Backgrounder
Overview
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development presents Canada, and the world, with a historic opportunity to positively shape how societies of tomorrow grow and develop sustainably and inclusively for the shared benefit of all. Adopted by Canada and all other 192 United Nations Member States in 2015, the 2030 Agenda is a 15-year global framework centered on an ambitious set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Government of Canada strongly supports the 2030 Agenda, and is committed to working with its partners to build a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world that leaves no one behind.
In Budget 2018, the Government of Canada announced up to $59.8 million in funding over 13 years ($4.6 million annually), starting in 2018-2019, for programming to support Canada's implementation of the SDGs. Employment and Social Development Canada, on behalf of the Government of Canada, is administering the SDG Funding Program to support projects aimed at building awareness of the 2030 Agenda, increase partnerships and networks, advance research and further Canada's implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
Objectives
The Government of Canada is committed to supporting a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to Canada's implementation of the 2030 Agenda by working in partnership with organizations to accelerate progress on the SDGs.
Through the SDG Funding Program, the government will support and leverage the work of stakeholders, including not-for-profit organizations, provinces and territories, municipalities, academia, the private sector, Indigenous peoples, women, youth and vulnerable and/or marginalized populations, to deliver improved outcomes for Canadians, with the aim of leaving no one behind. The Program will support innovative projects and initiatives that are horizontal in nature, and contribute to the achievement of more than one SDG.
The Program is intended to complement existing Government of Canada efforts by supporting priorities and initiatives related to the 2030 Agenda that do not fall under existing departmental programs.
The expected outcomes of the Program include
- Increased public awareness of the SDGs;
- Establishment/fostering of new partnerships and networks to advance progress on multiple SDGs;
- Identification of gaps in Canada's efforts to meet the SDGs and improved understanding of the social, economic and environmental needs of under-represented populations who are at risk of being left behind;
- Identification and development of new and innovative approaches to address gaps in SDG implementation; and
- Establishment of Indigenous peoples as key partners in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
