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

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.

EESC Sustainable Development Strategies – from Design to Monitoring: Civil Society's Role - 30/11/2018, Brussels
2018-11-30 09:00 - 12:00
The EESC continues to advocate for integrating the SDGs fully and urgently into the European policy framework by setting out a vision for a sustainable Europe by 2030 and beyond. However, achieving sustainable development can only become a reality if all actors take collective action and pull in the same direction. New governance mechanisms are therefore needed to embed participation and engagement by civil society into the design and implementing processes.
The SDGs can be implemented both:

as top-down goals, with governments and institutions providing the driving force, and
as bottom-up initiatives by non-state actors and civil society.

As a representative voice for civil society at a European level, the EESC is ideally placed to support both.
During the event the EESC will:

explore civil society’s role in the Sustainable Development Strategies;
present several national strategies and processes involving civil society actors.

The event will also give particular attention to the monitoring of the progress on SDGs, both at the national and EU level by debating the SDG indicators and potential for their improvement.
A programme and the online registration form are available on our website. Registrations will close on 27 November 2018 at 18:00. Please note that places are limited. If you have registered but are no longer able to attend, please email the SDO team.

Facilitating Committee as a governing body of the UNECE RCEM
2018-11-30
We, CSOs from UNECE region, have started our work to strengthen our cooperation as one CSO platforms in UNECE region since 2016. In June 2018, a Concept Note and RCEM action plan for the Regional Civil Society Engagement Mechanism (RCEM) was approved after long discussions in the platform.
We are currently in the phase of setting up our Facilitating Committee as a governing body of the UNECE RCEM and are looking for 22 representatives – one representative from each of the thematic and sub-regional constituency groups. As members of the temporary task force to prepare for setting up governing body, we are therefore reaching out to you to nominate a member of your constituency from our region (deadline 30 November).
We recognize our own institutional challenges in selection/election process of our governing body – a facilitating committee. Some constituencies are ready to nominate because they have good regional coverage and governance process for nominating. Some constituencies are either not well involved in the RCEM and or have only few countries in their membership, and have not yet governance process for nominating. In order to provide space for CSOs from our wide region that are not engaged in SDG processes and UNECE RCEM and not to leave them behind we suggest a two-step process for this:

during coming month, identify and nominate constituency representatives – for established constituencies with wide coverage of our countries and with working governance process – deadline 30 November
during several months – mobilize and prepare not yet ready constituencies to send their nominations to the FC. For the new FC – to assist other constituencies in this process– for them to send their representatives – no deadline- so anytime when they have process they will join

Facilitating Committee:
1 representative (and alternate) from each constituency and sub-region
14 constituencies + 8 sub-regions= 22 members of the Facilitating Committee
Women, children and youth, indigenous peoples, NGOs, workers and trade Unions, scientific and technological community, small-scale food producers, persons with disability, diaspora/migrants, LGBTIQ, urban poor, older persons, small and medium enterprises, civil society FfD group in:

Baltic Sea
Black Sea
Caspian Sea
Caucasus
Central Asia
Eastern Europe
Mediterranean/South Eastern Europe
USA, Canada, Israel

The roles of the facilitating committee are formulated in the Concept.
What we need from you

A copy of your governance structure
You will follow your own governance structure and nominate a member of your constituency from our region to take on this role (deadline: 30 November)

Timeline

deadline for nominations – 30 November
announce facilitation committee – 10 December
26 October: finish draft invitation to constituency groups
29 October: send to constituency groups
30 November: deadline for constituency groups to send us their governance structure & name of regional representative
5-7 December: announce the facilitation committee
Dec-Feb: the facilitating committee must reach out to constituencies that are not yet recognised constituency groups (thematic and sub-regional), and facilitate their engagement as well as appointment
For the new FC – to assist other constituencies – for them to send their representatives – no deadline – anytime when they have process they will join

Please feel free to contact nurguldj@gmail.com if you have any queries regarding the process. The temporary facilitating committee will try and answer them as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Temporary task force preparing the setting up of a governing body of the UNECE RCEM

