Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be as much about the development of effective co-operation and collaboration as it will be about the scale and form such co-operation takes. There is a lot of talk about partnership, but not enough practical, on-the-ground support, to make partnerships thrive, especially not at scale.
Whilst Kenya has made substantial progress towards attaining the Millennium Development Goals, this progress has been uneven across specific goals and within the country. SDG progress must focus more on inclusive socio-economic equity of benefits to make sure that Kenya leaves no-one-behind.
The SDG agenda is marked by solidarity, participation and universality, with a fundamental shift expected in the development finance architecture. Improving the effectiveness, quality and impact of development co-operation in this context will require inclusive and broad-based partnerships, innovative approaches and the application of lessons at country level.
The Government of Kenya with support of the UN established therefore in 2017 the SDG Partnership Platform n collaboration with development partners, private sector, philanthropy, academia and civil society including faith-based stakeholders.
The SDGPP has become a flagship initiative under Kenya’s UNDAF 2018-2022 solidly anchoring it within Kenya’s development architecture, and received in 2018 global recognition from UNDCO and the Dag Hammarskjold Foundation as a pioneering practice to accelerate SDG financing.
The SDGPP convenes and connects leadership from Government, development partners, private sector, philanthropy, civil society, and academia to create “SDG Accelerator Windows” to catalyze SDG partnerships, financing and innovations in alignment with Government development priorities.
Primary Healthcare (PHC) has been the first window established with the goal to be a key driver towards attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in line with Kenya’s SDG3 framework, and Big Four Agenda. Subsequently, and catalyzed by its learnings, the Platform has activated its “Food and Nutrition Security” window, as well as co-founded the SDG Accelerator Lab, and National Advisory Board for Impact Financing as its engines to drive SDG innovation and financing.
Moreover, building on its experience, expertise, and networks – the SDGPP helped to spearhead the National Business Compact Against COVID-19 – and is actively engaged in Kenya’s COVID19 response.
For each window and engine, Steering Committees are being established in which leadership of the national and county government, participating UN agencies, a representative of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), and all funders / investors are seated to strategically guide the work of the respective windows/engines in line with common goals and objectives.
The SDGPP Secretariat provides technical and administrative support to the Thematic Steering Committee’s and is responsible for the processes relating to the approval cycle of projects, M&E, reporting as well as risk management, and also external relations, media and communications.
To support the work of the Platform, the SDG Partnership Platform Multi-Partner Trust Fund (SDG PP MPTF) has been established as the main funding instrument for mobilizing donor resources. The Fund pools contributions from traditional and non-traditional donors, private sector and foundations, complementing other potential financial and in-kind resources being contributed towards the implementation of the SDGPP strategic plans.
