Call for Submissions: Good Practices, Success Stories and Lessons Learned in SDG Implementation
2019-02-28
Call for Submissions: Good Practices, Success Stories and Lessons Learned in SDG Implementation – United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)
Three years into the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the sustainable development goals (SDGs), many Governments, UN entities, international and regional organizations, Major Groups and other Stakeholders, are planning or have initiated evidence-based stock-taking of progress.
Where do we stand? Are we on track? What are the inspiring breakthroughs and success stories that are showing results and impacts? What are the good practices that can be replicated and scaled up? What are the gaps and constraints and how should we address them? Looking ahead, what steps should we take to accelerate progress?
These are among the questions that are under consideration. To help answer these questions, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) is launching a call for submissions of good practices, success stories and lessons learned in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. The submissions will be analyzed by a dedicated inter-agency team coordinated by UN DESA, and the results will be made available online for easy access and broad dissemination. Where applicable, the submissions can serve as inputs to thematic preparations for the 2019 sessions of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF).
An event will be organized in the lead-up to the 2019 HLPF convened under the auspices of the General Assembly to showcase a selection of the good practices and success stories and to present the main findings of the evidence-based stock-taking. It is hoped that the submission, collection, analysis and dissemination of good practices, success stories and lessons learned will help galvanize the momentum for implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
Submissions can be made between 1 November 2018 and 28 February 2019 by using a web-based portal. All are encouraged to follow the template to the extent possible. For queries, please email DSDG@un.org, at the Division for Sustainable Development Goals of UN DESA.
We look forward to receiving your submissions.
Submit your contribution here

Download the submissions template here Submissions must be done using the web-based portal
Download a PDF version of this call here
Frequently asked questions

Making sustainable development the political priority for the EU’s new political leadership
2019-02-28 10:00 - 12:30 UTC | Brussels
How to prepare in this year of transition?
Panel debate 10:00 – 12:30 @ EEB (Tweekerkenstraat 14-16, Brussels)
Please register by 25 February by emailing to sdgwatcheurope@gmail.com
In 2019, a new European Parliament will be elected, and the political leadership of the EU will change. This year of transition provides opportunities to reshape the overall narrative of the EU and to finally give sustainable development the political weight it should have been given already. It is not inevitable that the next Commission will make sustainable development its top priority? What needs to be done to ensure that this happens?
Civil society knows: another Europe is possible! While recognizing the challenge we are currently facing in the EU, civil society is engaging in the discussion of what kind of Europe we want. We share core values in our joint strive for sustainable development: democracy and transparency, social and environmental justice, human rights, the rule of law, equality, and solidarity. Those values must be at the heart of all policies and this means fundamental changes from today. To challenge the future political leaders of the EU, SDG Watch Europe and a wide network of civil society have put forward a “Manifesto for a Sustainable Europe for Its Citizens”.
On the morning of its General Assembly, SDG Watch Europe invites its members to discuss with selected institutional stakeholders in what way together we can ensure the next Commission will deliver on the 2030 Agenda and explore how different stakeholders can support civil society’s call for the ambitious implementation of the SDGs. The discussions will look into a stronger role for the new European Parliament on how to step up its watchdog function. The role of Member States will be explored – especially that of progressive Governments – and the likely impact of the Finnish EU Presidency, the first presidency to follow the appointment of the new Commission. Furthermore, we will discuss ideas of the EESC to encourage the Commission to be more ambitious as well as the role of civil society in increasing the pressure, including within (but not limited to) the Multi-Stakeholder Platform on the SDGs.
Panelists:

Cristina Gallach, High Commissioner for Agenda 2030, Government of Spain
Annika Lindblom, Counsellor for International Affairs at the Finnish Environment Ministry and Secretary-General of the Prime Minister led multi-stakeholder National Commission on Sustainable Development
Peter Schmidt, President of the European Economic Social Committee’s Sustainable Development Observatory
Eleni Theocharous, MEP, rapporteur Annual strategic report on the implementation and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (TBC)
Elly Schlein, MEP (TBC)
Heidi Hautala, MEP, Vice-President (TBC)
Patrizia Heidegger, Steering Group of SDG Watch Europe / Director Global Policies and Sustainability with the European Environmental Bureau
Tanya Cox, Executive Director, CONCORD

The registration for the CSO Forum on Wednesday 20th March
2019-03-20 08:00 - 17:00
The registration for the CSO Forum on Wednesday 20th March, prior to the Regional SDGs Forum in Geneva, is now open. You can register via this link.
You will need a UN Badge to enter into the Palais de Nation building.
Please share with colleagues!

Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region
2019-03-21 - 2019-03-22
The Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region will be held from 21-22 March 2019 at the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG).
Theme 2019:
The Regional Forum will be aligned with the theme of the 2019 High-level Political Forum: “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality”
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in focus:
SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), SDG 13 (climate action), and SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions).

