued to teams that make it past evaluation.

There’s a next stage

Edition winners move to Round 2 — where every curriculum’s champion competes together under NGN International.

Common questions

FAQ

Right now, registration is open for the IGCSE and O Level Edition, which begins on 22 May 2026. Editions for IBDP, A Level, US boards, and others are in the works.

Team-based, 4 to 6 people per team. You work together across all 4 days — problem selection, building, and the final presentation.

4 days. The IGCSE & O Level Edition begins on 22 May 2026. That’s the window to go from problem identification to a working, presentable solution.

Anything. The only requirement is that what you submit actually works. A concept deck on its own won’t cut it.

Round 1 is split by curriculum. Each edition runs separately — IGCSE first, then IBDP, then others — each managed by its own NGN entity. Once they’ve all run, Round 1 is done.

When Round 1 ends across all editions, every edition’s winner comes to Round 2. It’s run by NGN International and it’s the first time teams from different curricula go head to head.

Win your edition and you’re in Round 2. From there, the top teams reach the Final — a global showcase run by NGN International.

Free. No registration fee for any edition.

Any of the 17. Pick the one where you can find a problem worth solving — something specific, not just a broad theme.

Stages

How far can you go?

Three stages. Each one bigger than the last.

Registration Open

Round 1 — Your Edition

Compete within your curriculum. The IGCSE & O Level Edition begins on 22 May 2026, run by NGN India. Other editions follow on their own schedule.

After All Editions Complete

Round 2 — NGN International

Once all editions have closed, every edition’s winner enters Round 2. First time teams from different curricula are in the same room.

Final Stage

The Final

The top teams from Round 2. Global stage, NGN International. Recognition, certificates, and whatever comes next.

IGCSE & O Level Edition — Begins 22 May 2026

Register Your Team

4 days. 4–6 people. One real SDG problem to solve. Round 1 begins on 22 May 2026 — this is your entry point.

Registration open — IGCSE & O Level Edition begins on 22 May 2026 under NGN India. Edition winners advance to Round 2 (NGN International).