“How to incorporate the SDGs into the work of civil society organizations? Practical experience of European community foundations addressing the SDGs”

The second GCLS Webinar took place on 2nd June, it was created by the GCLS Team in collaboration with our former Grantees who presented their projects and carried out further discussion. We had the opportunity to hear about an environmental project carried out by Nadácia Revia, as well as a project on women’s rights organized by Fundusz Lokalny Masywu Śnieżnika. We have also found out about equal rights projects carried out in Pécsi Közösségi Alapítvány, and the youth work program in Romania conducted by Fundația Comunitară Țara Făgărașului. The aim of this webinar was to exchange good practices and challenges in incorporating the SDGs in the CFs’ activities – shared by their representatives.

During our discussion we have raised important points related to obstacles while trying to implement the SDG Agenda on the local level. Some of the Community Foundations’ representatives observe the lack of political will and engagement on the side of local authorities, whose active participation is often crucial in making the real change happen. One of the solutions and good practice suggested by another participant is to try networking and collaborating with other local or regional organizations in order to have more leverage, as well as resources to reach planned targets.

Another interesting issue that we have touched upon was the use of SDG targets and indicators in planning, managing and analysing the project cycle. Participants mentioned the fact that there is still lack of awareness and knowledge of the SDG framework, and there is still a lot of work ahead of civil society organizations in this field. Nevertheless, it is also important to highlight the usefulness of incorporating the SDG targets and indicators, as tools to improve the work of civil society organizations in implementing SDG-related projects.

We believe that there is still room for further discussion on the issues related to the practical side of SDG implementation process, as well as many other SDG-related topics. That is why we would like to continue with GCLS Webinars – in order to provide this platform of discussion for all interested European civil society organizations.

We are already planning another event to happen in the course of next few weeks, so stay tuned!

How to incorporate the SDGs into the work of civil society organizations? Practical experience of European community foundations addressing the SDGs