European Civic Academy
2019-03-28 - 2019-03-29
By Civil Society Europe and the National Federation of Polish NGOs
The European Civic Academy aims to give activists key insights and exchange experiences into critical development in the area of democracy and civic space as well as concrete tools on how to address them. Building partnerships between the academic world, and civil society is ever more needed as the rule of law are European values are eroded, civic freedoms are now threatened in several countries of the European Union. Moreover, the emerging of « illiberal » democracies, the rising of populist movements has created a difficult climate for independent civil society organisations.
The organising committee has proposed to focus this year’s Academy on the impact of populism on civil society, exploring current literature and practice and perspectives ahead, in a particular context with both the European elections and uncertainties around the impact of Brexit.
The meeting will take place on 28 and 29 March is Słubice in Poland just across the border with Germany at the Collegium Polonicum, an Academic institution symbol of reconciliation between Germany and Poland. The venue has been chosen both as a symbol of European cooperation and in a country where civic space and the rule of law have been attacked, but where civil society is thriving. The cities of Słubice/Frankfurt Oder have granted us patronage for this event. The meeting is organised in cooperation with Collegium Polonicum and the European Alliance for Social Sciences and Humanities.
It is co-funded by CSO Partnership for Development effectiveness as part of Sweden’s Policy for Global Development, and it benefits from the support of the European Civic Forum and of the Solidar Foundation.
Please find the agenda and registration details on our website
Do you not hesitate to disseminate the information among your members.Registration is open until 15 March

Small grants for projects at local level around Fair Trade and Ethical Fashion
2019-03-29
The Fair Trade Advocacy Office has just launched a call for proposals for small grants for projects by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and/or Local Authorities (LAs) in any EU Member State to develop and implement innovative approaches that promote sustainable production and consumption at local level, in particular Fair Trade and Ethical Fashion, to raise the visibility of these approaches for policy-makers in order to encourage their support and facilitate building and sharing capacities amongst CSOs and LAs through networking & cross-learning. All information can be found here. Deadline for application submission is 29 March 2019 by 17:00 CET. This is NOT related to the European Parliament elections. To help you find potential partners for this sub-grant facility, we have developed a match-making document, available here: For questions, contact my colleague Fabienne Yver (yver@fairtrade-advocacy.org)

Jamm Session: EP Elections 2019 - Live Online Dialogue
2019-04-25 09:00 - 17:00
Join Culture Action Europe on 25 April 2019, from 10.00 to 18.00, online at http://jammart.eu, where we will be bringing together citizens and key EU policy makers, including MEP candidates from all across Europe to discuss such issues as:

Education & Research
European Identities & Values
Labour & Working Conditions
A Sustainable Future

Activators from a range of partner civil society organisations will invigorate each thematic chat room. Does your organisation want to help activate the discussions? Or would you like more information? Get in touch at contact@cultureactioneurope.org.
‘Spotlight Sessions’ will also allow participants to pose their questions directly to MEPs and candidates, who will reply live via videolink, with MEP candidates already confirmed from across the major political party groupings.
Raise your issues and raise your solutions: if your organisation has a manifesto, a petition, an action day – you can highlight this in the Solutions chat room at the end of the day.
With the European Parliament elections approaching in May 2019, it is the crucial moment to exchange on these key issues for the future of Europe – and as the event is online, you can drop in and join in whenever and from wherever you like to contribute to the conversation! Automatic translation will also be available.
Spread the word to encourage your networks to get active and put their burning questions to MEPs!
Registrations for participation are now open at: http://jammart.eu

Policy debate for the Spitzenkandidaten
2019-04-29 07:00 - 16:00
European Youth Forum is organising a policy debate for the Spitzenkandidaten on 29 April together with the Maastricht University, which will be a rare opportunity to learn about their views through a joint, live debate. The debate will also reflect on topics emerging from an online survey.
If you have any questions or topics that you think the candidates should be debating also in relation to sustainable development, then you can fill in the survey by 17 March and by that also influence the debate: https://maastrichtuniversity.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ah5fJcvd0tMM6X3

Connecting Science and Society: Call for Applications to the Potsdam Summer School 2019
2019-04-29 - 2019-04-30
Interactions between science and society are at the centre of this year’s Potsdam Summer School, which will take place from 20 to 29 August 2019. It will explore the importance of science communication in order to find effective ways of communicating highly relevant topics in the field of sustainability and global change.
Since the sharing of interdisciplinary knowledge and expertise is a key aspect of the Summer School, the following questions will also guide the ten-day programme:

How can scientists address audiences from other societal areas?
Can all sustainability topics be communicated in the same way?
Should scientists become advocates rather than maintaining a neutral stance?
How can we deal with incomplete or misrepresented scientific information?
How can we reduce complexity without losing the scientific character?
How can we strengthen the credibility of scientific findings?