Progressive Caucus big event 27.11.2018 (17pm European Parl. ASP 1G2)
2018-11-27 17:00 - 19:00
Until tomorrow (23/11), you have a chance to register for Progressive Caucus’s big event on the 27th Nov. at 17.00 in the European Parliament (ASP 1G2).
*For external participation at our event, please send us by the 23rd of November 2018 your personal and contact information (name, surname, date of birth, nationality, type and number of ID document) at:progressivecaucusep@gmail.com
All of us will meet in front of the main entrance of the European Parliament (Esplanade) at 16.30. You will recognize us by the poster of the event, which we will be holding.
The event starts at 17.00, so make sure to be there please at 16.30 so as to proceed with your entrance to the building.
You can see here all info on our s/m
https://www.facebook.com/events/1797346297054587/
https://twitter.com/Pro_Caucus_EP/status/1064401283505885184
https://www.facebook.com/ProgressivecaucusEP/photos/a.433018907067354/712683235767585/?type=3&theater
http://www.progressivecaucus.eu/big-upcoming-event-european-integration-front-new-challenges/

Systemic Change or Technological Solutions? Climate change mitigation under the new CAP
2018-11-21 15:00 - 18:00
The EEB, together with BirdLife Europe would like to invite you to an event discussing Climate Change mitigation under the new CAP.
Agriculture is not just one of the first victims of Climate Change, but also the source of 10% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions. If we are seriously committed to halting global warming at 1.5 °C it is obvious that emissions from agriculture need to be reduced, while sinks should be increased.
The new CAP presents an opportunity to support sustainable climate mitigation measures.
This event will:

Bring together scientists to present the latest state of knowledge on different mitigation options
Feature an Oxford-style policy debate discussing the limits and opportunities presented by different approaches
Provide space for decision makers and stakeholders to exchange their views on the different mitigation options with respect to policy coherence as well as potential barriers preventing the utilization of the full mitigation potential of the agriculture sector

SAVE THE DATE: Join us on 21 November, 15:00 – 18:00 in Brussels
If you wish to receive further information about the event, including the final invitation you can leave your contact details here.
Please also forward this email to your relevant colleagues.

COP 14 on Biological Biodiversity
2018-11-17 08:00 - 2018-11-29 17:00
The UN Biodiversity Conference (14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity – COP 14) will be held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
https://www.cbd.int/conferences/2018

Call for Proposals: ORGANISATION OF EU GREEN WEEK 2019 - OFFICIAL OPENING EVENT
2018-10-31 17:00
Call for proposals
EU Green Week is the key event in the EU environment policy calendar. This annual opportunity to debate and discuss European environmental policy attracts policymakers, leading environmentalists, stakeholders and other interested parties from across Europe and the globe. In 2019, it will take place from 13 to 17 May 2019, focusing on the implementation of EU environmental legislation, highlighting the benefit of EU environmental policies and showing their benefits for citizens. To mobilise involvement and contribution from all sectors, in addition to the high level conference in Brussels organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment, a series of events organised by partner organisations from across Europe will feature officially in the Week’s programme. The official opening has a particular prominence and plays a special role in setting the tone for debates
Applications must be submitted using the form provided on the website. The deadline for submission is 31 October at 17:00 (Brussels time).

Islas Encendidas
2018-10-18 - 2018-10-21
Future in Common SDG Watch Spain is pleased to announce the “Islas Encendidas” meeting that will take place in Malaga 19-20-21 October (more information here). It will be great if you could join us in Malaga. We already have more than 300 people from different social sectors, organizations and social movements. It will be an incredible opportunity to share knowledge and learn how to work together to build a sustainable and just society.
In case you are unable to attend, you can also take part in two short online workshops:

1st connection: Saturday, October 20, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm (GTM + 2). In English.
2nd connection: Saturday, October 20, from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm (GTM + 2). In Spanish.

We want to listen and connect with other organizations and people who are working for a model that respects and defends human dignity and the planet. We want to knock down borders, the symbolic ones, those that separate us, those that cut lives.
If you are interested in participating, please write to info@quorumglobal.org by 15 October.
On 17 October, we will send you a link for the connection and the specific issues around which we will make the exchange.

European Week of Regions and Cities: Delivering Sustainable Development Goals at regional and local level
2018-10-09 13:30 - 15:00
October 9, 2018 from 14:30 to 16:00
In 2015, UN member states adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This event will explore what sustainable development means at regional and local levels. These levels are where decision makers have to balance different dimensions of sustainability, participatory, social, economic and environmental and make sustainable development a reality. We will debate with leading regions and cities on the added-value of their work on sustainable development, how they translated it on the ground and where to start when you want to “localize SDGs”. We will also discuss how to link these efforts with progress and support at international, EU and national level and what kind of governance we need to boost implementation.
Code: 9WS73
Format: Workshops
Moderator: Bert Kuby
Speakers: Arnoldas Abramavičius, Silvia Ganzerla, Stefano Marta, Natalia Vera, Bert Janssens, Angelika Poth-Mögele, Hans Sakkers, Enric Nomdedeu i Biosca, Annika Lindblom, Tina Delva
Thematic cluster: Territorial development (regional, urban, rural)
Organisers: European Committee of the Regions – ECON Commission , Eurocities , The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR)
Languages (To be confirmed): english (en), español (es), français (fr)
Venue: Building SQUARE – Brussels Convention Centre, Room Silver hall
Registration Deadline: 28/09/2018

