© Forus
Forus Engagement kit
High-Level Political Forum 2025
Explore how the Forus network is actively contributing to the 2025 High-Level Political Forum, held from 14–23 July in New York, through events, reports, and civil society leadership.
/ News bites from HLPF 2025
/ Side events
Framing civil society contributions to inclusive and transformative sustainable development. Find our Key Messages!
At HLPF 2025, Forus will champion four core demands drawn from our members, research, and campaigns:
- Localization is a Strategic Imperative
- Civil Society Must Be Protected and Resourced
- VNRs Must Move From Symbolism to Substance
- Partnerships Must Shift Power
01
Localization is a strategic imperative, not a technical adjustment: 65% of SDG targets depend on local action, and civil society and local governments are best placed to drive inclusive, accountable development. Multi-stakeholder partnerships must be equitable: Shift from tokenism to locally led, trust-based partnerships.
02
An enabling environment for civil society and digital justice are cornerstones of intersectional SDG action. Governments must protect civil society, promote community-generated data, and develop inclusive monitoring systems. This also includes promoting positive and constructive narratives about the work of civil society organisations worldwide. Check the Forus "We Are Leaving No One Behind Campaign, Are You?" for more!
03
Transform VNRs from symbolic to action-oriented frameworks, with independent monitoring, full transparency, and institutionalized civil society participation.
04
Shifting power toward equity and justice requires more than rhetoric—systemic reform and financing justice are non-negotiable. The SDGs must be backed by concrete budgets and inclusive, accountable governance that centers the voices and leadership of those most affected by inequality and exclusion.
Forus Campaigns at the HLPF 2025
Discover our campaigns on gender justice and on leaving no one behind!
/ Reports & publications
2025-07-17
Unlocking the power of localisation and multi-stakeholder partnerships to rescue the SDGsDiscover 15+ powerful case studies from across five regions in the Forus network, showcasing how local communities are reshaping the path to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This groundbreaking report offers practical strategies to reorient SDG implementation from the ground up — prioritising inclusive, locally driven, and community-owned approaches.
2025-07-16
Executive Summary - Unlocking the power of localisation and multi-stakeholder partnerships to rescue the SDGsThe Executive Summary of the "Unlocking the Power of Localisation and Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships to Rescue the SDGs" report presenting over 15 powerful case studies from across five regions in the Forus network, showcasing how local communities are reshaping the path to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By centering local leadership and multi-stakeholder collaboration, the report highlights transformative pathways to rescue the SDGs and build more resilient, equitable societies.
2025-07-15
VNRs at the Crossroads - From Symbolism to Systemic ChangeAre Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) advancing the 2030 Agenda—or preserving the illusion of progress? As the world enters the final five-year stretch toward the SDG deadline, the time for rhetorical commitment has expired. This comprehensive review—anchored in eight years of civil society monitoring through the Progressing National SDGs Implementation series and reinforced by other published analyses—draws on findings from 366 VNRs submitted by 191 countries. It offers the most robust, independent assessment of the VNR mechanism to date.
2025-07-10
A Decade of Accountability - Assessing the Role of Voluntary National Reviews in Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.Since their inception in 2016, Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) have served as a key accountability tool for monitoring progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Designed as country-led and voluntary mechanisms, VNRs aim to peer learning, track national progress, and identify policy gaps, ensuring that governments remain accountable to their commitment to the Agenda 2030. In this report we assess both what has worked and what hasen't in these past 10 years with case studies from national platforms across the Forus network.
2025-07-16
HLPF 2025: Civil Society Is Not A Service Provider – We Are The Frontline Of TransformationChristelle Kalhoule, Forus Chair and Sarah Strack, Forus Director
2025-07-15
CSO Shadow Report for SDGs implementation process TANGO 2025The Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (TANGO) is leading the development of a CSO Shadow Report to assess The Gambia’s progress in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ahead of the United Nations 2025 Comprehensive Review. This independent report offers a civil society perspective on the country's SDG implementation journey, providing a complementary narrative to the government’s official reporting.
2025-06-20
EU SEE - Resources - Shedding light on critical trends in the enabling environment for civil society.EU SEE is a consortium of international civil society organisations and network members in 86 countries. The partnership implements an Early Warning and Monitoring Mechanism to document changes and shed light on critical trends in the enabling environment for civil society.
