Call for Expressions of Interest: GFoD Civil Society Preparations for the 2025 Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs)

The Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (GFoD) invites civil society organizations (CSOs), advocates, and experts to participate in our 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR) preparation process. This initiative focuses on amplifying the voices of Communities Discriminated by Work and Descent (CDWD) and ensuring their inclusion in the global VNR process.

GFoD’s involvement in the VNRs

Across the globe, communities discriminated on work and descent (CDWD) have been left out of national sustainable development strategies and action plans. Ensuring “No one is left behind” in the developmental planning and implementation of the SDGs is one of the key priorities of the Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Decent.

For the last few years, the Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Decent as part of the UN Major Groups and Other Stakeholders, has been engaging in the National Voluntary Reviews (VNRs), presenting the viewpoint of our communities across the world (i.e., Roma, Haratins, Buraku, Dalits, Quilombola, etc.). The Major Groups and Other Stakeholders provide the space for stakeholder engagement around the High Level Political Forum (HLPF). Stakeholders can also engage by: providing inputs to and reviewing drafts of VNRs of their respective countries; representing their constituents as part of government delegations; and participating in the presentation of the VNR to the HLPF.

This year we would like to support those civil society representatives and other stakeholders interested in getting involved into their national VNRs, by providing the in-house knowledge and resources (i.e., training) on how to best engage in such advocacy activities from the perspective of communities discriminated on work and descent!

More about the VNRs

As part of its follow-up and review mechanisms, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development encourages member States to conduct regular and inclusive reviews of progress at the national and sub-national levels. The Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) aim to facilitate the sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned, with a view to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

Following states have expressed interest to carry out voluntary national reviews (VNRs) of their implementation of the 2030 Agenda at the 2025 HLPF: Angola, Bulgaria, Israel, Kyrgyzstan, Malta, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Papua New Guinea (PNG), Saint Lucia, Seychelles, South Africa, the State of Palestine, Suriname, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Finland, the Gambia, Germany, Ghana, India, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lesotho, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Sudan, Thailand, Guatemala, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Qatar.

CDWD focused VNR webinars 

GFoD offers a comprehensive program to support CDWD-focused civil society engagement in the 2025 VNR process through a series of monthly webinars (online):

Webinar 1: What is the VNR? Relevance for CDWD

• Learn about the VNR process, its objectives, and why it is critical for CDWD communities to be represented.

Webinar 2: How You Can Get Involved in Your Country’s VNR?

• Explore strategies for engaging with your government, contributing to consultations, and mobilizing your networks for VNR participation.

Webinar 3: Integrating the Perspective of CDWD in the VNRs

• Discover how to ensure CDWD perspectives are included in national and thematic VNR reports, interventions, and statements.

If you are a CSO, advocate, or expert interested in ensuring CDWD voices are heard in the 2025 VNR process, register for the Webinar Series to build your understanding and capacity.

To express your interest please fill out this form by December 15, 2024: https://forms.gle/5UCGVVNDiF9XAhVd6 

 Additionally, we encourage you to share this invitation and information with all relevant stakeholders who might be interested in contributing to this important initiative.

Your commitment to this endeavor will play a vital role in ensuring that the perspectives and concerns of civil society are well-represented during the HLPF 2025. 

Interpretation in  French will be provided.

Read more about the 2025 VNRs here: Voluntary National Reviews | High-Level Political Forum

We look forward to your active participation and collaboration in this significant effort.