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, 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 and 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 through workshops, consultations, international meetings, and expert support.
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, and complete shadow reports.
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.
