A sustainable future is built in communities

Halfway to achieving the 2030 Agenda, we are faced with an alarming reality, fraught with multiple challenges and crises that threaten our very existence. Recent conflicts and wars, insecurity, growing inequality between and within countries, as well as natural disasters caused by us, the inhabitants of this planet, and climate change demand coordinated and systemic responses that put people and their communities at the center.

It is clear that the world is not on track to achieve most of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. According to the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Report, only 18% of the targets are on track to be met globally. The Latin American region presents a more encouraging outlook, with a likelihood of achieving 25% of the targets; however, this is insufficient. We are moving too slowly, and the current environment is not favorable.

Despite pressing challenges, a glimmer of hope is emerging thanks to efforts led by institutional philanthropy and support organizations to ensure that the promise of a sustainable future is not left behind. Some of these contributions can be found in the recent Latin American Report on Philanthropy and Sustainable Communities: Localizing the SDGs, published by the Center for Philanthropy and Social Investment (CEFIS) at Adolfo Ibáñez University (UAI) in Chile. Comunalia participated in this report as a member of the Advisory Committee alongside AFE Colombia, the Cómo Vamos Cities Network, Cemefi, RedEAmérica, and the Dorothy A. Johnson Center.

To reinvigorate transformative actions in Latin America that will accelerate progress toward fulfilling the goals of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, we gathered in Santiago, Chile, on October 24 and 25 for the CEFIS International Seminar on Philanthropy and the Localization of the SDGs, where we reflected on the contributions of Latin American philanthropy to the SDGs and collaboratively charted new paths toward building sustainable communities in order to have a greater impact at the local, national, and regional levels.

At this meeting, we learned about the findings of the report, which involved 127 foundations from 11 countries, primarily Chile, Colombia, and Mexico. On the first day, two panel discussions were held: one on the challenges of integrating the SDGs into philanthropy, and the second on localization efforts led by foundations in a specific region. On the second day, participants shared insights on the capabilities and contributions of support organizations in helping foundations adopt the 2030 Agenda, while also discussing the importance of partnerships and multisectoral collaboration to foster systemic change toward sustainable development.

On the second day of the meeting , the website “SDGs in Action: Tools for Philanthropic Contributions to Sustainable Development” was launched . This digital repository compiles a series of valuable tools for organizations seeking to deepen their understanding, integration, and catalytic role in helping to build sustainable communities while contributing to the achievement of the SDGs.

As part of this Regional Meeting and the SDG Summit held last September 2023, Comunalia was granted Special Consultative Status by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The granting of this consultative status enables a Community Foundation Support Organization (OSFC) such as Comunalia, along with its members—Community Foundations (CFs) in Mexico—to bridge the gap between global agendas and local communities, particularly to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Under specific conditions, this designation allows Comunalia and its members to attend General Assembly meetings at UN Headquarters in New York, as well as other events, conferences, and sessions on matters of mutual interest among CSOs, the FCs, ECOSOC, and its subsidiary bodies.

Participating in the United Nations Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) branch provides a platform to showcase the work that support organizations and community foundations do to achieve sustainability in the communities they serve, and offers a great opportunity to raise awareness about the role philanthropy plays in solving global problems at the local level by contributing valuable perspectives and knowledge.

We are confident that we will be sharing these kinds of platforms and insights with our partners in Latin America so that, together, we can transform philanthropy for the benefit of our communities. We are excited to pool our experiences to build new and better opportunities for development where no one is left behind.

For the Alliance of Community Foundations of Mexico, obtaining Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC is a milestone that strengthens our commitment to advancing the SDGs in the communities where each of our member organizations operates. It is precisely community foundations that are taking the initiative to address these challenges by building the capacities of their communities and empowering them to take the lead in their own development. We have no doubt that this has been possible thanks to the community foundations in our alliance.

Article written by Pamela Cruz, Special Projects Coordinator.

Photographs from the Center for Philanthropy and Social Investment (CEFIS) at Adolfo Ibáñez University (UAI) in Chile.