With its overarching theme – “Connecting Science & Society – Communicating Research on Sustainability and Global Change” – this year’s Potsdam Summer School will continue the transdisciplinary and interactive event series that has been held annually in Potsdam since 2014. The Summer School will provide its participants with a comprehensive look into theories and methods of science communication. They will engage in discussions and group work, where they will be provided with the tools to develop effective communication strategies.
The aim is to bring together talented early-career scientists and young professionals operating in the private sector, governmental agencies and non-governmental organisations from many different parts of the world to discuss frontier (research) questions on future sustainable development. We also aim to train science communication ambassadors who are eager to engage with various sectors of the public back in their home countries. Our goal is to improve science awareness, help to develop informed opinions, and enhance the transferable skills of current researchers.
In this context, the Potsdam Summer School provides a unique opportunity for all participants to foster international cooperation and an interdisciplinary exchange of ideas. These issues span a multitude of natural and social science disciplines and invite stakeholders from the public and private sector to get involved.
In partnership with Geo.X and the City of Potsdam, the 2019 Potsdam Summer School will be jointly organised by the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), the Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), and the University of Potsdam. Experts, stakeholders, and guest lecturers from high-level national and international institutes and organisations will contribute their knowledge and insights to the Summer School programme. The programme will comprise lectures, various discussion formats, and interactive group activities.
The call for applications will start on 1 February and the deadline for submitting applications is 30 April.
More information:

https://potsdam-summer-school.org/

SDG Global Festival of Action
2019-05-01 - 2019-05-04
Join us in Bonn, Germany: 2 – 4 May 2019
#SDGglobalFest
Apply to register
The SDG Global Festival of Action is a ground-breaking event, positioned to gather and inspire SDGs campaigners and multi-stakeholder partners to scale up and broaden the global movement to take action for the SDGs.
Taking place in Bonn every year, the Festival provides a dynamic and interactive space to showcase the latest innovations, tools and approaches to SDG advocacy and SDG action.
It brings together leaders from governments, local authorities, international organizations, civil society, activists, young advocates, the creative industry and the private sector– to scale up the impact of their work and strategize joint actions, whilst motivating new organizations and individuals to join the movement and take action for the SDGs.
For more information see: https://globalfestivalofaction.org

Seminar: The Role of Families in achieving the Circular Economy
2019-05-13 - 2019-05-14
14 May 2019
09.30-11.30
Venue: Room JDE 51
European Economic and Social Committee
Rue Belliard 99, 1040 Brussels
It is a pleasure to invite you to the seminar on “the Role of Families in achieving the Circular Economy” that Make Mothers Matter is organising in partnership with the European Economic and Social Committee on the occasion of the International Day of Families.
As the Behavioural Study on Consumers’ Engagement in the Circular Economy recently published by the European Commission 2018 points out, consumer participation on the Circular Economy has received little attention until now. Thus to move towards a Circular Economy, the consumption/ demand side needs to be well understood and studied. Consumers play a pivotal role in transitioning to a circular economy.
At this conference we want to explore how families can be better integrated and considered on the circular economy. We will bring together different experts and stakeholders at various levels of action, from policy-makers to community-led initiatives combining a top down and bottom up approach. The aim is to exchange and build a constructive dialogue among different actors of sustainable development in Europe.
We will analyse how our society can achieve economic progress by including measures of social inclusion, equal opportunities and justice, and how families can be supported in order to contribute in the transition to a more circular economy.
This event is an occasion for MMM to present how we are engaging families in the circular economy at the Horizon 2020 research project CIRC4life.
Speakers
Luca Jahier : EESC President,
Hugo Schally : DG Environment European Commission,
Eline Boon : Ellen MacArthur Foundation,
Olalla Michelena : Make Mothers Matter,
Jörg Adamczewski : Zero Waste France
Please find more information on the agenda.
Please kindly register here and do not hesitate to forward this invitation to anybody that may be interested.
In order for you to get the accreditation needed to access the event, please leave us the required information and bring your ID or passport with you on the 14th of May.
For any questions related to the event please contact us at europe@makemothersmatter.org
Learn more about the EU Delegation of Make Mothers Matter by visiting our website

Spot the 17! Brussels
2019-05-20 - 2019-05-21
Do you enjoy walking and sightseeing?
Do you know what SDG means?
Do you know the difference between an SDG and an MDG?
Do you know why they matter?
Would you like to find out?
‘Spot the 17! Brussels’ is a game in which you wander around the Belgian and European capital hunting, not for buried treasures, but for nuggets of wisdom and gems of knowledge about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Development Agenda to achieve them.
The game is designed to inform you about and test your knowledge of the SDGs.
You can start playing ‘Spot the 17! Brussels’ anywhere in downtown Brussels. To locate all 17 SDGs requires you to walk some 10kms and takes up to three hours. This has the additional bonus of being good for your health and well-being, which is SDG number three.
Instruction
To play ‘Spot the 17! Brussels’, you first need to click on ‘register’ and we will send you some documents you need for your hunt. Next, you need to download the app and scan the QR code that you will receive via e-mail.
Once you have completed the hunt, send us your results to win a delicious prize.
The game will be available from May 2019 till May 2020.

