SDG study trip to Bonn, Brussels and Paris

In order to strengthen the exchange between civil society actors in the European Union and the South Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan), one project activity consisted of a trip by a delegation from Georgia to Germany, Belgium and France. During the five-day trip, we met thirteen organizations/stakeholders who are committed to an ambitious implementation of the SDGs in the EU and at national level. The thematic focus was on the topic of "building civil society networks". In the countries of the South Caucasus, there is a desire to build national as well as transnational SDG coalitions. How such networks can be established, which examples the countries can use as a guide, what the hurdles and challenges are, but also what the added value of such networks can be, was discussed extensively with the various stakeholders during the trip. The meeting with the EU-wide organization SDG Watch Europe (SDGWE) was therefore particularly important during the trip. SDG Watch Europe is a cross-sectoral network of civil society organizations from the fields of development, environment, social affairs, human rights and more. Its aim is to hold governments accountable for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs). The meeting with SDGWE was not only intended to strengthen the relationship between civil society from the South Caucasus and the EU, but also to provide civil society representatives from the South Caucasus with experience and motivate them to establish such a network in their region. In addition, SDGWE has also set itself the goal of expanding its membership beyond the member states of the EU - the personal exchange and meeting between the actors was also important for this.