193 countries signed on to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. In 2016, 167 countries ratified the New Urban Agenda (NUA) – a roadmap for sustainable urban development. The LOCAL PROJECT CHALLENGE is part of Accelerating the SDGs, a project is to increase awareness of the SDGs and the NUA. In April 2019, we issued a call for Local Projects that engaged with the SDGs. We wanted to hear from people from all walks of life: in education, the professions and civil society.
This online gallery features projects from 39 countries. In total there are 110 Stage 1 projects. Photos, drawings, videos, and websites tell the project stories. All speak to improving people’s lives and the environment. All considered the SDGs. Contact details are available on each project.
Stage 1 entrants were invited to continue to Stage 2 and develop their projects to “more fully demonstrate how the SDGs and targets (and if relevant the New Urban Agenda) have been considered and /or implemented.”
46 projects were received. Stage 2 projects are exhibition ready and can be downloaded and printed if you wish to use the material in your own community. We encourage you to ‘mix and match’ projects, create your own low-cost exhibition – and program it with local events. Let us know if you are planning an exhibition.
The LOCAL PROJECT CHALLENGE website was launched by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on November 13, 2019, at the Urban Thinkers Campus, Columbia University.
“I encourage you to share this important gallery with colleagues, fellow students, friends and family. I encourage everyone to ask how the SDGs can be incorporated in our daily lives. Their widespread adoption will help realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and create a more equal and livable future. To all who have taken this first step by submitting their projects to create this extraordinary resource, my warmest congratulations.”
UN SG Ban Ki-Moon
We hope this knowledge sharing, network building resource inspires you to work with the SDGs. If you would like to get involved or learn more, send us a message.
Anna Rubbo
Accelerating the SDGs
