Meeting the SDGs: Challenges for the Coffee Value Chain
2019-06-06 08:30 - 17:00 UTC
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.

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.

#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.

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.

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

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

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/

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

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

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)

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

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).

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!

Making sustainable development the political priority for the EU’s new political leadership
2019-02-28 10:00 - 12:30 | 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

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

European Parliament elections campaign on Sustainable Consumption and Production (and small grants)
2019-02-22
The Fair Trade Advocacy Office will be leading with other civil society networks (e.g. CIDSE, IFOAM-EU, RIPESS-EU) an elections campaign on Sustainable Consumption and Production ahead of the EP elections in May this year. In order to support civil society organisations taking an active role in this campaign at national level, Fairtrade International has launched a call for proposals for small grants for Civil Society Organisations in Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. This takes places in the context of the “Trade Fair Live Fair” EU-funded project. All information can be found here. Deadline for applications is 22 February 2019, 16:00 CET. For questions on the sub-grant mechanism, contact Guzal Matniyazova (g.matniyazova@fairtrade.net). For questions on the EP elections campaign (welcome to join as partner or supporter!), let Sergi Corbalán (corbalan@fairtrade-advocacy.org) know.

Take part in our survey on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)!
2019-02-22
Since the adoption in 2015 of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and of the 17 SDGs, the 193 signatory countries are expected to report regularly on the implementation of this universal agenda, which covers all policies and requires the involvement of all stakeholders. Regional and local authorities are essential partners in this implementation process, not only because a large majority of SDGs (65% according to the OECD) directly involve/affect them, but also because many of them have already successfully engaged in localising SDGs.
With feedback from local and regional authorities on their work on SDGs, the European Committee of the Regions wants to showcase how you have implemented, or currently are implementing, SDGs. This information will be used to influence a future EU strategy on SDGs, to better advocate for a territorial approach in the European and national policy-making process and to boost actions of implementation. Your views on what should the EU do on SDGs, on the priorities the EU should have to act on SDGs will also feed in our opinion on a Sustainable Europe by 2030 to be elaborated during the course of 2019.
This survey will also contribute to the broader OECD Programme on A Territorial Approach to SDGs: A role for cities and regions to leave no one behind, which seeks to support cities and regions in fostering a territorial approach to the SDGs through:

measuring where they stand vis-à-vis the national average and their peers;
engaging a multi-level dialogue with their lower and upper levels of government to build consensus on who can do what; and
sharing best practice and lessons from international experience.

This survey is based on a previous survey carried out by the Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development (nrg4sd). The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is also a partner in the drafting of the survey. The European Committee of the Regions wishes to thank these partners for their excellent collaboration.
Start the Survey !

The survey is available in all EU languages; to select your preferred language, click on the drop-down menu on the right of the screen
The survey will be open until Friday 22 February 2019 midnight
All responses will be kept confidential
For more information, please contact econ-survey-cor@cor.europa.eu

Subscribe to the ECON mailing list to receive the survey results.

European Responsible Housing Awards 2019 - Submit your projects & join dozens of innovators across Europe
2019-02-15
Recently we have seen how changing demographic trends, a rise in inequality and populism, increasing consequences of climate change, concerns over structural safety, are changing the political, social, infrastructural and environmental landscapes, including housing. Housing and how (and, indeed, where) we live will be a decisive factor in the shaping of our future(s), and so remains fundamental. Our aim is that the exemplary and innovative ideas and best practices that are already happening on-the-ground and that will be showcased at the European Responsible Housing Awards 2019 will be a part of these conversations and developments | DEADLINE: 15 February 2019
More information: http://www.housingeurope.eu/resource-1204/european-responsible-housing-awards-2019

Apply for MESA grants!
2019-02-15
As part of the project Make Europe Sustainable for All, financial support is available to local level civil society groups campaigning on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
We welcome applications for local project proposals in 15 countries (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain) before the closing date of 15 February 2019.
Proposals coming from one of the mentioned countries could be eligible either for a smaller grant of up to €2000 (LOT 1, 3 projects will be selected in each of the project countries) or a grant of up to €7500 (LOT 2, 6 projects will be selected across the project countries).
The micro grants are meant to encourage creative activities and actions around the SDGs at the local, grass-roots level – from street actions to workshops, from stunts to educational activities, involving local citizens, young people and students, local groups, local policy-makers and many more.
Get a grant here!