ACT: Your voice on Europe’s long-term climate action
2018-10-08 - 2018-10-09
It is only a few weeks since Europe has suffered from another record breaking summer of heat waves and draughts, making climate change very real for millions of Europeans. With the Paris Agreement and the SDG’s the global community has put in place the framework to act jointly on climate change and combat its impacts. To succeed we need to act urgently but also make sure that our long-term plans means we are reaching climate neutrality for our societies.
To do so, the European Commission has published a public consultation on the 2050 long-term strategy https://ec.europa.eu/clima/consultations/strategy-long-term-eu-greenhouse-gas-emissions-reductions_en
The Commission is asking for citizens and civil society views on the future of climate ambition, but also the contribution of circular economy, agriculture and land-use. The deadline for responses is 9 October 2018 and it is important to get a strong response by civil society on the urgency to act now, and bring Europe’s ambition in line with the Paris Agreement. The EEB and partner organizations are compiling a draft response that can be provided to interested organizations. Contact via Roland.joebstl@eeb.org.

SDG Implementation in European Countries - Workshop for CSOs
2018-10-07 - 2018-10-08 | Vienna

UNECE Regional Meeting on ICPD+25 CIVIL SOCIETY CONSULTATION
2018-09-30 07:30 - 17:00
Partners for change: Civil society engagement in ICPD+25 in the UNECE region
Venue: Warwick Hotel
Rue de Lausanne 14
1201 Geneva
Switzerland
Sunday, 30 September 2018
08.30 – 18.00
A civil society consultation will be held on Sunday 30 September, the day before the ICPD+25 Conference for the UN Economic Commission for Europe Region, with support from UNFPA and UNECE.
Further information will be circulated shortly about the programme and registration.
URGENT INFORMATION: Registration for organizations in consultative status with ECOSOC for the UNECE Regional Conference Enabling Choices: Population Dynamics and Sustainable Development closes on 5 September 2018.
See: http://www.unece.org/pau/icpd25
See also: http://eeca.unfpa.org/en/events/enabling-choices-population-dynamics-and-sustainable-development

“Standards for the SDGs” event by UNECE
2018-09-25 - 2018-09-26
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe is pleased to invite you to the event on “Standards for the SDGs” to be held in Geneva on 26th September 2018. Organized as a side session to the 41st ISO General Assembly, this event will be convened at the Centre International de Conference Genève (CICG) in Geneva, Switzerland.
The objective of this event is to showcase the role of standards for the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and provide a platform for policymakers to exchange experiences and foster collaboration in this area.
The Standards for the SDGs event will include four parallel breakout sessions, in which policymakers will discuss practical approaches to sustainable development for standards users. These parallel sessions will be based on the presentation of case studies, as developed and submitted by policy makers.
For those interested in attending the Standards for the SDGs event, please register at the following page: http://go.iso.org/standardsforsdgs.
We encourage you to consider submitting a case study (case study template), in which the practical application of standards to the 2030 Agenda is exhibited. The case studies we receive will be appraised by UNECE and partners. Successful applicants will be given the opportunity to present their work, as a panelist, at the event. Travel and DSA will be provided by UNECE for applicants selected to present at the event. Please see the Information Notice and event flyer for more details.
Further, we are pleased to inform you that the 26th Annual Session of the Working Party on Regulatory Cooperation and Standardization Policies (WP.6) will be held at Palais des Nation, Geneva, beginning 14th November 2018 and concluding at 6 p.m. on 16th November 2018.
The Session will follow on from the “Standards for the SDGs” event and will also discuss, and possibly adopt, two proposed recommendations on: “Standards and Regulations for Sustainable Development”; and on “Gender-Responsive Standards”.
More information on both events is available on our website.

