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A Year of Impact and Progress: Reflecting on the First Year of SDSN Portugal

By Maria Joao Rauch, Manager, SDSN Portugal

SDSN Portugal recently celebrated its first year of operation. This milestone provided the National Network an opportunity to reflect on its efforts to mobilize academia, policymakers, and civil society toward advancing the SDGs in Portugal and beyond.

Activities & Achievements

Launched in November 2023, SDSN Portugal began by establishing a strong foundation. The Network formed an Advisory Board, comprising 28 representatives from academia, the private sector, public institutions, and civil society; and it mobilized 25 institutional members. These efforts laid the groundwork for collaborative action and engagement.

In June 2024, SDSN Portugal co-organized the “Paving the Way to the Pact for the Future” conference. This event brought together over 700 participants from 93 countries to discuss education reform, youth engagement, and redefining progress beyond GDP, among other themes. The conference fostered dialogues and actionable proposals, further solidifying Portugal’s role in global SDG discussions. Explore key takeaways from the conference.

In addition, SDSN Portugal has hosted and participated in several other high-profile events, including a seminar in Porto on practical approaches to achieving SDG targets; a roundtable in Lisbon addressing democratic challenges related to sustainable development; The Planetiers World Gathering in Aveiro, which convened sustainability leaders and innovators; and showcased its UNIMUNICIPIOS project at Columbia University.

SDSN Portugal also prioritized youth engagement by organizing thematic reflection groups, which produced policy recommendations on education transformation and metrics beyond GDP. It also hosted an event as part of the Our Wide and Safe Space webinar series, organized by SDSN Europe, to mobilize youth ahead of the 2024 European elections and encourage active participation among young people.

SDSN Portugal has also played an active role in identifying areas of collaboration with the Portuguese Government, particularly with the Centre for Planning and Evaluation of Public Policies (PLANAPP). The Network collaborated with PLANAPP on the national ROADMAP 2030 and has additional joint activities scheduled.

Internationally, SDSN Portugal has engaged in several global initiatives to strengthen its impact:

  • Initiated discussions with universities in Mozambique, Angola, and São Tomé and Príncipe to form a regional network of PALOP countries.
  • Partnered with the SDSN’s FABLE Consortium to engage Portuguese researchers in addressing global challenges like food systems and biodiversity.
  • Collaborated with SDSN Spain to promote SDG localization and university-municipality cooperation.
  • Participated in UN Action Days in New York to discuss youth empowerment and the Pact for the Future.

The network has also actively contributed to internal SDSN activities by participating in meetings such as the 2024 University Presidents Meeting, the Network Managers' Workshop, and the Vatican workshop on financial reforms and peace-building.

Looking Ahead

SDSN Portugal’s first year was marked by impactful collaborations, strategic partnerships, and meaningful policy discussions. As it looks toward 2025, the network remains committed to driving sustainable transformation at local and global levels. The contributions of partners and members have been instrumental in these successes, setting a strong foundation for continued progress.

For updates on future initiatives, follow SDSN Portugal on LinkedIn.