#vote4friendship – Song for Europe"
2019-05-24 - 2019-05-25
With a new version of a classic Queen song and high-profile advocates, a music campaign is drumming up support for the European elections: in favour of the European ideal and against nationalism and marginalisation
Pan-European music project: Young artists from all 28 EU countries join forces to cover “Friends Will Be Friends” by Queen Video
Campaign objective: for 50 NGOs from over 20 countries, as the party-independent, pro-European “Alliance4Europe”, to mobilise additional three million non-voters to cast their votes in the elections on 23-26 May
Support from BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt, Deutsche Post Foundation, Mercator Stiftung, DDB Warsaw, Serviceplan Group, European Front, Agora, CoInvest, Pulse of Europe, The Good Lobby, Katapult Filmproduktion GmbH, Mokoh Music GmbH, Factor product, Cities of Gdańsk and Warsaw and prominent advocates such as Christopher Clark, Timothy Garton Ash, Nick Stern, Agnieszka Holland and Ulrich Wickert
Munich, 13.05.2019 – Just imagine, it’s the European parliamentary elections – and only opponents of Europe turn up at the polls. Instead of waiting around to see what happens, Alliance4Europe – an informal, independent network of 50 civil society organisations and initiatives from 20 EU member states – is taking action now. On 13 May, Alliance4Europe is sending out a strong musical appeal to the whole of Europe with the #vote4friendship campaign: 30 artists from 28 member countries are coming together to sing the Queen hit “Friends Will Be Friends”, which the band made available royalty-free for this purpose. The collaborative music video will be released across Europe. Alliance4Europe’s campaign is primarily aimed at young EU citizens who take the achievements of the European Union for granted but, for the most part, do not go to the polls. The last time a new European Parliament was elected, only 43.09 percent of all eligible voters actually cast their vote.
A song for friendship and freedom – and against hatred and marginalisation
The focus of the campaign is a three-minute music video of the Queen song “Friends Will Be Friends” featuring 30 artists from 28 countries. As well as the musicians, the video also features people from every European country who are coming together to stand for the campaign’s pro-European message. The participating performers, including soul and funk artist Oceana from Germany, Portuguese singer Virgul and Swedish alternative rockers Normandie, are not only making a musical contribution, but showing their commitment to the idea of a pan-European friendship in emotional video statements, which they are actively sharing with their national and international fans and followers.
Friends of Europe, unite!
#vote4friendship is aimed in particular at young Europeans who are meanwhile hard to reach with traditional campaigns and therefore more easily manipulated by targeted disinformation in the digital media. The campaign relies on the power of dialogue and is based on digital building blocks and formats that can be actively shared among civil society. A wide supporter network of European influencers, prominent multipliers like, Christopher Clark, Timothy Garton Ash, Nick Stern, Agnieszka Holland, Ulrich Wickert and organisations like the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt, Deutsche Post Foundation, Mercator Stiftung, DDB Warsaw, Serviceplan Group, European Front, Agora, CoInvest, Pulse of Europe, The Good Lobby, Katapult Filmproduktion GmbH, Mokoh Music GmbH, Factor product, Cities of Gdańsk and Warsaw shares a common interest: to strengthen the European idea across all borders from a cultural, economic and living perspective. All campaign contents, videos and statements are therefore available on the website vote4friendship.eu and alliance4europe.eu/resources to download and share on all social media channels and platforms.
No vote, no voice
Of all EU citizens who are eligible to vote in the European elections, over half don’t. At the last elections for the European Parliament, the voter turnout throughout Europe was 43.09 percent. “By staying silent, millions of EU citizens, who enjoy living in a united Europe and reap its benefits on a daily basis, are opening the door to a radical minority that wants to jeopardise our Europe,” says Sonja Stuchtey (47), initiator and managing director of Alliance4Europe. Founded in November 2018, the NGO is opposing this with the Europe-wide omnichannel campaign #vote4friendship. Its aim is to break the silence of non-voters aged between 18 and 35 across Europe and to motivate at least three million of them to cast their vote.
About Alliance4Europe
Alliance4Europe was founded by entrepreneur Sonja Stuchtey together with 25 Europeans in November 2018. It represents an agile network of civil society groups and citizens in Europe who are committed to safeguarding the European Union and its values. The first milestone of the commitment of Alliance4Europe and all its many supporters, partners and local participating organisations in all EU member states is simple: by uniting civil society in a common cause, they want to reinforce the positive image of the European Union among young Europeans in the run-up to the elections for a new EU Parliament on 26 May 2019. In addition to the music video initiative, via the newly created “Alliance EU Wiki” Alliance4Europe is also initiating and coordinating information campaigns, bar camps, panels and many other decentrally organised projects throughout the whole of Europe under the motto #vote4friendship.
After the European elections, Allianz4Europe will continue to support projects that encourage a dialogue in Europe. It promotes pro-European groups and organisations, coordinates Europe-wide campaigns and, with its extensive combined online reach, enables the wide-reaching communication and sharing of best-practice projects and pro-EU narratives.
Alliance4Europe is a non-profit organisation (gGmbH) without any political affiliations.

