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Description
The aim of the project is establishment of strategic partnerships and raising the involvement of citizens in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), supporting the awareness of global changes at local level.
The project activities are informative campaigns on SDGs, practical round tables, support for advocacy at national and international level. A special focus will be devoted to youth involvement developing specific and relevant actions. The project results will be published in annual report on SDGs implementation, that will be distributed also at international level. The project will be implemented in cooperation with more than 20 organizations and will serve as a ground for sustainable institutional and political model for SDGs implementation in Latvia. The main focus of the project is the citizen - agent of change in an organization, community, country and globally.
Summary of project results
Before the ACF project, several challenges and issues were identified that needed to be addressed:
- Fragmentation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) implementation: There was a lack of coordinated, sustained collaboration outside the coalition''s work, hindering effective implementation.
- Low capacity for advocacy: Particularly in the SDG field, where it was still underdeveloped in Latvia, the capacity for advocacy was limited.
- Lack of collaboration campaigns: There was a need for better information dissemination and a unified campaign to support SDGs.
- Limited capacity for global engagement: Effective participation on a global level was challenging due to the specialized knowledge and skills required.
Additionally, LAPAS had been conducting educational and informational activities for various target groups, such as museum, library, and educational institution representatives. However, the resources available for SDG-related work were limited, and much of the work was done sporadically, often relying on voluntary efforts or other project funding. Financial constraints prevented consistent, targeted work at the national level, which in turn hindered the development of a strategic approach to SDG implementation. Despite this, positive outcomes had been achieved through collaboration, including the creation of effective links between different sectors, such as the transfer of SDG practices from libraries to museums. LAPAS'' advocacy for SDGs had also gained recognition both nationally and internationally, and the need for more sustainable and coordinated efforts became increasingly clear. The ACF project aimed to address these issues by providing the necessary financial support to strengthen the coalition''s capacity and to engage in more effective, long-term SDG implementation.
- Campaigns on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A major SDGs campaign, titled "Target for Development," was launched, featuring 30 different activities across Latvia. These initiatives were carried out by LAPAS partners, including schools, museums, and libraries. The campaign provided resources such as detailed methodology, guidelines, visual and textual materials, and online lectures. Topics covered included social sustainability, refugee issues, students'' dependency on mobile phones, and the care for sustainable cities and communities. Over 33,000 people were reached through social media, with approximately 755 participants attending in-person events. Additionally, a youth-driven SDGs campaign, "Youth for Climate," was launched, where young people organized civil initiatives around climate change and the environmental crisis. The campaign included 20 initiatives in Latvia and 10 in Iceland, addressing issues such as migration, exploitation, and global inequalities caused by climate change. Social media outreach reached over 45,000 people, and around 650 participants attended events.
Round tables on SDGs issues. Several round tables were organized within the discussion cycle “Building Sustainability: Latvia and Iceland.” These included debates on topics such as social inclusion, SDGs integration in public and private sectors, and the role of youth in promoting democracy and sustainable development. The discussions gathered a wide range of participants, including experts and stakeholders from various sectors. The outcomes were widely disseminated through news bulletins and social media. As an example, one round table focused specifically on youth involvement in SDGs, and another discussed the resilience of rural communities to crises. These events created important policy insights.
Youth SDGs engagement. In February 2022, the RŪPnīca project began engaging 20 socially active young people. From March to November 2022, they participated in training and debates with experts, developing community initiatives under the theme of forests, explored through environmental, economic, and societal lenses. Meetings with an Icelandic partner were held, and a networking event between Latvian and Icelandic youth was rescheduled for August 2022. Key activities included: Latvian youth training on SDGs and social media communication, online networking event between Latvian and Icelandic youth on sustainability, Icelandic youth training on UN Global Goals in youth workYouth organized various civic activities for the “Youth for Climate” campaign, such as creating educational videos, designing sustainable youth spaces, and holding environmental competitions. They also collected 850 signatures for a petition advocating for stronger climate policies.In 2023, LAPAS continued involving youth in IAM-related activities, ensuring the sustainability of project outcomes and applying for new youth-focused grants.
SDGs Advocacy at national and international levels. LAPAS actively participated in SDG advocacy at both national and global levels. This involved working with various NGOs, presenting policy positions, and contributing to discussions around COVID-19 recovery and SDG implementation. LAPAS also collaborated on developing national reports on SDGs progress and engaged in high-level consultations with stakeholders. The advocacy activities included consultations with NGOs and youth organizations, as well as the creation of reports summarizing the implementation of SDGs in Latvia, which were distributed to decision-makers.
SDGs Report preparation. LAPAS prepared a report on the implementation of SDGs by NGOs, which included an analysis of current practices, a survey based on SDG scorecard methodology, and recommendations for improving community resilience and sustainability. This report, which involved consultations with relevant organizations, was disseminated to a broad audience, including government and international bodies. The report addressed various SDG themes, focusing on social sustainability, community resilience, and global partnerships for sustainable development.
Through these activities, LAPAS successfully raised awareness of SDGs, facilitated youth involvement, and contributed to national and global advocacy efforts. In total, the activities reached thousands of people, ranging from direct participants in events to those engaged through social media campaigns.
The project successfully achieved its main goal of building strategic partnerships and increasing public engagement in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering the belief in the ability to influence global processes locally. The key impacts included:
- The creation of an NGO and civil society monitoring system for ongoing evaluation of SDG progress and needs.
- Supporting local-level initiatives by fostering inter-sectoral projects and promoting community responsibility.
- Encouraging inter-sectoral collaboration for SDGs implementation, involving national and international stakeholders, and responding to national audit recommendations.
LAPAS was able to attract new funding, extending the project’s objectives beyond its initial timeline. In 2024, LAPAS expanded its involvement with members and partners, strengthening the monitoring of development cooperation policies and advocating for youth engagement at the local level.The project also provided significant contributions in the areas of community resilience and humanitarian aid, which became more prominent during the project’s implementation. Activities included informational campaigns, practical discussions, and advocacy for global and national representation. A special focus was placed on youth involvement, particularly in 2022, the European Year of Youth, which amplified the project''s relevance.
As a result of these efforts, LAPAS saw increased membership and greater visibility, particularly through social media and newsletters. Reports and evaluations from the project enhanced LAPAS'' advocacy work and will continue in future projects with additional funding. Decision-making processes involved 44 individuals, and the project’s emphasis on individuals as change leaders will continue through LAPAS'' upcoming global education projects. The initial plan was to collaborate with more than 20 organizations, but the project’s scope expanded due to emerging needs, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the humanitarian crisis following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The project also involved an Icelandic partner, Festa, ensuring the exchange of knowledge and enhanced collaboration for quality activities in both countries.
Summary of bilateral results
The project actively involved a partner from Iceland, FESTA, whose operational model is very similar, ensuring both knowledge transfer and collaboration for more effective implementation of activities in both countries. The partner was involved in planning and implementing collaborative activities, organizing regular meetings and electronic correspondence. In the specific activities involving Festa, the planned outcomes were achieved, as the expected experience was successfully transferred. FESTA contributed expert involvement in LAPAS discussions, but as the organization decided not to implement youth activities, it engaged the Icelandic Youth Council for the specific activities. This was a positive gain for the project, as the organization works directly with youth, ensuring a higher alignment of activities and the sustainability of the results.