This article describes and analyzes the process of designing and implementing a new social work curriculum in Chile, considering the many social-justice challenges and rapid changes that the country has experienced in recent years. At the center of this new curriculum, an innovative, pedagogical strategy called 'Research and Development Nuclei' seeks to address the 17 United Nations' goals for sustainable development. This process involved social work students, faculty, agencies, and service users who worked collectively to generate a more inclusive and effective way to transform social problems in Chile and, potentially, other parts of Latin America. This article summarizes part of the history of the social work profession in Chile; describes some of the current characteristics of the social context, currently flagged by overlapped inequalities and high levels of mistrust toward institutions. In this context, we provide some examples of how the 'Research and Development Nuclei', our flagship innovation, are working to address some of the Global Goals as well as some shortcomings from the traditional way social work has been taught in the country. Finally, we discuss some limitations and challenges of this new model in order to consolidate its innovative character in social work education in Chile.