2019 VNR Process

Background:

UK VNR Process – thoughts from Scotland’s SDG Network, August 2018 Following the first meeting with the UK Government on the UK VNR Process on the 31st of July, Scotland’s SDG Network has put together the following points for the Government to consider, with specific focus on engagement with Scotland, both in terms of devolved government and civil society. Key Points 1.	The need to co-create the VNR with stakeholder groups across the whole of the UK is vital for this to be a ‘national’ review, not simply a ‘UK government’ review. 2.	Devolved policy areas and data collected at sub-national level should be considered and included. 3.	The VNR should cover all goals and all targets, and each chapter of the VNR should make reference to devolved nations, both in terms of civil society and devolved governments. An annex with reference to devolved nations would not be sufficient 4.	Therefore, engaging devolved and regional stakeholders is critical, and as lead authors of this report, DFID should hold stakeholder engagement events early in the process in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, as well as offer opportunities for representatives to join further meetings in London as and when they happen. 5.	We would like to see a clear timeline and process set out so we can share this with our members and stakeholders 6.	UKSSD’s “Measuring Up” report is a great starting point for the UK VNR 7.	Close attention should be given to the National Performance Framework (NPF) in Scotland, and the Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015 in Wales 8.	The UK Government currently don’t have an implementation plan for delivering the SDGs, we support calls that an implementation plan is developed at the same time as the VNR 9.	Work should be undertaken with the respective SDG leads in both the Scottish Government and the Welsh Government to ensure implementation plans across the UK are as consistent and as comparable as possible.

Devolved engagement in VNR process 1.	Approach to the VNR: In order for the VNR to be useful it must be “self-critical and honest”. There must be co-creation with all stakeholders, including devolved nations, businesses and civil society. 2.	Co-creation: this must mean more than stakeholders giving feedback on a draft through a consultation after the bulk of the document has already been written. In other words, co-creation means input by stakeholders from the outset of the writing process. 3.	Regional and devolved approaches to SDGs: Scotland and Wales both have different but progressive approaches to delivering and tracking the SDGs and their experiences should be incorporated throughout the report. There is a lot to learn from the experience of aligning their own reporting mechanisms to the goals; and the way they engage with civil society in that process. Wales and Scotland should feature in the VNR, by Incorporating the devolved perspective in all the chapters rather than in a separate annex. 4.	The Welsh approach: anything to add here? 5.	Linking to an implementation plan: At this years HLPF Countries that didn’t have an implementation plan came in for criticism, the UK Government currently don’t have an implementation plan (the SDPs are not sufficient for this purpose) we suggest an implementation plan is developed at the same time as the VNR and the two processes can be co-developed. Implementation plans should be developed with devolved governments as well – NPF implementation plan?

6.	Creating ownership across devolved governments as well different UK departments:Departments clearly need to own and understand the goals if the VNR is to be comprehensive. The Single Departmental Plans that were revised in May all refer to the SDGs so there is a good starting point, however there is still a gap in terms of understanding how departments are delivering on specific SDG targets, not just broad goal areas. This is also true for Socttish Government? Is it? 7.	Opportunity to raise awareness about the SDGs: The VNR process is an ideal opportunity for the UK Government and other stakeholders to make a public noise about SDGs in Scotland, raising awareness and championing the goals. If people understand and know about the goals then they can hold the government, businesses, CSOs and others to account for delivering them. 8.	Online Process: An online process for engaging the public and stakeholders should form part of the process? However, getting people to know about the online platform and engage with it will require a concerted effort on communications and outreach. This is something our organisations could help with? 9.	Face to face meetings: are also important, and we recommend that the UK Government make particular efforts to hold stakeholder meetings in Wales and Scotland. Our network can help organise these meetings 10.	Reach out to stakeholders beyond the “usual suspects” and “easy to reach”: Scotland’s SDG Network is keen to be engaged in the process of shaping and producing the UKs VNR, however this should not be the extent of stakeholder engagement. The UK government should reach out beyond these stakeholders, we are happy to support and advice on this?

Something on engagement process?

Next steps?