Better World Framework
The Better World Framework was developed by the World Organization of the Scout Movement in partnership with the United Nations as part of the Sustainable Development Goals initiative. It allows Scouts to become global citizens and take action to create a better world.
The Better World Framework portfolio includes challenges aimed at inspiring young people to participate in their local communities and to become active citizens, in the following four areas:
- Environment and Sustainability
- Peace and Community Engagement
- Health and Wellbeing
- Skills for Life
Various global Scouting programmes are incorporated into the Better World Framework, including Messengers of Peace, EarthTribe (Champions for Nature, Scouts Go Solar, Plastic Tide Turners), and Dialogue for Peace. These programmes are often used as the basis for National Challenges in the branches, but can also be used by Scouters to develop and run regular programmes and projects at Group level.
You can find out more on the SCOUTS South Africa Better World Framework page, or contact the Gauteng Regional Coordinator for the Better World Framework, Rochelle Booyens, [email protected]
2026 SDG National Challenge – Be Water Safe
The National Scout Programme Team wishes you an exciting, adventurous, and action-packed Scouting year in 2026!
Water is a constant part of Scouting — from camps and hikes to canoeing, rafting, swimming, and seaside adventures. It offers incredible opportunities for fun, learning, and growth, but it also brings real responsibility.
The National Challenge 2026 – Be Water Safe invites Scouts across South Africa to become smart, confident, and responsible around water.
The Challenge is designed to support Scout Leaders to develop capable Scouts who know how to act safely in, on, and near water. The focus is on practical, real-world water safety skills that are relevant and achievable in every community, not only those with access to formal facilities.
The Be Water Safe programme encourages hands-on learning through Patrol-based activities, while remaining flexible enough to be adapted to individual Scouts, and local conditions and resources. Activities are designed to reinforce safe behaviours, build confidence, and link naturally to advancement requirements and water-related badges.
By guiding Scouts through this Challenge, Scouters will help them gain lifelong skills — from swimming and water safety to rescue awareness and emergency response — while reinforcing leadership, teamwork, and personal responsibility.
Together, we can ensure that every Scout is better prepared to enjoy water safely and to look out for others, living out the Scout Promise through action and care.
Troop Scouters must please register their Troop for participation in the National Challenge 2026 – Be Water Safe by 15 February 2026 using the official online registration form by clicking on the link HERE . It’s simple, quick, and will only take two minutes!
Please find attached documents:
National Challenge 2026 – Be Water Safe : Guidelines_v1
National Challenge 2026 – Be Water Safe : Troop Programme-On-A-Plate_v1
National Challenge 2026 – Be Water Safe : Quiz_v1
National Challenge 2026 – Be Water Safe : Troop Tracker v1
I hope the Be Water Safe Challenge will be enthusiastically embraced by both Scouters and Scouts in 2026, and that we’ll see strong participation across the country. Water safety is an essential life skill, and every Scout should have the opportunity to learn it!
Thank you for helping make water safety a shared Scouting skill for life.
Kind regards
Condor🦅
Theo Rijs
Chair: National Scout Programme