Stakeholders E-consultation On the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under review at the 2019 High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF)
2019-02-08
Share your inputs on the SDGs under review at the 2019 HLPF!
Deadline: 8 February 2018
Background:
When adopting the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Member States decided to undertake thematic reviews of progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including cross-cutting issues.
Member States have also decided that the HLPF, under the auspices of ECOSOC, would discuss a set of SDGs and their interlinkages, including with other Goals, with a view to facilitating an in-depth review of progress made on all SDGs over the course of a four-year cycle, with means of implementation, including SDG 17, reviewed annually.
In 2019, the HLPF, meeting under the auspices of ECOSOC (9-18 July), will finalize the first cycle of thematic reviews with in-depth analysis of the following SDGs:

SDG 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
SDG 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
SDG 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
SDG 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts*
SDG 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
SDG 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

E-consultation:
Major groups and stakeholders are invited to participate in an E-consultation on the SDGs under review at the 2019 HLPF via the links below.
The E-Consultation will serve to improve stakeholders’ access to information and promote broad and participatory engagement on the follow up and review of the 2030 Agenda implementation. It will complement/feed into other on-going processes for the SDG-specific reviews, including Expert Group Meetings (EGMs) being organized by DESA/DSDG.
A limited number of questions are proposed for each SDG under review, and major groups and other stakeholders are invited to contribute concise and straightforward inputs. Inputs will be made publicly available[1].
A summary of main points identified through the e-consultations will be elaborated and disseminated by UNDESA/DSDG.
Submit your inputs by 8th February 2019 using the links below:
https://un.E-consultation/SDG4
https://un.E-consultation/SDG8
https://un.E-consultation/SDG10
https://un.E-consultation/SDG13
https://un.E-consultation/SDG16
https://un.E-consultation/SDG17
The review the responses received from the E-consultation, please use the links below.

SDG 4
https://un.E-consultation/SDG4-Responses

SDG 8
https://un.E-consultation/SDG8-Responses

SDG 10
https://un.E-consultation/SDG10-Responses

SDG 13
https://un.E-consultation/SDG13-Responses

SDG 16
https://un.E-consultation/SDG16-Responses

SDG 17
https://un.E-consultation/SDG17-Responses

For more information: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/hlpf/2019/econsultation

Event: Towards a Global Pact for the Environment - 6 February 2019, European Parliament, Brussels
2019-02-06 14:00 - 18:00

EU Crystal Ball campaign
2019-02-05 08:00 - 17:00
You can find here the EU Crystal Ball campaign which SDG Watch Europe also contributed to.

Global Report Launch: Progressing National SDGs Implementations
2019-01-30 09:00 - 10:30
Global Report Launch: Progressing National SDGs Implementations |
Lancement Rapport Mondial: Progression de la mise en œuvre des ODD au niveau national – 30.01.19
Register here for the global report launch – the 3rd edition of an independent assessment of the Voluntary National Review reports submitted to the United Nations High-level Political Forum in 2018
The event will be on 30 January 2019 – 9:00 – 10:30am EST | 14.00-15.30pm GMT

Getting ready for the UN Regional Forum on Sustainable Development – How civil society can best engage
2019-01-28 14:30 - 16:00
On 21 and 22 March 2019, governments from across the European Region will gather at the next UN Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (RFSD) in Geneva to discuss progress made towards achieving the SDGs. The RFSD is the region’s preparation to the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) held every year in New York in July. The Regional Forum will be aligned with the theme of the 2019 HLPF “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality”. This year, SDGs under review are 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 institutions).
How can civil society engage best at the Regional Forum, advocate for the ambitious implementation of the SDGs and make its diverse voices heard?
Our webinar will introduce you to the Forum and discuss the different channels available to civil society in order to step up our impact.
Agenda:

Welcome and introduction to the Regional Forum:

Patrizia Heidegger, Director Global Policies and Sustainability, European Environmental Bureau + SDG Watch Europe

Channels for civil society to engage at the Regional Forum and experiences of the last years

Hanna Gunnarsson, Gender Expert & Communications at WECF International

Question & answers
Exchange on how we can join forces and who is planning activities

Information about the RFSD
Here you can find the information on how to register and the agenda of the Regional Forum on sustainable Development.
Case studies: Governments and other stakeholders are encouraged to provide case studies from their
experience in SDG implementation. The case studies will be compiled in a document and shared with
participants in advance of the Forum. Selected case studies will be presented during the peer learning
segment at the Regional Forum. To contribute a case study, kindly fill in this form (submission deadline:
31 January 2019).
Side events: Governments and other stakeholders are kindly asked to submit their side event requests via
this form (submission deadline: 31 January 2019).
Booths at SDG fair: At the entrance area of the venue, a fair with booths will showcase the SDG-related
activities of different stakeholders. If you wish to request a booth, please submit this form (submission
deadline: 31 January 2019).

