About SDG LENS
SDG LENS. Monitoring Sustainable Development in Eastern Europe & South Caucasus provides civil society from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine with the knowledge and tools to act for the SDGs at the local, national and global levels. These countries face particular challenges: shrinking civic spaces and violation of human rights, lack of interest on the part of governments in implementing the SDGs and cooperating with civil society, active warfare as well as frozen conflicts and their consequences for people and the environment. However, the biggest challenge in Eastern Europe is the Russian aggression against Ukraine, which has resulted in civilian casualties, forced migration and displacement, the demolition of infrastructure and entire cities, the destruction of agricultural land and environmental pollution. The effects of the war are felt throughout the region, but also globally. Both the war and other particular challenges not only contradict the peaceful and just objectives of the 2030 Agenda, but also prevent civil society from fulfilling its role in achieving the SDGs.
SDG LENS will enable civic actors to document the impacts of war across Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus, advocate for peace and compliance with international law, and develop strategies and recommendations for a just and sustainable future after the war.
SDG LENS will strengthen civil society with workshops, consultations, international meetings as well as expert support.
Why SDG LENS?
In 2015, the Member States of the United Nations unanimously adopted the 2030 Agenda with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to make global development ecologically, economically and socially sustainable. The engagement of civil society is crucial for achieving the SDGs. NGOs, grassroot initiatives, research institutes, civic actors and experts speak out for marginalised groups, raise awareness and take action for SDGs. They also act as watchdogs, monitoring sustainable development and holding governments accountable to their commitments.
SDG LENS. Monitoring Sustainable Development in Eastern Europe & South Caucasus will provide civil society from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine with the knowledge and tools to act for the SDGs at the local, national and global levels. These countries face particular challenges: shrinking civic spaces and violation of human rights, lack of interest on the part of governments in implementing the SDGs and cooperating with civil society, active warfare as well as frozen conflicts and their consequences for people and the environment. However, the biggest challenge in Eastern Europe is the Russian aggression against Ukraine, which has resulted in civilian casualties, forced migration and displacement, the demolition of infrastructure and entire cities, the destruction of agricultural land and environmental pollution. The effects of the war are felt throughout the region, but also globally. Both the war and other particular challenges not only contradict the peaceful and just objectives of the 2030 Agenda, but also prevent civil society from fulfilling its role in achieving the SDGs.
SDG LENS will enable civic actors to document the impacts of war across Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus, advocate for peace and compliance with international law, and develop strategies and recommendations for a just and sustainable future after the war.
The program focuses on:
Networking & Awareness Raising
Providing a platform for civil society to connect at local, national and global levels and supporting local actions and awareness raising campaigns.
Monitoring & Reporting
Enabling civic actors to monitor governments’ activities to implement the 2030 Agenda and supporting independent reporting on selected SDGs as well as full shadow reports. See previously published reports here.
National & Global Advocacy
Increasing civil society’s capacity to advocate the 2030 Agenda, both nationally and globally, by using independent reports and becoming active in UN mechanisms.
What will the program include?
- Workshops, consultations and trainings on monitoring, reporting and advocacy for SDGs
- Support and publication of Shadow Reports and independent SDG analyses
- Seminars and autumn schools in Georgia and Moldova
Who can become part of SDG LENS?
SDG LENS. Monitoring Sustainable Development in Eastern Europe & South Caucasus is aimed at civil society actors who are committed to strengthen their work on sustainable development, build strong alliances and develop powerful tools to advocate for the 2030 Agenda on local, national and global level. Join SDG LENS and get involved in different ways:
- as our partners, building local networks for the SDGs
- as experts, researchers and advocates of the 2030 Agenda
- as participants of capacity-building measures and exchanges
- as organisers of your own local actions and campaigns for the Goals
We are looking for new partnerships with NGOs and grassroot initiatives, educational and research institutions, experts and young professionals. Please contact us directly: info@sdg-lens.org
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SDG LENS. Monitoring Sustainable Development in Eastern Europe & South Caucasus is a capacity-building program for civic actors, representatives of NGOs and grassroots initiatives, researchers and experts from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.