SDG anniversary
2018-09-24 - 2018-09-25
3 years since the adoption of the SDGs – a day of global action around the SDGs

European Parliament debates on postgrowth and the SDGs
2018-09-18 07:00 - 2018-09-19 16:00
The science behind the case for postgrowth or degrowth has grown rapidly in the past decade. Members of the European Parliament from 6 political groups will now use this science to challenge European Policymakers at a major postgrowth conference on 18 and 19 September. The EEB is one of the co-organisers and the driving forcé behind two session: on Beyond GDP Growth and on Trade vs Climate.
The European Commission was co-host of the Beyond GDP conference in 2007, and produced the EU Road Map “GDP and beyond: Measuring progress in a changing world” (2009). What happened to it? What are better benchmarks than GDP and who should measure what matters? Host MEP Helmut Scholz invited co-founder of SDG-Watch Leida Rijnhout, author Christian Felber, Greek Minister for Labour Efi Achtsióglou, Patrick ten Brink, Director of EU Policy at the EEB and Joost Koorte, Director General of DG EMPL at the European Commission.
The Trade vs Climate session comes in the context of a warning cry to humanity by 20.000 scientists said that the Earth’s biosphere is on the brink of collapse. There is both an environmental and a social necessity to move beyond ever growing global trade flows that fuel both overextraction and overconsumption. If Trump starts a trade war with Europe, why not retaliate with trade tariffs based on the carbon intensity of US exports? Host MEP Kathleen van Brempt invited former UN rapporteur Olivier de Schutter, expert Fritz Hinterberger, Patrizia Heidegger, Director of Global Policies at the EEB and someone from the cabinet of Cecilia Malmström, DG TRADE at the European Commission (name to be confirmed)
You may still be able to join the conference. Registration is compulsory.
If it’s full, follow the debates at the webstream and ask questions here (code: #D387)
#PostGrowth2018

The Joint Synthesis Report – stakeholder consultation
2018-09-16 - 2018-09-17
In the European Consensus on Development, the EU and Member States committed to produce a joint synthesis report on the Consensus on Development including the impact of their actions in support of the 2030 Agenda in developing countries, as a contribution to EU reporting to the UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF), when meeting at Head-of-State level every four years.
The EU and its Member States plan to produce the Joint Synthesis Report (JSR) by Spring 2019. It is intended to summarise EU progress in supporting partner countries in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. It needs to reflect both the Agenda 2030 with its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as the universally recognised framework for action, and the European Consensus on Development, which provides the framework for a common approach to development policy for the EU and Member States. The JSR should be concise and informative. It will be based on information from existing reports and, in addition, on views and experiences from EU institutions, Member States and relevant stakeholders. This short questionnaire aims to seek your views on the EU and Member States’ actions and policies to help inform the report.
The Commission would like to receive your opinion about how well the EU is supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs in its partner countries, in line with the European Consensus on Development.
The Commission is particularly interested in your experience with the EU’s and Member States’ cooperation with partner countries, including on policies and strategies, projects and programmes funded by the EU and its Member States.
Please illustrate your replies with concrete examples, adding as much information as possible on the projects, including on funding source, partners, etc. You may add documentation or refer to online documentation.
You may consult your member organizations, but please submit only one document and keep to the maximum space provided for each question.
Questions

The European Consensus on Development aims to foster stronger, more inclusive multi-stakeholder partnerships. How would you assess the success of the EU and Member States’ cooperation with relevant stakeholders in contributing to the achievement of the SDGs through development cooperation? (max. 0.5 page)
What are your general views on how the EU and its Member States approach the 2030 Agenda as a whole in their development cooperation? Are SDGs sufficiently addressed? Are there important gaps? (max. 0.5 page)
Based on your experience, can you briefly describe up to three development projects or programmes funded by the EU and/or its Member States which you see as positive examples of how the SDGs are put into practice, and explain why they are successful, also indicating which SDG(s) are being addressed by the projects? (max. 1.5 page)
Could you highlight some areas for improvement for development projects and programmes financed by the EU and/or its Member States in terms of how they support the achievement of the SDGs in partner countries? (max. 0.5 page)
One of the objectives of the European Consensus on Development is to support the achievement of the SDGs by partner countries through an enhanced commitment to Policy Coherence for Development as an important contribution to the broader objective of Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development (PCSD). Do you believe the EU and its Member States have taken this approach into consideration in recent years and could you give some concrete examples (positive and negative)? (max. 1 page)
The European Consensus on Development underlines the need to address the interlinkages between the different SDGs through integrated actions that can create co-benefits and meet multiple objectives in a coherent way, as well as address trade-offs effectively. Do you have examples of how the EU and its Member States have been able to address such interlinkages in their development policy? (max. 1 page).
Do you have any other suggestions for content or key messages in the Joint Synthesis Report? (max 0.5 page)

Please send responses by September 17th to: DEVCO-consensus@ec.europa.eu mentioning the name of your organization and a contact person.
In case you have questions, please e-mail karen.del-biondo@ec.europa.eu.