Please joint via:
Webinar on Regional Forum on Sustainable Development -DEAR
Mon, Jan 28, 2019 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM CET
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/512884093
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (646) 749-3129
Access Code: 512-884-093
More phone numbers
Australia: +61 2 9087 3604
Austria: +43 7 2081 5427
Belgium: +32 28 93 7018
Canada: +1 (647) 497-9391
Denmark: +45 32 72 03 82
Finland: +358 942 72 1060
France: +33 170 950 594
Germany: +49 692 5736 7317
Ireland: +353 16 572 651
Italy: +39 0 247 92 13 01
Netherlands: +31 207 941 377
New Zealand: +64 9 280 6302
Norway: +47 21 93 37 51
Spain: +34 932 75 2004
Sweden: +46 853 527 827
Switzerland: +41 225 4599 78
United Kingdom: +44 330 221 0088
First GoToMeeting? Let’s do a quick system check:
https://link.gotomeeting.com/system-check

WISH - Welcome, Inclusion and Support Hub for Refugees and Asylum-Seekers in Europe
2019-01-28
Submissions are still being collected for WISH, an online platform developed by European Volunteer Centre (CEV) in the frame of the European Solidarity Corps projects, where volunteer-based and/or volunteer-led initiatives that support the inclusion and integration of migrants and refugees will be geographically displayed, categorised depending on the kind of support they offer. Submit your initiatives here.

European CSO-Campaign Lab - The Europe We Want
2019-01-24
European CSO-Campaign Lab – The Europe We Want – 12-13 February 2019 (Brussels) – register by 24/01
Next month, SDG Watch Europe and a broad coalition of CSOs is organizing a campaign lab to come together to inspire one another and coordinate our campaigns around the European Elections and the future of Europe.
If you’d like to join, please register by Thursday, 24 January!
On 12-13 February 2019, we will gather civil society organizations from all over Europe for a joint campaign lab and strategy event in Brussels. We will exchange current & planned activities and campaigns by European and national NGOs for the EP elections, and how these can be strengthened. Plus we will explore and plan new joint initiatives to unite CSO networks from all sectors.
The two days of workshops/open conference will allow for free-flowing discussion to generate ideas how to accomplish this together, combining current and new plans.
The purpose of the campaign lab is to join forces of civil society across Europe for joint EP-election activities, and to share and strengthen existing plans.
Via thematic debates and workshops, NGOs will be able to to further expand on their ideas, and national/regional representatives will have the space to discuss together.
The agenda will also include looking ahead at post-election scenarios and how civil society can respond.

People’s Demands for Climate Justice
2018-12-16
Over the past few months, people’s movements around the world have shaped the People’s Demands for Climate Justice. This is a critical tool to hold governments’ feet to the fire and ensure the outcomes of COP24 actually lead to meaningful, just climate solutions. We need organizations around the world to join this call to ensure our collective voices are heard before COP24 in Poland, which is happening in just a couple of weeks.
Can your organization join by signing on to the People’s Demands?

You can read the full demands here and sign on (fields for endorsing at the bottom), and please let us know (snaficy@corporateaccountability.org) if you have any questions.
Please email your own membership and urge them to sign the People’s Demands as well by using this link: People’s Demands for Climate Justice.
And please help spread the word on social media: Twitter or Facebook and Linkedin. Sample posts are below.

More information on The People’s Demands:
Collectively shaped by people’s movements around the world, the People’s Demands lays out a vision for a truly just international climate policy. We must ensure the demands of people, not the fossil fuel industry and other Big Polluters, is what is centered in the lead up to and during COP24 in Poland.
These demands are an international statement rooted in southern movements and with input from numerous climate justice organizations and people’s movements around the world,. The convening organizations include:

Action Aid International
Asian People’s Movement on Debt and Development
Center for Biological Diversity
Climate Justice Alliance
Corporate Accountability
Corporate Europe Observatory
ETC Group
Focus on the Global South
Friends of the Earth International
Global Forest Coalition
Grassroots Global Justice Alliance
Indigenous Environmental Network
Movimiento Ciudadano frente al Cambio Climatico
Plataforma Boliviana frente al Cambio Climatico

