The implementation of SDGs on the regional level are a major step toward sustainable development and objective of numerous policy programmes of the EU, to its member states and individual provinces and regions. Additionally, supranational organisations like the UN or the UNESCO commit their member states to the implementation of SDGs. Large-scale protected areas as model regions for sustainable development are expected to be at the forefront of the implementation of SDGs. The SDGimp project aims at developing decision making capacities and promotes the implementation of SDGs by providing high quality learning system and decision support materials for regional stakeholder and entrepreneurs. The direct target groups are (a) regional stakeholder, e.g. from large-scale protected areas, municipal administrations, regional development initiatives like LEADER LAG, sustainability initiatives and alike (b) individual entrepreneurs like farmers, crafts and business sector, service providers in the tourism sector or catering trade. Provided online the content is easy accessibility and a simple to apply. In total 7 organisations from 5 different EU countries (DE, ES, LT, PL and RO) form the SDGimp consortium. It facilitates the collaboration of organisations from new and old European Member States. The comprehensive partnership bridges the gap between science and practice as it represents research and consulting organisation (Institut für Ländliche Strukturforschung – IfLS, Panstwowa Wyzsza Szkola Informatyki I Przedsiebiorczosci w Lomzy - PWSIP), adult education organisations (Biosphären-Volkshochschule – BVHS and Community for Lifelong Learning - CPIP), a LEADER Local Action Group (Asociacion para el Desarrollo Rural del Litoral de la Janda - GDR), the European umbrella organisation for protected areas (Europarc Federation – EPF) and an institute of ICT and education technologies (Baltijos edukaciniu technologiju institutas - BETI). Furthermore, large-scale protected areas will participate as associated partners. Their role is to support the project partners and contribute to testing and applying the SDGimp outputs as well as to contributing to the dissemination activities of the SDGimp project. To achieve the objectives of the project two Intellectual Outputs will be developed, tested and used in close collaboration with five associated partners as well as multiplied to relevant stakeholder groups. The ‘Learning Platform for the Implementation of SDGs’ (O1): Main results produced within O1 are a learning platform about the SDGs and challenges regarding their implementation. The second intellectual output ‘Decision support material for the implementation of SDGs’ (O2) provides members of municipal administrations, of administrations of large-scale protected areas, regional development initiatives, land users and other entrepreneurs with decision support material. It will consists of tools and instructions on how include SDGs into professional decision making processes. All outputs produced will be freely accessible for the public within and beyond the project’s lifetime. The project will increase the capacity of regional decision makers regarding the implementation of SDGs. It will enable them to successfully develop innovative strategies for considering impacts on SDGs in their professional decision making processes. Overall, the project will support the implementation of SDGs on the regional level. Thus, it will contribute to the sustainable development of regions, social and environmental justice as well as the implementation of European and international agreements.
The project pursued five objectives: I. To build a strong SDG.imp project partnership of 7 participating organisations and 5 associated partners across 5 countries and with an outreach to all European countries to foster the implementation of the SDGs. II. To build a learning platform (OER) for the implementation of SDGs. III. To provide decision support materials, which are tailored to the needs of regional decision makers. IV. To introduce SDGs to individuals and institutions relevant to sustainability, regional development and protected areas. The transnational implementation of SDG.imp caters the need of all UN member states, all EU member states but especially the participating countries to implement the above-mentioned programs and the SDGs on the local level. The transnational consortium works in 5 partner regions in 5 EU countries and reaches relevant stakeholders on the EU-level.
The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides a common framework for a sustainable development for people and the planet. It defines 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDG.imp project addresses the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in protected areas. Thus it addresses objectives of the EU to contribute to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as declared in ‘The New European Consensus on Development “Our World, Our Dignity, Our Future”’ and follows the EC’s “Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, The Council, The European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – Next steps for a sustainable European future. European action for sustainability” as well as the EU Sustainable Development Strategy. SDG.imp also supports the objectives of the EU Strategic Framework Education and Training 2020 (ET 2020) objectives “lifelong learning”, “enhancing creativity and innovation”. When regional stakeholders make use of the SDG.imp's intellectual outputs, it supports the ET 2020 objective of improving the quality and efficiency of training.