Call for your inputs - mapping youth organisations contributions in the 2030 Agenda By European Youth Forum
2018-09-15 - 2018-09-16
Are you from a youth organisation and working on the SDGs? Help us collect best practices, map your projects & actions and together we can show the world how youth organisations are contributing to the 2030 Agenda and how young people are making a better future today.
Let us know what your organisation has been doing!
Deadline: 16 September 2018
Want to find out more about what we will do with this research? We’ve got all the details here. Still curious or interested to help? Do not hesitate to contact Youth Forum Policy Officer, Jan at jan.mayrhofer@youthforum.org or our external researcher, Claire at claire-gillette@orange.fr.

International dialogue on policy coherence for sustainable development
2018-09-13 - 2018-09-14
14 September 2018 in Brussels (Cercle de Lorraine, Place Poelaert 6)
The European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM), the Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE, German Development Institute) and Southern Voice hereby have the pleasure to invite you to an international dialogue on policy coherence for sustainable development. It will take place on 14 September 2018 in Brussels (Cercle de Lorraine, Place Poelaert 6).
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me and Fabien Tondel (ft@ecdpm.org). For questions about logistical matters, please contact Ghita Salvino (gs@ecdpm.org) and Tilly Bogataj-De Coninck (tc@ecdpm.org).

European Sustainability Award
2018-09-13 - 2018-09-14
The European Commission has launched the first ever European Sustainability Award to recognize the efforts and creativity of European people, businesses and organisations who work towards reaching the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The press announcement can be read here.
Applications can be submitted until 14 September 2018 via the following website.
The award has been developed in the framework of the Multi-Stakeholder Platform on Sustainable Development in which the SDG Watch Europe is a member.

New Webinar! Sustainable Development Goals in the UN Regions: The engagement of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities
2018-09-11 15:00 - 16:00
Tuesday, 11 September 2018
16:00 – 17:00, Belgium time
Everyone is encouraged to register!
The European Disability Forum (EDF) is delighted to announce its new webinar on Tuesday, 11 September on the Sustainable Development Goals.
Speaker and content:
Orsolya Bartha, Senior Advisor at International Disability Alliance, will be the speaker. Orsolya will provide an overview of the Sustainable Development Goals at the regional level. She will discuss which regional bodies are involved, what they do and when they meet. She will also talk about how civil society is organized and what kind of outcomes can be expected from the regional platforms.
The objective of this webinar is to stimulate the engagement of organisations of persons with disabilities and the disability movement in the five regions of the world supporting regional sustainable development, as identified by the United Nations (UN). These UN regions are the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLAC), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA).
Context:
This webinar is the first of a series of webinars aiming to discuss the regional coordination mechanisms for persons with disabilities and their participation at the Regional Sustainable Development Forums. The webinars is part of the International Disability (IDA) and Department for International Development (DFID) Catalyst programme. For more information about the programme, click on the following link: EDF link to EDF Catalyst Programme.
Audience
EDF invites organisations of persons with disabilities (DPOs/OPDs) as well as the disability movement, other stakeholders and members of the public interested by this topic to join us.
Accessibility
The webinar will provide International Sign language interpretation and real-time captioning. The webinar will be recorded and shared later for those who cannot join.
Registration:
Click here to register for this webinar https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6067417816620630529 If you have any questions, please email Deirdre McBride, EDF Assistant for this project: deirdre.mcbride@edf-feph.org

Conference: "Change the European economic model, for the many: Towards a partnership for the SDGs in Europe"
2018-09-05 14:00 - 17:30
This conference will take place on 5 September from 15:00 to 18:30 in the European Parliament, Altiero Spinelli Building room A3G3. A sandwich buffet will be served from 18:30.
The purpose of the conference is to explore and share ideas and best practices among policymakers, civil society and business stakeholders on new approaches to governance for sustainable development across the European Union. It is based on the conviction that without a radical change in Europe’s governance process currently framed within the European Semester, the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the necessary transformation of Europe’s economy and society towards economic, social and environmental sustainability will remain out of reach.
If you wish to attend, please contact: s-d.progressivesociety@europarl.europa.eu
