The establishment of the working group follows a roundtable discussion hosted by NICVA and NI Environment Link in April 2019 and growing concern about the lack of integration and coordination on the implementation of the SDGs in Northern Ireland. The discussion assessed the current state of play in NI and explored how organisations are aligning their work with the SDGs.
While our survey showed that 51% of NICVA members are aware of the Goals (NICVA,UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Awareness Survey 2019) roundtable participants felt that the sector has and important advocacy and awareness raising role to help deepen understanding of the Goals and ways in which the voluntary and community sector and government can better implement the Goals.
The working group has come with a Key Ask to shape the future Northern Ireland Programme for Government and these will be officially launched at an event in May 2020.
The working group is made up of 16 organisations from the voluntary and community sector including:
- NICVA
- Nothern Ireland Environment Link
- East Belfast Community Development Ageny
- North West Community Network
- North Belfast Seniors
- National Energy Action
- Employers for Childcare
- Groundwork NI
- Repair Cafe Belfast
- Derry Healthy Cities
- Belfast Healthy Cities
- Sustainable NI
- Prospect Awards NI
- Princes Trust NI
- NI Women's European Platform
- GEMS NI
If you want to find out more about how you can get involved in the Sustainable Development Goals working group and sign up to the Ask, please get in touch with [email protected].