Leadership for Sustainable Development in Georgia

Based on the 5th and final reporting by the UN Global Compact Network Georgia (UNGCNG), as well as the Annual Meeting held on June 19, 2024, the following results highlight the organization's significant achievements. The transition of UNGCNG from the Civil Development Agency to the official host organization of the UN Global Compact Platform in Georgia marked a pivotal institutional advancement. This transition was accompanied by the election of Salome Zurabishvili, Executive Director of the UN GCNG, as a Member of the UN Global Compact Board and Co-Chair of the Global Network Council, enhancing UNGCNG's global influence and leadership in sustainability initiatives. Membership growth saw a notable increase of 23.57%, reaching 173 member companies by the end of the 2023. This expansion underscored UNGCNG's effective engagement strategies and its role in mobilizing corporate entities towards sustainability goals. The organization's proactive approach in organizing 62 events with 1911 participants, including international conferences like Uniting Business Europe and regional meetings, showcased its role as a pivotal platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration in the sustainability sector. UNGCNG's efforts were further recognized through initiatives such as the Corporate Sustainability Award 2023 and the identification of local SDG Pioneers, highlighting exemplary corporate sustainability practices and fostering a culture of responsibility among businesses in Georgia. Policy influence was evident in UNGCNG's facilitation of 7 economic reforms within the Parliament of Georgia, supported by initiatives in sustainable public procurement and workshops with government agencies. These efforts underscored UNGCNG's instrumental role in shaping national policies towards sustainable development objectives. Capacity building initiatives, including the Corporate Sustainability Academy courses and the publication of the Sustainability Spotlight Magazine, demonstrated UNGCNG's commitment to promoting knowledge dissemination and raising awareness on sustainability issues among diverse stakeholders. Media engagement played a crucial role in expanding UNGCNG's outreach, with increased presence on business programs and dedicated sustainability-themed TV shows. These efforts contributed to heightened public awareness on corporate responsibility and the importance of SDG implementation. The organization's positive end-term external evaluation by NIRAS, commissioned by the Embassy, highlighted UN GCNG's role as a highly relevant partner for engaging the private sector on sustainability issues. The evaluation recommended continued engagement with UN GCNG, leading to the successful commencement of Phase 2 of the Swedish support until 2027. These achievements underscore UN GCNG's pivotal role in advancing sustainable development agendas, fostering partnerships across sectors, and influencing policy frameworks throughout the project implementation period in 2023 and beyond, both locally in Georgia and on a global scale

The overall objective of the intervention "Leadership for the Sustainable Development in Georgia" implemented by the local partner: Global Compact Network Georgia (GCNG) is to enhance multi-stakeholder cooperation and business involvement in the implementation of Agenda 2030 in Georgia. Specific Objective 1: To develop capacities of Global Compact Network Georgia (GCNG) and its corporate platform to effectively promote corporate sustainability and business involvement in implementation of Agenda 2030 in Georgia. Specific Objective 2: To enhance capacities of State officials, businesses, and other relevant stakeholders and contribute to their increased collaboration and coordination around agenda 2030.