European Sustainable Development Week (ESDW) 2019
2019-05-29 - 2019-06-05
Launch of the European Sustainable Development Week (ESDW) 2019! The ESDW is a European-wide initiative to stimulate and make visible activities, projects and events that promote sustainable development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It takes place every year from 30 May until 5 June.
The European Sustainable Development Week (ESDW) is an initiative to facilitate the organization of activities that promote sustainable development and make these efforts visible on a common platform. The recently adopted global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) articulates key issues that call for urgent action at all levels and by all stakeholders. The ESDW contributes to this ambitious, universal and transformative agenda by promoting the organization of bottom-up activities that have a thematic link to and support the SDGs. As such, the ESDW aims to raise awareness for the 2030 Agenda in Europe and calls upon local stakeholders to actively engage with sustainable development, in general, and the SDGs, in particular.
Activities will be able to be registered and viewed on this website. This will be a tool for organizers to promote their project and attract higher participation. Furthermore, they will gain access to promotion material (logos, posters, banners etc.) on the site, highlighting their participation in a concerted European effort for sustainable development.
Event registration is now open for everyone who wishes to organize an event that is centered around sustainability.

Meeting the SDGs: Challenges for the Coffee Value Chain
2019-06-06 08:30 - 17:00
BY Conservation International
On June 6th (9:30 – 18:00), the International Coffee Organization (ICO) and the European Coffee Federation (ECF) is hosting a Symposium on ‘Meeting the SDGs: Challenges for the Coffee Value Chain. Shared solutions to coffee price levels, volatility and long-term sustainability”. The event will take place in the Albert Borschette Conference Centre, Rue Froissart 36 in Brussels.
More information on the event as well as the (draft) program can be found here. Interested participants can register here.

EDDs
2019-06-17 - 2019-06-19
EDDs registration is now open!
EDDS
When: 18-19 June 2019
Where: Tour & Taxis, Brussels
This year’s edition of the EDD will address inequalities. With exciting high-level speakers, debates and other engaging sessions, EDD 2019 will focus on combining the European Union’s goals to address inequalities and the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development.
How to register:

STEP ONE: Create a profile on the EDD website. You will not be able to sign up to the event without a profile.
STEP TWO: Register on the EDD website.

Click on the ‘Register’ button on your dashboard
Register through a pre-identified organisation with your professional email address. If your organisation is not listed or you are attending independently, please contact registration@eudevdays.eu
Upload an ID picture.

For security reasons, each registration will be carefully reviewed. Please remember that creating a profile does not give you access to the event. You need to fully register. An official confirmation with a QR code will be sent to you once your registration is approved.
You will need this QR code to access EDD 2019.

Webinar on SDGs and Human Rights - 18 (EN), 19 (ES) and 20 (FR) June
2019-06-17 - 2019-06-20
WEBINAR
Tools to operationalise the synergies between SDGs and Human Rights
Dates: June 18 (EN), 19 (ES) and 20 (FR)
Time: 10AM – 11AM EST (New York time)
See Save the Date here
The 2030 Agenda is explicitly grounded in human rights, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) seek to realise human rights for all. Moreover, the pledge to leave no one behind reflects the fundamental human rights principles of non-discrimination and equality. At the Danish Institute for Human Rights, we develop analysis, tools and guidance to operationalise a human rights-based approach to the implementation of sustainable development, in a manner that leaves no one behind.
This webinar will discuss how to use two of our strategic tools to strengthen the realisation and review of the SDGs with data from human rights mechanisms:

The Human Rights Guide to the SDGs: sdg.humanrights.dk
SDG-Human Rights Data Explorer: sdgdata.humanrights.dk

The webinar is available is three languages, with Live Captions services for each date to provide for wider accessibility:
English: Tuesday, June 18, 10AM – 11AM EST
Español: Miércoles, 19 de junio, 10AM – 11AM EST
Français: Jeudi, 20 juin, 10AM – 11AM EST
The connecting details are the following. If you will activate the Live Captions, please refer to this document for the set up information.
ENGLISH – 18 June 2019, 10am EST
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/809740495
Meeting ID: 809 740 495
Dial by your location: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/abDJTPguL1
LIVE CAPTIONS: https://www.streamtext.net/text.aspx?event=CFI-DIHR
SPANISH – 19 June 2019, 10am EST
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/453970911
Meeting ID: 453 970 911
Dial by your location: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/abDJTPguL1
LIVE CAPTIONS: https://www.streamtext.net/text.aspx?event=CFI-DIHR-Spanish
FRENCH – 20 June 2019, 10am EST
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/557245436
Meeting ID: 557 245 436
Dial by your location: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/abDJTPguL1
LIVE CAPTIONS: https://www.streamtext.net/text.aspx?event=CFI-DIHR-French

