CIVIC SPACE - Key Findings The effective engagement of non- state actors in SDGs implementation

challenges that prevent civil society delivery of the • Consistent with previous years, the 2021 Voluntary 2030 Agenda, including low levels of awareness of the National Review (VNR) reports were largely silent on agenda by the public, civil society and government, the issue of shrinking civic space for civil society, limited engagement and coordination with government, although this is now a clea. [...] • Data availability and monitoring capacities • North Korea: The lack of civil space for independent monitoring and accountability within the country calls into question the veracity of the data that the State presents in a variety of areas. [...] The Norwegian status of civic space around the world, civic space for VNR report explicitly mentions “shrinking civic 62% of the countries that reported to the UN HLPF in space” as one of the factors (alongside hate speech, 2021 is characterized as “obstructed,” “repressed” or discrimination, and online harassment) posing “closed”, and only 26% had an “open” status when it came barriers to free sp. [...] References to freedoms of expression, assembly, association, and access to information • In Cabo Verde, although the freedom to associate, express oneself and assemble are legally protected, civil society is not in the necessary position to meaningfully participate in policy-making or the monitoring process linked to the SDGs. [...] • Report on civic space issues in VNR reports submitted to the UN HLPF • Engage in peer exchange with other governments to Governments must break with the practice of remaining share good practice on civic space issues silent on issues of civic space in the VNR reports Governments should try to learn from other they submit to the UN HLPF.