Case examples
Case examples where we have had a role to play.
Sami played a key role in preparing Finland’s first and second National Voluntary Reviews (VNRs) on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for the UN, conducted in 2016 and 2020. Rilli coordinated contributions from civil society. The 2020 VNR incorporated an independent assessment from Finnish civil society on SDG progress, presented alongside the Government’s assessment. This report marked a significant milestone, as it was the first VNR to feature civil society’s unedited views alongside official perspectives, receiving considerable attention and praise at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF).
The VNR preparation process served as an important learning experience for both officials and stakeholders, fostering internal discussions on SDG implementation and Finland’s key sustainability challenges. Although differing opinions between civil society representatives and officials persisted, the process ultimately strengthened the trust between these groups.
As an articulate performer and expert, Rilli has been invited to speak nationally and internationally in various events to explain complex topics in understandable ways.
Rilli also continues the mentoring support for individuals and organizations to better clarify their missions.
Rilli has commented and sparred educational actors on their guidelines to implement sustainable development at schools.
Strategic, systemic and holistic approach is a key to guide the whole school to focus on sustainability. But strategy is just a paper without concrete implementation.
Rilli has supported several organizations advocacy planning, implementation and follow up. Perhaps the biggest advocacy success so far in Rilli´s career has been to get active citizenship into sustainable development goals (SDG 4.7.).
Rilli has written several funding applications, but before that screened through the most potential calls for clients. Thanks for our large network, we can also help on finding the partners for projects.
As the Secretary General of Finland’s National Commission on Sustainable Development (NCSD), Sami designed and led an inclusive process to develop a national roadmap for implementing the 2030 Agenda in Finland, which subsequently became the basis for the NCSD’s new strategy. This roadmap and strategy were grounded in the concept of critical entry points presented in the 2019 Global Sustainable Development Report.
The development of the Roadmap and Strategy was a challenging facilitation exercise. Ultimately, over 60 member organizations of the NCSD reached consensus on six key areas for sustainability transformation and committed to implementing a joint strategy.