Report launch ‘Falling through the cracks: Exposing inequalities in the European Union and beyond’
2019-06-18 15:00 - 16:30
Presented by: Make Europe Sustainable for All (MESA) and SDG Watch Europe
European Development Days (EDDs)
Room L1
18 June – 16.00 to 17.30
Leaving the vulnerable behind
The European Union has just over a decade left to achieve the Leave No One Behind principle of Agenda 2030. Despite the ticking clock, in many EU countries there are striking inequalities hindering sustainable development, including defective social protection systems, poverty, tax injustice and climate change.
‘Falling through the cracks: Exposing inequalities in the European Union and beyond’, will be launched during the European Development Days. The report provides a national picture of the various forms of inequalities and an overview of inequalities at the EU level. The document also focuses on individual forms of inequalities in its thematic chapters.
The report is structured around:
– 15 national reports highlighting the state of inequalities in each of the participating countries
– Thematic chapters on individual but interrelated dimensions of inequality [AG1]
– EU-level review of Europe-wide trends relating to inequalities, the European Union’s commitments in the fight against inequalities, as well as a comparative analysis of how EU member countries have performed.

LLP annual conference
2019-06-18 - 2019-06-20
LLP annual conference
The Lifelong Learning Platform has opened the registrations for their Annual Conference 2019, “Learning democracy, values and participation: the added value of lifelong learning“! Hurry up and reserve your tickets to the European conference on learning democracy, global citizenship education and promoting common values! Register now!

Post-European elections debate organized by 11.11.11 on 19 June
2019-06-19 19:00 - 21:00
In the wake of the European elections, many questions are being raised. We notice important tendencies, common threads and evolutions that might need some clarification.
What does this mean for human rights and democracy in the EU? Will populism get an even bigger breeding ground? What role will European civil society play in the coming years? Are far-right parties dead weight in the European Parliament?
11.11.11 has decided it is time to debate these topics.
Speakers
– Marta Pardavi, Co-chair at Helsinki Committee Hungary
– Laura Sullivan, Executive Director of We move EU
– Anne Van Lancker, former Member of the European Parliament for the Socialist Group
With Koen Vidal (Foreign editor De Standaard) as moderator.
When: 19 June 2019, 20:00 – 22:00
Where: Venue TOP, KVS, Lakensestraat 146, 1000 Brussels
Interested? Register now: https://www.11.be/component/zoo/item/europadebat#inschrijven
and/or share our facebook event with your network:
https://www.facebook.com/events/2257709491211367/?active_tab=about
The debate will be in English.

CIRC4Life - take part in new consumer survey on reuse and recycling
2019-09-08 - 2019-09-09
As part of an EU research project CIRC4Life, we are conducting a survey on consumer attitudes to reuse and recycling in electronics and food products.
Your input is very valuable to us in order to develop new products based on the circular economy which can have a great impact. The objective is to look for better ways to encourage people to make more sustainable choices.
The survey will take you a maximum of 10 minutes to complete and will be open until 9 September 2019. Thank you very much for taking the time to answer!
To answer the survey, click here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T35272F

Call for contributions for the 2nd GUNi International Conference on SDGs: Higher Education and Science take action!
2019-09-14 - 2019-09-15
After a successful first edition of the International Conference on SDGs: Actors and Implementation, GUNi will be holding the second edition of the GUNi International Conference on Sustainable Development Goals: Higher Education and Science Take Action on the 5th and 6th of March 2020 at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) in Barcelona.
Read the call for contributions here and submit your proposal!
For this 2nd GUNi International Conference on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) we welcome any contributions that present scientific research, innovative practices, projects, programmes and initiatives that demonstrate how higher education institutions are working towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Specifically, we would like to invite applications that put the spotlight on activities designed to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals and their achievement in teaching, research, institutional policies, third mission and student initiatives at higher education institutions. We encourage practices that involve collaboration with other institutions and organisations. We welcome applications from different countries, contexts and disciplines.
| Key dates |
Call for Contributions (pdf file)
– Opening of abstract submission: 29th April 2019
– Deadline for abstract submission: 15th September 2019 (23:59 ECT)
– Notification of acceptance/rejection: November 2019
Registration
– Early bird: 10th September – 1st December 2019, included
– Regular registration: from 2nd December 2019
=> Join the event on Facebook.
=> Use the hashtag on Twitter #GUNiSDGs

Global Strike For Future Belgium III
2019-09-19 - 2019-09-20
On Friday, 20 September 2019, millions of young people and adults worldwide will strike for climate Our house is on fire – no time to waste.
We will stop working and hit the streets to remind our politicians that the ‘window of opportunity’ is getting smaller as long as they don’t treat this situation as a civilizational crisis. No time to waste: we demand more ambitious climate action on every political level, that leaves no one behind.
All generations join forces: youth, adults, grandparents. The Belgian climate movement is stronger than ever! This strike will be the kick-off for an entire action week in our country, three days out from the UN’s climate summit in New York.
Come and show your support with your friends and colleagues! Meet-up at Brussels North station at 13:30.
More info about strike day:

NL: http://www.klimaatcoalitie.be/klimaatstaking
FR: http://www.klimaatcoalitie.be/node/536

