We reached out to and engaged over 1000 international foundations and local philanthropists to align their strategies and support national development plans inspired by the SDGs. In doing so, we joined forces with over 15 philanthropic associations across the globe.
   In Kenya, since its launch in November 2014, the SDG Philanthropy Platform has partnered with locally based philanthropic organizations to create the first voice for organized philanthropy in the country. Over 35 Foundations and Trusts were brought together by the Platform in close collaboration with the East African Association of Grantmakers, the Kenya Community Development Foundation, and Aga Khan Foundation as the initial critical mass of potential members of Kenya Philanthropy Forum (KPF). The number of KPF members has grown to over 60. Though being an informal network, KPF has been recognized and often invited to key forums by the Government and other stakeholders as a valued partner in a joint effort to localize the SDGs. Many of its members have participated in national UNDAF Steering Committee meetings, County-level Steering Committee meetings, and UN flagship programs under UNDAF.
Â
Â
   In Ghana, we led the establishment and official registration of Philanthropy and Impact Investors Network Ghana (PIING). PIING Secretariat is temporarily hosted by Reach for Change/Social Enterprise Ghana, while funding opportunities are being explored. The long-term goal is to fund the Network through the contribution of members. While PIING will be owned and run by corporate foundations and impact investors, SDGPP will act as a supporting organization, providing technical assistance and thought leadership, as well as facilitating partnerships to accelerate the SDGs. Â
   In Zambia, the Platform has been catalytic in convening Zambian Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) and international NGOs with faith-based missions around the Global Agenda. We engaged with 15 major stakeholders, including those working with communities on the ground. The established network will be used for facilitating knowledge and experience sharing among the organizations as well as identifying issues requiring collective engagement with government ministries, especially with critical non-traditional partners such as the Ministry of National Development Planning.
Â
  Â
   In Colombia, we have partnered with the Association of Corporate and Family Foundations (AFE Colombia) to develop Peace and Sustainable Development in Colombia Report The report aims to serve as a catalyst for new thinking and dialogue between key stakeholders and to shed light on the challenges and opportunities stemming from Colombia’s historic peace accord. It also provides concrete recommendations and pathways for local and international philanthropic organizations to support Colombia’s transition towards peace. Also, we collaborated on the SDG-aligned regional development plan in Antioquia (one of the poorest and deprived regions of Colombia).
    In Indonesia, the Platform has widely supported Filantropi Indonesia, which in cooperation with the Indonesia Business Council for Sustainable Development, Indonesia Global Compact Network, and Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, initiated the establishment of Philanthropy and Business Forum for SDGs (FBI4SDGs). The latter was officially launched in July 2018 and currently comprises 14 associations representing about 500 Indonesian foundations and corporations.
    In India, the SDG Philanthropy Platform was launched at a High-level Roundtable in January 2017. Over two-dozen senior representatives of the philanthropy sector in India including private foundations, individual philanthropists, corporate philanthropy, and networks attended the meeting. This initial group has been further expanded with an additional 15 philanthropic organizations (like AVPN, BMGF, and BAT), convening organizations, business associations (like CII, NASSCOM, and FICCI) and their foundations and corporates (like Tata, L&T, Toyota, and IBM). Although the network has remained informal, philanthropists and social investors affiliated with the network have participated in UN and government SDG events. In addition, 20 foundations and organizations working on gender equality and women’s empowerment in India have been mapped for further engagement.
    Brazil has become the eighth pilot country to launch the SDG Philanthropy Platform. The launch took place at a high-level online conference, which was attended by a wide range of key players from the Brazilian philanthropic sector, such as private social investors, GIFE (Group of Institutes, Foundations and Enterprises), IDIS (Institute for the Development of Social Investment) and WINGS (Worldwide Initiatives for Grantmaker Support). To date, 180 philanthropists and social investors have been engaged in a dialogue on SDGs, development priorities, greater engagement of national actors, etc., through a series of important workshops and meetings.