Sample social language:
In just a few weeks, countries will decide on the Paris Agreement’s rulebook at #COP24. The #PeoplesDemands call for what we all need: real, just climate solutions. Add your name to the demands here: https://www.peoplesdemands.org #ClimateChange
Please sign the #PeoplesDemands for Climate Justice. #ClimateChange is an urgent crisis and this December at #COP24, governments will decide how to implement the Paris Agreement. Demand real, just climate solutions from 2018’s UNFCCC talks. https://www.peoplesdemands.org

First webinar for Major Groups and other Stakeholders (MGoS) in a series in preparation for the 2019 High-Level Political Forum: HLPF
2018-12-13 09:00 - 10:30
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs invites you to attend the first webinar for Major Groups and other Stakeholders (MGoS) in a series in preparation for the 2019 High-Level Political Forum: HLPF 101. Introduction to the High-Level Political Forum
for Major Groups and other Stakeholders.
This webinar is primarily aimed at Major Groups and other stakeholders who are new to the HLPF and would like to learn more and its function and opportunities for engagement, but also to those who would want to refresh their knowledge and understanding of the HLPF. It will cover topics including:

What is the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), and why is it important to the 2030 Agenda?
What is the structure of the HLPF?
Who can participate in the HLPF?
What are different ways to engage in the HLPF?
What are some of the major inputs that feed into the HLPF?
What is the outcome of the HLPF?
And more!

The HLPF 101 webinar will take place in English, Spanish and French on three different dates. Please register accordingly below:
ENGLISH: Thursday, 13 December 2018 from 9:00 – 10:30 EST please register here
FRANÇAIS: Lundi 17 décembre 2018 de 9h00 à 10h30 EST, veuillez-vous inscrire ici
ESPAÑOL: Martes, 18 de diciembre de 2018 de 9:00 a 10:30 hora del Este, regístrese aquí

Dianova International requests your participation in a short, yet very important survey called the Global Survey
2018-12-13
The Global Survey is focused on establishing the status on the understanding of sustainability and knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals amongst individuals and professionals; i.e. representatives of companies, politics, academia and civil society in all countries around the world. The aim is to prioritize relevant topics relating to the environment, social issues and the economy in the respective countries and to establish the urgency for action. Your participation in the survey will help stimulate and accelerate the process of change toward sustainable development worldwide!
The survey is brief and will only take 5-10 minutes to complete.
Thank you for your support and if possible, please share!
Link to Global Survey: https://yale.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bHqkMiwa7zrLnrT
Further information: www.globalsurvey-sdgs.com

Consumers' education for sustainable development
2018-12-06 09:00 - 11:00
LOCATION: SOLIDAR – Rue de Pascale, 4/6 – 1000 Brussels
Register by 3 December on this link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdmH9SC2zusSGRjIMK0Muj3tky_jZ09lRcl2-smbivTF9XghA/viewform

More info:
We are currently facing the alarming consequences of production and consumer choices. “The customer is always right” but individuals’ consumption choices are often overshadowed by limited understanding and knowledge, as well as lack of awareness of the important role they play in the digital and non-digital market.
Taking this impact into consideration commands us to grant a more prominent role to education in the acquisition and development of knowledge, skills, values and attitudes. What role can lifelong learning as education happening throughout life and “lifewide” (i.e. in formal, non-formal and informal education) play to foster citizens’ awareness of sustainability issues through their consumption habits and choices? What is the added value of e-learning and ICT platforms to encourage the transformation of behaviours in these regards?
This debate will seek to address these transversal topics by tackling the role of consumers’ education in today’s societies. The Consortium, leaded by Expertise France, and the European Commission have developed an ICT platform and training method to enable teachers to thoroughly address this topic in the classroom and help them educate young people for the life ahead of them. Consumers’ education is about preparing them for their role as actors in the economic system – creating a better and more sustainable society for all of us by educating the future adults and consumers. ‘Consumer Classroom’ provides a way for teachers to learn about consumer education themselves, and to pass this invaluable information onto their students through cross-curricular projects. Teachers need to be supported in their educational function to shape a new generation of “conscious consumers”.
During the debate we will learn from different perspectives and get to know innovative practices to reduce the gap between our ambitions and the actions that need to be taken, bearing in mind that a lifelong learning perspective to both educators and younger generations is paradigmatic to the success of the SDGs.
