The project aims to advance the inclusive localization of the Sustainable Development Goals in selected African, Asia-Pacific, and the Arab countries in transition by harnessing the potential of Voluntary Local Reviews.
- Strengthen capacities of Local and Regional Governments to develop Voluntary Local Reviews by connecting them to global and regional advocacy, learning and capacity building activities and resources.
- Enhanced multilevel coordination between cities, national governments, regional and international process on SDG implementation.
How will this be achieved? The project outcomes will be achieved by focusing on 4 main components of work: technical cooperation, learning and capacity building, multilevel governance and regional and global advocacy.
2-day project initiation in Surigao City, Philippines
23-24th April 2024- The event brought together city stakeholders including representatives from the city departments/offices, faith-based organizations, Barangay officials, the Sama-Bajau community, Community and Family Services International, and the national government
Launch of VLR of Ennour!
19th April, 2024- The VLR of Ennour, Kasserine in Tunisia has been completed and launched! Making it the first VLR to be completed in the project.
National-level sharing event on VLR methodology In Chandragiri
15th March, 2024- a national-level training event on VLR methodology was conducted with around 60 participants representing federal and local government bodies, development agencies, academia, experts, professional societies, and UN agencies, all contributing to the VLR process.
2nd Stakeholder Forum in Nakuru City
28th March, 2024- The second stakeholder forum saw an incredible turn out of 78 stakeholders! The stakeholders split into groups based on the SDGs most relevant to their work and lives and input on the VLR, providing information on missing initiatives and validating data.
VLR-VNR Studio in Irbid, Jordan
7th and 8th February, 2024- A two-day workshop launched the multistakeholder dialogue for the Development of the VLR of Irbid City. Day 2 features a VLR-VNR studio a platform for building the capacities of national and local governments on the VLR process and its potential alignment with national reporting processes.
First Stakeholder Forum in Nakuru City
20th December 2023 - Stakeholders in the VLR of Nakuru City from multiple levels and sectors gathered to review the draft VLR. Over 40 stakeholders joined the forum!
Improved Local and National Government Capacities for Localizing SDGs through VLRs in Ghana
November 12-16, 2023- UN-Habitat attended and supported a UNDESA, and NDPC jointly conducted a workshop on SDG localization and VLRs in Ghana. The mission aimed to advance the project, discuss Ghana's National VLR Guidelines, and underscore the importance of VLRs for developing VNRs
VLR Workshop in Udon Thani City, Thailand
16th- 17th October 2023- The implementing partners and Udon Thani City met and signed a commitment to the project. The workshop saw the participation of over 130 stakeholders who contributed to shaping the VLR process.
Tools & Methodologies Training in Asia Pacific
28 September, 2023- UN-Habitat organized an online workshop to train participants from the Asia-Pacific pilot cities and countries of the project on the data collection process and tools in the development of VLRs.
Project inception meeting in Chandragiri Municipality, Nepal
25 September 2023, Kathmandu- the inception meeting set a base for kickstarting collaboration between UN-Habitat and Chandragiri municipality for SDG localization in Nepal.
The VLR Task Force Meeting in Nakuru
14th September, 2023- The VLR Task Force in Nakuru (the pilot city of the project in Kenya) held an inaugural workshop to orient the members on the VLR process, share preliminary VLR data, and build consensus on the terms of reference for the Task Force.
Tools & Methodologies Workshop in the Arab States
12th September, 2023- UN-Habitat and UNESCWA organized a online workshop to train participants from the Arab States pilot cities and countries of the project on the data collection process and tools in the development of VLRs.
Project Inception Meeting in Lebanon
15th March 2023- This event was a space for local efforts on implementing the SDGs to be shared and the project activities to be kicked off.
Meeting with the local government of Nakuru to introduce the project
28th February 2023- The team met with the local government officials in Nakuru to lay out the project plan and establish the focal points in the local and county government. The meeting discussed the way forward for developing the VLR of Nakuru City.
VLR-VNR Workshop at the ARFSD
27th February, 2023- The workshop took place under the framework of the 9th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development and focused on strengthening Integration and Reporting on the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.