On July 20th 2021, GCCN held the SDGs and City Planning Workshop for Counsellors and City Planners, showcasing the model that NUI Galway has actioned, in mapping a baseline of SDG achievements and future targets. This really productive meeting was attended by City Councillors, Planners, GCCN members and members of the Galway City SDGs Working Group.

The workshop heard from the SDG unit in the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and from Michelle O’Dowd and Prof Jamie Goggins on the innovative work being carried out by NUI Galway in embedding the SDGs across campus. The meeting also heard how critical it is to provide leadership and the pivotal part the new City Development Plan could play in this.

Councillor Niall McNelis stated:

Big thanks to the GCCN for organising last night’s workshop on the SDGs. By building each of the 17 goals into our development plan, service plans, economic plans we, as a City, can measure what we can achieve to better our community. The SDGs are about housing, access, quality of life, mental health, education, clean water, inclusiveness, climate action and our community.

Collaboration between City Hall, NUI Galway, community groups, GMIT, HSE and business groups can make Galway the leader in putting the SDGs into how we govern, educate, provide services and create a future. Looking forward to working on being Ireland’s first city to embrace the SDGs in our daily lives and supporting GCCN in delivering these Goals in our future development plans.”

In summing up, the new Mayor of Galway City, Councillor Colette Connolly stressed the urgency in relation to actions and the critical nature of funding mechanisms to support action.

The Galway City SDG Working Group, established by GCCN in 2020, in collaboration with Galway City Council will continue supporting the work of Galway City Councillors in relation to embedding the SDGs in city planning.

To find out more on the work that GCCN is currently carrying out in relation to the SDGs, please visit the LECP Sustainable Development Goals Working Group page – here.


Read the GCCN Press Release – SDG Workshop and City Planning – 21st July 2021 – here.

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