Voluntary National Reviews: Tracking SDG Progress

Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) are the official process through which governments can account for their progress on the SDGs. They are a key accountability tool and provide an important opportunity for countries to be answerable to their citizens. While being government led, they should be the result of collective, inclusive reflections including members of civil society. They offer potentially productive spaces of engagement on difficult issues between government and civil society. A truly grounded progress assessment must include those directly affected by policies and actions. 

CSOs can contribute to VNRs during its conception, the data collection and preparation of the report as well as its presentation nationally and globally by:

• raising public awareness of the VNR process, timing and outcomes;

• participating in government consultations and providing alternative, also qualitative, data (from a.o. marginalised and vulnerable groups);

• providing additional recommendations to the VNR report and produce shadow reports;

• participate in the review of the VNR at national, regional levels (the regional SDG review moments), specific global reviews of the goals as well as the High Level Political Forum in New York and 

• being involved in the follow-up to the VNRs. 

See also: 

The UN Handbook for the preparation of VNRs 

For more on how civil society can contribute to the VNR - see  TAP accountability handbook particularly the section on VNRs, the section on inclusive consultations as well as case studies presenting the work of other CSOs;

If you’re interested in producing a civil society led shadow/spotlight report have a look at these Guidelines for SDG16 civil society/parallel reporting. 

CSOs can get in touch with the SDG focal point of their country to open a dialogue with their government, be part of the VNR and contribute to the planning and implementation of SDGs. Check the Member States section of the UNDP website (click on your country & then see at the far right the ‘focal point tab’) to see the contact details of your government’s SDG focal point (if they appointed one).