More info about action week:

https://www.facebook.com/globalweekforfuturebelgium/

Climate Alliance Annual Conference - Climate.Cities.Communities
2019-09-25 - 2019-09-27 | Rostock, Rostock, Germany
The tide is changing. Thanks to grassroots campaigning, increasing numbers of local, regional and even national governments worldwide are now declaring the climate as a priority. Many other municipalities and regions have long taken climate change seriously and are already pursuing ambitious climate goals. For them, some of the most pressing questions revolve around how best to act on this all-encompassing issue when only parts of its root causes are under municipal control. Which local strategies can contribute to a liveable future, how can we implement them and what can we learn from global partnerships along the way? How do we realise necessary transitions in mobility and the built environment, how can we engage the public in our strategies and how do we adapt to the changes we cannot avoid?
Climate.Cities.Communities. explores the role of municipalities in climate action and the implementation of local strategies with the power to foster a good future for all. Join us in shaping our future!
More information on our website here: http://www.climatealliance.org/events/international-conference/2019-conference.html

International conference “Resource-Efficient Decarbonisation Pathways“
2019-11-04 - 2019-11-05
4-5 November 2019, Tagungswerk Berlin
In a modelling exercise, the German Environment Agency further explored the nexus between climate policies and associated resource requirements. Six different quantitative scenarios for Germany describe potential alternative pathways to achieve a greenhouse gas neutral and resource-efficient economy by the year 2050.
At the conference, we will explore:

the scenarios developed within the project “A Resource-Efficient and Greenhouse-Gas-Neutral Germany 2050” and resulting conclusions; and
implications of the study for the wider national, EU and international policy context.

You are invited to join us and about 150 national and international experts and decision-makers from policy making, industry, academia and civil society to discuss options and opportunities to advance on decarbonisation pathways.
Registration for the conference is now open. More detailed information on the event, including agenda and logistical information can be found on the conference website.
We look forward to welcoming you in Berlin on 4th and 5th November.

ECOPOLIS 2019: #GENERATIONHOPE
2019-11-10 11:00 - 18:00
Ecopolis is back to explore how we can ensure a sustainable and just future for our planet and generations to come!
Ecopolis 2019 will focus on the inspiring #GenerationHope: the young people all over the world standing up for action on the climate emergency!
Taking place in Brussels, Belgium, Ecopolis will bring together activists, authors and experts to debate and discuss the transition to a socio-ecologically sound society from a diverse range of perspectives.
Join us for panel discussions, performances, film screenings, book readings and much more, exploring multiple aspects of this key challenge of our time: from climate conversations crossing borders and generations, to eco-feminism and the interplay of misogyny and climate denial, to hearing from the young people at the forefront of climate protests!
This event will be in Dutch, English & French, with simultaneous interpretation available.
Pre-sale tickets – €7, Tickets on the door – €10. Find out more and GET YOUR TICKETS!

National Level Workshops 25th November 2019
2019-11-25 10:00 - 17:00
SDG Implementation in European Countries
Workshop for CSOs and CSO Platforms
On 25 November 2019 from 10:00 to 17:00, the SDG Watch Europe especially invites its members from national platforms, civil society coalitions or loose NGO networks for a set of capacity-building workshops and exchanges. The workshops will take place at: Meeting Room EARTH, European Environmental Bureau, 14-16 Rue des Deux Eglises, Brussels.
To register for the workshops please enter your details here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13rlBz9RxQGEwoQhV5Zm4971LGjl8rRo0lwR7Ik9gmEY/edit
Workshop 1 on Advocacy: Bringing the SDGs to the Parliament
As an intergovernmental agenda, the main responsibility of implementing the SDGs lies with the governments. In many cases, parliaments are insufficiently involved in the SDG processes and can thus not realize their checks-and-balances role. Furthermore, keeping in mind the speedy work process in parliaments and short-term political challenges, the SDGs are often too broad for the day-to-day life of parliamentarians.
In this session we want to discuss:

What are good and bad experiences of strategies to include the SDGs in parliamentarian processes? How to start and keep them onboard?
What kind of advocacy and training structures are useful to get them more engaged? What is meaningful participation, critical monitoring, legitimate opposition?
How to deal with conservative parliaments?

Workshop 2 on Communication: Rethinking SDG Awareness Raising
Why make the SDGs a top-down PR process if you can tap into the potential of telling stories close to people’s hearts? In this workshop we want to discuss examples of how to raise awareness on the SDGs in a way that motivates and leads to political engagement, without patronizing people. What are good strategies to reach people and overcome the gap between knowing and doing?
In this session we want to discuss:
– What are innovative ways of communicating the SDGs?
– What are ways to link the SDG to topics that are relevant for the public and create political pressure?
– What is the role of CSOs in communicating the SDGs – keeping in mind the agenda’s flaws and unambitious parts as well as its watchdog role concerning political processes?
Workshop 3 on Engagement: Connecting with Social Movements
Power to the people – an idea that in the last couple of years has once again become visible. All over Europe and the world, social movements are growing and people are voicing their political concerns, calling for actions and using various forms of protest to disrupt traditional lines of thinking.
In this session we want to discuss:
– What kind of role do social movements play in the implementation of sustainability? Is sustainability reflected in their strategies and in what way?
– Where do their successes lie, where are their limits?
– And how can CSOs engage, interact and partner with social movements in a meaningful way?
Open Discussion in World Café

