Global Citizen and PayPal Launch the Global Citizen PayPal Small Business Impact Award

Introduction

Global Citizen and PayPal have partnered to introduce the Global Citizen PayPal Small Business Impact Award, an initiative designed to recognize and support small business owners and entrepreneurs who leverage commerce to drive social and environmental progress. This award highlights the alignment of profit with purpose, offering a $25,000 USD cash prize alongside expert support and valuable business tools to help scale impact.

Significance of the Award in Advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Role of Small Businesses in Sustainable Development

Small businesses are fundamental to community resilience and economic growth worldwide. They contribute to job creation, innovation, and address local challenges, directly supporting several SDGs including:

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
5. SDG 13: Climate Action

The award spotlights entrepreneurs who embed sustainability and social responsibility into their business models, such as adopting sustainable practices, partnering with local nonprofits, and empowering communities through employment and training.

Statements from Leadership

• Liza Henshaw, President of Global Citizen: Emphasizes the vital role of small businesses in local economies and communities globally, encouraging submissions from entrepreneurs committed to social good.
• Amy Bonitatibus, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, PayPal: Highlights the importance of small businesses in societal transformation, job creation, community strengthening, and shaping the future of commerce.

Awards and Benefits

Prize Package

The winner of the Global Citizen PayPal Small Business Impact Award will receive:

• $25,000 USD in funding to support business growth
• Access to commerce and payments expertise from industry professionals
• Marketing and brand activation support to expand reach
• Insights and data to facilitate smarter, impact-driven decisions

This comprehensive support aims to empower small business owners to enhance their social and environmental impact effectively.

Eligibility Criteria

Who Can Apply?

• Owners, founders, or CEOs actively involved in strategic or operational leadership of the business
• Small-to-medium-sized businesses with fewer than 50 full-time employees or under $1 million USD in annual revenue (subject to local standards)
• Businesses operational for at least three years
• Businesses serving local communities through initiatives such as:
  • Supporting local nonprofits or causes
  • Engaging in community development or local partnerships
  • Implementing sustainable environmental or economic practices
  • Creating jobs or training opportunities for local residents

Eligibility Exclusions

• Franchises or businesses affiliated with national or international chains are ineligible
• Businesses must be independent, locally owned enterprises making direct community impact
• Entities under US sanctions or restricted by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) are excluded

Contribution to a More Equitable and Sustainable Future

In the face of global social and environmental challenges, small businesses are uniquely positioned to lead sustainable development at the grassroots level. The Global Citizen PayPal Small Business Impact Award aligns with:

• Global Citizen’s mission to end extreme poverty within our lifetime
• PayPal’s commitment to economic empowerment and inclusive growth

This initiative encourages local leaders to continue driving innovation and positive change, contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Application Process

Entrepreneurs making a meaningful impact in their communities are invited to apply and gain recognition for their efforts. For full eligibility criteria and to submit an application, visit the award platform today.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article emphasizes small businesses as vital to local economies, job creation, and entrepreneurial leadership.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Focus on innovation and supporting small businesses to scale their impact through expert support and business tools.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Small businesses contributing to community development, local partnerships, and supporting local nonprofits.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Implementation of sustainable practices benefiting the local environment and economy.
5. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Global Citizen’s mission to end extreme poverty aligns with empowering small businesses to create economic opportunities.
6. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Focus on economic empowerment and inclusive growth through supporting local entrepreneurs and communities.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation.
   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including young people and persons with disabilities.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.3: Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises to financial services, including affordable credit and their integration into value chains and markets.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.6: Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.
5. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
6. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Number of jobs created or training opportunities provided
   • The article mentions small businesses creating jobs and training opportunities for local residents, which aligns with measuring employment growth and skills development.
2. Number of small businesses supported or scaled
   • Tracking the number of small businesses receiving funding, expert support, and business tools to scale their impact.
3. Implementation of sustainable practices
   • Indicators related to adoption of sustainable business practices benefiting the environment and economy.
4. Community engagement and partnerships
   • Measurement of small businesses’ involvement with local nonprofits, community development, and partnerships.
5. Revenue and business longevity
   • Criteria such as operating for at least three years and revenue thresholds imply tracking business sustainability and economic contribution.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: globalcitizen.org