ZIMBABWE 2017 VNR PROCESS After adoption of the SGDs government aligned the SDGs to the country’s development plan. There was very little consultation with CSOs and other stakeholders in this process. Very little awareness raising on the SDGs- the nation expected a national launch of the SDGs

THE VNR PROCESS Decision for Zimbabwe to report on the VNR was made from the Zim. New York mission ( Ambassador Shava was the then president of ECOSSOC). The communication was made around March leaving very little time for both government and CSOs to prepare before July. The government through the support from UNDP hired a consulted to prepare the report, and as CSOs we found this problematic.

ZIM CSOs ROLE IN THE VNR The Poverty Reduction Forum Trust (PRFT) had started SDGs awareness raising through training journalists, radio programs, use of social media platforms. The VNR intervention called for more coordinated and collaborative effort. A CSOs Reference Group to serve the same purpose was officially launched on the 7th of April 2017. The main objectives of the CSOs Reference Group on SDGs are: (i) To provide a platform for CSOs to engage in a coordinated manner in critical dialogue and contribution towards the SDGs implementation. (ii) To influence national policy making with a view to creating an enabling and inclusive environment for SDGs implementation in Zimbabwe. (iii) To promote innovative approaches and initiatives for advancing poverty eradication at the  local, national, regional and global levels with the view to promote shared solutions to the global challenge of “ shared prosperity” and ensuring No One is Left Behind.

THE ZIM CSOs REFERENCE GROUP ON SDGs

THE ZIM CSOs REFERENCE GROUP ON SDGs Poverty Reduction Forum Trust CARITAS, Zimbabwe National Council for the Welfare of Children Media Institute for Southern Africa ( MISA) National Council for People with Disability in Zimbabwe National Association of Youth Organizations Women’s Coalition in Zimbabwe SAYWHAT HelpAge, Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum

ZIM CSOs ROLE IN THE VNR Stakeholder consultations Engaged government and UNDP and submitted the CSOs report Participated in the validation of the government-led report and continued to make interventions

ZIM CSOs ROLE IN THE VNR cont’d Government responsive, (PS) participated in our stakeholder consultations Facilitated CSOs accreditation at the HLPF (we Zimbabwe Advisor badge!) Post- HLPF the Minister invited all CSOs that had participated to a feedback meeting. The Minister shared his HLPF report-back to Cabinet for our input- highly commendable. He had invited us to participate in a post HLPF press conference, which unfortunately never happened due to the political developments on the ground.

ZIM CSOs ROLE IN THE VNR cont’d Engaged government to share their way forward. Post- 2017 HLPF somehow the momentum went down- in part due to the political changes.

CURRENT SDGS COORDINATION The current line Ministry coordinating the SDSGs has established three Clusters : CLUSTER 1: MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SERVICES, LABOUR & SOCIAL WELFARE( SDG 4,5,8,16,17) CLUSTER 2: MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND CHILDCARE ( SDG 3,6,10,11,12) CLUSTER 3: MINISTRY OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, WATER, CLIMATE & RURAL RESETTLEMENT ( SDG2, 7, 9, 13, 14, 14 , 15) Members of the CSOs Ref Group are represented across the clusters.

LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND!!! THANK YOU Poverty Reduction Forum Trust: #myZimSDGs