SDG Watch Europe Plenary 26th November 2019
2019-11-26 09:30 - 13:00
Agenda SDG Watch Europe Plenary 26 November 2019
With a new, politically diverse European parliament that has steadily started its work and the unveiling of the new Commission the future focus of the EU Institutions is just beginning to take shape. So far, the role of the SDGs in it is still unclear. Whether or not it will be part of a Green Deal or the work on a sustainability strategy will finally start is yet to be decided in the coming months.
SDG Watch Europe has been pushing for the implementation of the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda ever since its adoption. With its work in the Multi Stakeholder Group, on the Multi-Annual Financial Framework, the 6th scenario as well as on the EP elections, SDG Watch Europe has always urged to take the SDGs seriously and put people and planet at the heart of European policies.
The next SDG Watch Europe Plenary will take place on 26 November 2019 from 9:30-13:00, at: Meeting Room EARTH, European Environmental Bureau, 14-16 Rue des Deux Eglises, Brussels.
To register for the meeting please enter your details here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13rlBz9RxQGEwoQhV5Zm4971LGjl8rRo0lwR7Ik9gmEY/edit
If you need any support for accessibility please let us know and we will provide what is needed. SDG Watch Europe will also be able to cover travel costs for some participants. Please contact us with a short explanatory statement for need of funding. In case of a large number of applicants, the Steering Group will decide on funding based on geographic, sectoral and gender balance. Contact: sdgwatcheurope@gmail.com
We are looking forward to a fruitful exchange.
Your steering group members,
Barbara, Constantinos, Deirdre, Julie, Inge, Ingo, Leida, Marie-Luise and Patrizia

LLLWeek 2019
2019-12-02 - 2019-12-06
The Lifelong Learning Platform (LLLP) will be holding the 9th edition of its iconic LLLWeek on 2-6 December 2019 in Brussels. The LLLWeek has become a milestone in the European education agenda, thanks to the support of civil society actors, Members of the European Parliament, and other representatives of the European institutions (European Commission, European Council, European Economic and Social Council). The LLLPlatform is proud to announce that the LLLWeek2019 will take place in cooperation with the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Youth intergroup and the Lifelong Learning Interest Group of the European Parliament, as well as partners such as CONCORD Europe and ECAS.
The Lifelong Learning Platform will tackle the topic of “Learning democracy, values and participation”, a theme encompassed throughout the year for LLLP. 2019 is a crucial year for Europe, as the political landscape changed with the May elections: through this topic, the LLLPlatform will seek to bring back the discussions around citizenship education, active citizenship, and the values that inform our democracies. Following the many inputs of the Lifelong Learning Interest Group of the European Parliament, the thrust of its membership, and the European momentum, the Lifelong Learning Platform hopes to build an arena in which to debate the importance of civic participation in political life at all levels – local, regional, national, European, and even international – and the role that a lifelong learning approach to citizenship has to play.
Why a lifelong learning week?
Lifelong learning covers education and training across all ages and in all areas of life. It enables citizen’s emancipation and full participation in society in its civic, political, social and economic dimensions. A humanistic and holistic approach to learning, from the cradle to the grave, is of continued relevance in today’s world and a viable foundation for the rethinking of education. The Lifelong Learning Week aims to raise awareness of the fact that lifelong learning answers many challenges of modern societies. Fostering a comprehensive approach to education is especially important when it comes to building learning societies, by making sure that our citizens are fully equipped with the competences they need in the 21st century. The paradigm shift to lifelong learning means recognising that learning is taking place in various contexts – be it formal, non-formal and informal. It implies changing the ways we provide and receive education, the ways we assess learning and the ways we work and live together.
Format
During the LLLWeek, participants will be taken into the topic of choice, starting from the context in which lifelong learning and education operate in Europe to build active citizens. We will subsequently delve into the policy framework that is supposed to provide the tools necessary to understand our society and the changes it undergoes. Different approaches can be deepened, as they all build up to the same overarching objective:

Global citizenship education
Learning democracy
Promoting values

In fact, all of these will contribute to the goal that the Lifelong Learning Platform has always been pursuing: better societies through education and lifelong learning.

Your project proposal could receive 50 000 EUR in funding through the 2020 Trust Initiative!
2019-12-31
Have an idea for building trust in data?
Your project proposal could receive 50 000 EUR in funding through the 2020 Trust Initiative!
PARIS21 is seeking proposals for innovative projects that enhance trust in data and statistics in low and middle-income countries. The initiative will sponsor six to twelve-month projects up to 50 000 EUR each.
SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL BEFORE 31 DECEMBER