2025-06-19
Ninth Edition: 2024 — Progressing National SDG ImplementationProgressing National SDG Implementation Report 2024
/ Report Launches #HLPF2025
Unlocking the Power of Localization and Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships to Accelerate SDG Implementation
Discover Forus' latest global report, showcasing how local action and inclusive partnerships can rescue the 2030 Agenda. Featuring over 15 case studies from five regions and 20+ countries, the report highlights how communities, civil society, and their partners are advancing SDGs from the ground up—especially SDG 5, SDG 8, and SDG 17. The report offers practical insights to scale locally led development, strengthen accountability, and unlock grassroots financing. Let's centre community-driven solutions in our collective push for sustainable development, find our key messages below!
Localization is Not Optional—It is the Strategic Imperative to Rescue the SDGs. Strengthen Local Capacities
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65% of SDG targets dependon local action - empowering local governments, civil society, and communities is not a technical fix—it is a strategic and political imperative to rescue the 2030 Agenda.
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Localization is a systemic transformation, not a technical adjustment—rooted in equitable partnerships, power shifts, and co-creation.
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Build long-term support structures (training hubs, peer learning, local data systems).
- Development financing must shift decisively toward direct, flexible, and long-term support for local governments and grassroots CSOs. Without financing justice, localization will remain rhetoric.
Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships are Key to boost the Implementation of the SDGs.
- Partnerships that center local actors’ priorities and ownership are critical for transformative change.
- Partnerships must move beyond tokenism. Equitable, locally-led partnerships ensure community ownership, sustain results, and decolonize development practice.
Civil Society is a Frontline Driver of SDG Implementation
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Civil society and grassroots movements are not supplementary actors—they are foundational to SDG delivery. From youth-led reviews in Nepal to budget audits in Zambia, their leadership bridges the gap between policy and lived realities.
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The current wave of ODA funding cuts is having a huge impact on civil society. A recent EU SEE survey found that 72% of civil society partners were directly affected by recent funding cuts, and 40% experienced severe losses. This goes far beyond budgets—it’s a dismantling of the enabling environment. Legal restrictions, disinformation, and delegitimization are increasing. In Peru, Nigeria, Indonesia, and beyond, CSOs are seeing projects suspended, new legal hurdles introduced, and donor credibility weakened.
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Shrinking space for civil society undermines the SDGs; enabling environments must be protected and expanded, including digital environment.
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We call for flexible, long-term, grant-based funding to sustain their work, especially in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.
Enhance Data Ecosystems for better planning, increased impact and inclusivity
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Enhance Data Ecosystems: Include community-generated, disaggregated data and citizen scorecards in monitoring and reporting.
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Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) are Game-Changers for Accountability and Inclusion. (VLRs are not just reporting tools—they are catalysts for participatory planning, local accountability, and policy coherence. Over 300 VLRs globally show the readiness of local actors to lead.
Our Campaigns linked to local power
Discover our campaigns on shifting power and new forms of financing for development
A Decade of Accountability: Assessing the Role of Voluntary National Reviews in Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals - 2016–2024
Discover our new report which critically examines the effectiveness of Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) as accountability tools for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) implementation since their launch in 2016. While VNRs were intended to support peer learning, policy coherence, and inclusive engagement, their impact has varied widely. The report highlights concerns raised by civil society about limited participation and selective reporting. With only five years left to achieve the SDGs, can VNRs genuinely drive progress?
Below the list of Forus members based in countries presenting their VNRs
Philippines
Czech Republic
Dominican Republic
Nigeria
Finland
1 for 8 Billion
Forus is a supporter of the #1for8Billion campaign. This toolkit includes sample social media copy and graphics for you to take action online to support the 1 for 8 Billion campaign for a fair, open and inclusive process to appoint the next UN Secretary-General.
Handle (LinkedIn): @1 for 8 Billion
Hashtags: #1for8Billion #MadameSecretaryGeneral #SGselection #MadameSG #NextSG # WomanSG
#UNMute civil society
The UNMute initiative by a collective of civil society organisations will be active during the HLPF and beyond!
In partnership with various civil society organisations as well as the Permanent Missions of Costa Rica and Denmark, we're seeking to enhance CSO engagement at the UN 🌟. Be part of developing a crucial engagement manual and join the #UNmute movement!
Forus Social media toolkit
Share your messages
📲 Join the Movement Whether you're in New York or tuning in from afar, you can take action: 🧵 Share messages from our Social Media Toolkit – coming soon 📸 Tag your photos and messages: #HLPF2025 #ForusGlobal #NoOneLeftBehind #MarchWithUs 📬 Submit content or updates for amplification via this form
/ Press
