Partnering around the Global Goals

By Northamptonshire Community Foundation

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 to tackle the world’s biggest issues ahead of the 2030 Agenda.  By translating action through the SDGs, stakeholders and national leaders alike can better identify and learn from the progress being made to improve thematic issues such as climate, transport, equality, employment, energy, the oceans, the environment, economies and build stronger partnerships to implement positive change.

Philanthropy plays a significant role in delivering the SDGs.  It not only serves as a support system to various government intentions, it also enables communities and stakeholders to take pioneering risks that lead to societal and global development.

Community foundations throughout the UK have long-standing place-based connections working with a broad range of philanthropists and partnering with local universities, companies, local authorities, individuals, trusts and foundations and the VCSE sector to help deliver change and impact to local problems and issues.

Their ability to tackle multiple issues affecting communities simultaneously through various funds means that adopting the SDGs is a practical and essential way to bridge local goals with the global movement.

We asked Rachel McGrath, Chief Executive at Northamptonshire Community Foundation, about how SDG 17: Partnering for the Goals has been a driving force for good in Northamptonshire:

How are you shaping local philanthropic partnerships around the SDGs?

"At Northamptonshire Community Foundation, our partnerships and the work they enable are varied.

We’ve hosted events to raise awareness of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) in our county; we’ve cultivated partnerships and projects that zoom in on one specific goal; and we encourage the local charities we fund to support each other and collaborate on their work to do good on their doorstep.

The UN SDGs keep us focused on the needs of both our global and local communities.  They allow us to build and maintain partnerships that will make the most impact on the lives of our most vulnerable residents.  For example, in our efforts to combat climate change in alignment with UN SDG 13: Climate Action, we are working with an anonymous donor to give large grant awards to organisations working on creative projects that combine the Arts with awareness building, to encourage local residents to make behavioural changes to protect the environment in Northamptonshire.

Since launching in 2023, we have awarded more than £240,000 in grants from the Creative Climate Action Fund, our first fund dedicated solely to climate action and awareness.   

We’re also tackling poverty, in alignment with UN SDG 1: No Poverty, through our partnership with several local organisations to champion and fund Food4Heroes’ #50Families project.  Over the last year, the project has supported a group of 50 local families through a year of healthy eating and food education.  Evaluations and learnings from the first year will be used to create a toolkit that can be rolled out to other areas across the UK."

How are you incorporating the SDGs into local action?

"To raise awareness of the SDGs more broadly, we have twice brought together almost 200 of our partners and community members for a summer Community Celebration Day held during Global Goals Week.  Most recently, we hosted visitors at the fantastic Wicksteed Park, encouraging them to get to know their local charities and the great work they do on our doorstep.

The UN SDGs were each represented by local organisations, who led workshops teaching attendees more about our county’s VCSE sector.

Popular activities included:

• African Youth Arise teaching a drumming class to educate about their work celebrating African culture and heritage for SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Fermynwoods Contemporary Arts demonstrating their climate action art projects and work involving stop motion for SDG 13: Climate Action

• Northamptonshire Walks leading wellbeing walks for SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing"

How have you seen community organisations implementing SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals?

"This year, we were proud to fund local charity Barefooted Arts for their In Nature: Breathe, Create, Connect project.  They collaborated with one of our regular partners, Delapré Abbey, to create a mindful and movement-focused outdoor experience for older adults aged 60+ who are experiencing loneliness, isolation and disconnection.  The two-day immersive experience addressed SDGs 3, 10 and 13, Good Health and Wellbeing, Reduced Inequalities and Climate Action.

Another local organisation, Deep Roots Tall Trees, focused on SDG 4: Quality Education when they collaborated with Orchestras Live and musicians from The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to provide opportunities for vulnerable young people in North Northamptonshire to get involved in music and music making.  We funded this work in 2024."

What Partnerships for the Goals are you working on at the moment?

"An ongoing partnership-based project of ours is the Rose of Northamptonshire Awards.  We re-launched these in 2023 in partnership with our local Unitary Authorities and Lord-Lieutenant’s office to celebrate unsung heroes and volunteers across the county who are doing vital work to support their local communities, and yet who are rarely recognised.  Since 2023, we have been thrilled to celebrate more than 200 volunteers with Rose of Northamptonshire Awards.

The awards align with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, encouraging a stronger social infrastructure by recognising and promoting the outstanding work being done at a local level.

We are sincerely grateful to our partners across Northamptonshire for their ongoing work to improve the lives of our county’s residents.  We see our donors and grantees as equal partners in our work to harness generosity and we support all those doing good work on the ground."