By Elie Mutangana.

Project Management Institute (PMI) announced the Most Influential Projects that have made significant progress towards UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The leading authority in project management is honoring 20 projects across industries and regions that have achieved significant milestones in alignment with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the last 18 months—all addressing clear outcomes that drive project success beyond budget, scope, and schedule. 

The full list of projects was revealed at the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit in New York City.

Since introducing the SDGs in 2015 to address the world’s most urgent environmental, political, and economic challenges, millions of people, nonprofits, collectives, and companies have come together to generate robust, creative ideas about improving the world and creating progress. Progress, however, has been slow, with only 17% of the SDG targets on track, with nearly half showing minimal or moderate progress, according to The Sustainable Development Goals Report, 2024. At the same time, PMI research just revealed that projects with some degree of social benefits are more likely to be rated a success. 

The three standout projects honoured from the Sub-Saharan Africa region are, Africa’s Largest Kitchen by Food4Education which addresses food insecurity by providing nutritious meals to school children across Kenya, directly contributing to the UN SDG of zero hunger. Life-changing Cash Transfers, a project by GiveDirectly, empowers vulnerable communities through direct cash transfers, enabling recipients to meet essential needs. The Energy Subscription Program under the Beyond The Grid Fund for Africa is expanding access to affordable, renewable energy across underserved communities, advancing SDG goals related to clean energy and economic growth. 

“Through innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to sustainable development, we are seeing real progress in addressing some of Africa’s most pressing challenges. PMI is proud to recognise and celebrate these efforts, as they embody the spirit of what project management can achieve for a better future,” says George Asamani, Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, PMI. “This year’s Most Influential Projects demonstrate the tremendous potential of project management to not only meet strategic goals but also to drive meaningful social change.”

Through empathy, teamwork, innovation — and outstanding project management – this year’s honorees represent transformative initiatives that advance the United Nations SDGs. The projects recognised implement solutions and comprehensive approaches that rethink the world as we know it rather than putting a bandage on problems. They’re critically assessing their performance to develop replicable best practices that can create exponential positive change. 

The list highlights project teams’ progress on innovative projects in education, climate action, architecture, technology, healthcare, and more.

The list of top 20 Most Influential Projects recognized by PMI.

1. 1 Billion Tree Project, Government of Mongolia in collaboration with private enterprise (Region: Asia Pacific) 
2. 3D Kidney Printing, Trestle Biotherapeutics (Region: North America) 
3. Blue Natural Capital, OCN.AI (Region: Global) 
4. Digital Security Training, Freedom of the Press Foundation (Region: Global) 
5. Disappearing Packaging, Notpla, Ltd. (Region: Latin America) 
6. Escuelas de Lluvia, Isla Urbana (Region: Latin America) 
7. Irrigation Monitoring Sensors, Virtual Irrigation Academy (Region: Global) 
8. Jardin de Mels, State Secretariat for Sustainable Development (Sedest), the Water and Land Institute, and the government of Paraná, Brazil (Region: Latin America) 
9. LATAM Accelerator Cohort, Inter-American Development Bank and Toilet Board Coalition (Region: Latin America) 
10. National STEM Festival, EXPLR and U.S. Department of Education (Region: North America) 
11. NESsT Refugee Employment Initiative, IKEA (Region: Global)
12. Requiem in Power, City of Valencia, Spain (Region: Europe) 
13. Sana Jardin Women’s Cooperative, Sana Jardin Perfumes (Region: MENA) 
14. The Pad Project Partnership Program, The Pad Project (Region: Global)
15. UNHCR Sports Partnership, Fundación Barça, and UN’s High Commission on Refugees (Region: Europe) 
16. Vietnam Home-to-School Travel Safety Program, International Road Assessment Programme (Region: APAC) 
17. Wolbachia Mosquitoes Release Program, World Mosquito Program (Region: Global)

What did PMI Consider?

To identify the Most Influential Projects of 2024, PMI researched hundreds of projects and gathered nominations from experts, members, and stakeholders worldwide. The honourees were rigorously evaluated through quantitative and qualitative data to ensure each project achieved a notable milestone in the last year while also confirming their alignment with the UN SDGs and the values of the global project management community.

In addition to the standout projects from Sub-Saharan Africa, several other innovative initiatives from the region received honourable mentions for their exceptional contributions to alleviating global challenges. These include The Samburu Project, which is improving access to clean water in Kenya’s arid regions, directly supporting the UN SDG for clean water and sanitation; The Square Kilometer Array Radio Telescope, an ambitious international collaboration that advances scientific understanding of the universe while fostering local development and capacity-building in South Africa; and the Vision Impact Project, which is transforming eye care accessibility by providing vision screening and affordable eyewear to underserved communities, addressing health and well-being goals.