Monday, 19 February 2024

Call for organisations and groups to be Sustainable Development Goal Champions

The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is now seeking Expressions of Interest for participants in the 2024-25 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Champions Programme.

As part of the 2024-2025 programme, a number of organisations and groups from across the country will be appointed ‘SDG Champions’ to help raise awareness of the importance of the SDGs as the cornerstone of a fair, prosperous and sustainable future for all. As Champions, they will show through their own actions that everyone in society can make a contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The SDGs, also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people could enjoy peace and prosperity. There are 17 SDGs, covering areas such as poverty, shelter, education, health gender equality and clean energy. They are all integrated, recognising that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must be mindful of social, economic and environmental sustainability.

Already, 34 organisations and groups, large and small, have become SDG Champions, including for example Musgrave, The GAA, ECO-UNESCO, University of Galway, Ballyhoura Development, and Chambers Ireland. Last year, over 80 organisations applied to take part in the programme, from which 26 were chosen as champions, demonstrating the commitment of Irish society to help ensure that we achieve the SDGs.

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan said:

“I am delighted to launch this year’s SDG Champions Programme. The SDGs are really the building blocks to a better quality of life and future for all, both here in Ireland and across the world. They impact on every aspect of our lives, from our homes to our schools and from our work and livelihoods to the environment around us. They are intrinsically linked to climate justice. We have to ensure that everyone, everywhere is not just involved in, but benefits and prospers as we take action to address the challenge of climate change.

“The SDG Champions Programme allows a diverse range of organisations in Ireland to showcase the work they are doing to achieve the SDGs and to share their experiences and achievements locally and nationally. I really want to encourage all groups and organisations to apply to be part of this year’s programme, to learn, to inform and to help make a difference in your own community.”

Applications are sought from all organisations and groups who would like to act as an advocate for the SDGs and a good practice example of how to promote and achieve the goals. Applications will be accepted in written or video format up to 5:00pm on Monday, 1 April, 2024.

For further information on the SDG Champions Programme, and how to apply, please go to gov – Expressions of Interest sought for participants of the 2024-2025 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Champions Programme (www.gov.ie).

ENDS