The third phase provides a valuable opportunity to capture the results of the programme. Development Perspectives has collated and shared ‘Stories of Action’, showcasing the actions implemented by the Advocates in their local communities.  

These include Patrick and Heather, who run Amicitia, an award-winning social enterprise based in Athenry.  Working with local partners, Amicitia provides technology and social supports for elderly and disabled individuals. Patrick and Heather took part in the SDG Advocate programme to gain a better understanding of the SDGs and to embed them into their social enterprise. They stated, ‘The training and support from Development Perspectives helped us to appreciate the interconnectedness of the goals and the need to work in partnership to scale our social impact.’

Another example is Amy, who worked with the Irish Girl Guides (IGG) to integrate the SDGs into their programmes. She reached over 1000 girls and women at an international Girl Guide camp with a workshop on gender equality. She also has worked with the IGG and with NGOs to develop three SDG-related badges.   

Other Advocates have worked to create change in their communities through their engagement with Macra Na Feirme, Adult Education Centres, Family Resource Centres and other organisations. The Advocates have used a variety of innovative, participatory methodologies, such as festivals and socially-engaged art, to create change.

Development Perspectives recognises that while some SDG Advocates may be able to get their action projects up and running during the timeframe of the programme, other action projects may not immediately emerge. Also, Advocates may have an idea in mind but have not been able to launch it due to constraints on time and resources. These projects-in-the-making are also included in the ‘Stories of Action’, emphasising that change is a long-term journey that does not always unfold predictably.     

Development Perspectives previously/ also used the ‘Most Significant Change’ method in 2016 to explore an earlier iteration of the SDG Advocate Programme - known as ‘Insight’, to understand changes in the participants’ attitudes, behaviours and beliefs. The key changes identified were: increase in self-confidence; greater ability to think critically; civic responsibility; more accepting and respectful of others’ opinions; greater understanding of development issues and enhanced ability to make informed decisions; becoming more politicised.

Images:

• Study visit to Cloughjordan Eco Village with SDG Advocates 2020. Credit: Michelle Jackson (main page)
•  'Do you feel blindfolded to what is happening in the world around you?' Credit: Oisin McCann (picture 1)
• The SDG Advocates at the 2019 SDG Advocate Showcase in the Spirit Store, Dundalk. October 2019. Credit: Niamh Murphy (picture 2)
• Image created by Oisin McCann at the 2020 SDG Advocate Showcase. October 2020. Credit: Oisin McCann (picture 3)