Introduction

This lesson provides a structured approach to integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Human Rights (HR) into a project proposal. Whether you are preparing a proposal for funding from the European Commission, UN agencies, or other donors, aligning your project with these global frameworks will enhance its relevance, impact, and chances of success.

Proposal Structure Overview

A typical project proposal includes the following sections:

1. Executive Summary
2. Background and Context
3. Problem Statement
4. Project Objectives
5. Project Design and Methodology
6. Integration of SDGs and Human Rights
7. Implementation Plan
8. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)
9. Budget
10. Sustainability and Impact
11. Partnerships and Collaboration
12. Conclusion

Each section offers an opportunity to integrate the SDGs, HR, specific SDG targets and indicators, and relevant human rights instruments. Below is a detailed guide on how to do so.

1. Executive Summary

Purpose: The Executive Summary provides a concise overview of your project proposal. It should clearly state how your project aligns with specific SDGs, their targets and indicators, and promotes human rights.

Integration Tips:

• Highlight SDGs and Targets: Briefly mention the SDGs your project will address, including relevant targets (e.g., SDG 4.1 – Ensure all girls and boys complete accessible, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education).
• Emphasize Human Rights Instruments: Indicate the human rights principles your project supports and reference relevant instruments (e.g., Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Convention on the Rights of the Child).

Example: “Our project aims to improve access to quality education (SDG 4, Target 4.1) in underserved communities, with a strong emphasis on promoting gender equality (SDG 5, Target 5.1) and ensuring the right to education for all children, particularly girls, as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).”

1. Background and Context

Purpose: This section provides the context for your project, including the local, regional, or global situation that necessitates the intervention.

Integration Tips:

• Discuss SDGs and Indicators: Provide a background on the SDGs relevant to your project, including current status and specific indicators in your target area (e.g., SDG 4, Indicator 4.1.1 – Proportion of children and young people achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in reading and mathematics).
• Human Rights Context: Describe the human rights situation, highlight any existing violations or inequalities your project aims to address and reference relevant international agreements.

Example: “In the target region, access to quality education remains a significant challenge, particularly for girls. This project aligns with SDG 4, specifically Target 4.1, by aiming to enhance educational opportunities and with SDG 5, specifically Target 5.1, by promoting gender equality. Despite national policies supporting education, significant gaps in implementation persist, particularly in rural areas where traditional norms often limit girls’ educational opportunities. This project is committed to upholding the right to education as enshrined in international human rights agreements, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).”

1. Problem Statement

Purpose: The problem statement clearly defines the issue your project seeks to address.

Integration Tips:

• Link to SDG Targets and Indicators: Clearly articulate how the problem relates to specific SDGs, targets, and indicators (e.g., SDG 5, Target 5.1 – End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere).
• Highlight Human Rights Issues and Instruments: Identify the human rights being violated or not fully realized due to the problem and reference relevant human rights instruments.

Example: “Despite progress in educational access, many girls in rural areas remain out of school, primarily due to gender-based discrimination and socio-economic barriers. This situation violates their right to education and equality. It undermines progress toward SDG 4 (Target 4.1 – Ensure free, equitable, and quality education) and SDG 5 (Target 5.1 – End discrimination against women and girls). Addressing this issue is critical for ensuring that these girls can enjoy their fundamental human rights as articulated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).”

1. Project Objectives

Purpose: This section outlines the specific objectives your project aims to achieve.

Integration Tips:

• Align Objectives with SDG Targets and Indicators: Ensure each project objective corresponds to one or more SDG targets and indicators (e.g., SDG 4, Target 4.5 – Eliminate educational gender disparities).
• Embed Human Rights and Relevant Instruments: Frame objectives in a way that promotes and protects human rights, referencing relevant human rights instruments.

Example:

• Objective 1: Increase school enrollment and retention rates for girls in the target area, contributing to SDG 4 (Target 4.1, Indicator 4.1.1) and SDG 5 (Target 5.1) in line with the principles of the CRC.
• Objective 2: Empower local communities to support girls’ education, promoting the right to education (UDHR, Article 26) and gender equality (CEDAW).

1. Project Design and Methodology

Purpose: Describe how your project will achieve its objectives, including activities, methodologies, and tools.

Integration Tips:

• Incorporate SDGs, Targets, and Indicators: Design activities that directly contribute to achieving the relevant SDGs and their targets (e.g., SDG 4, Target 4.1).
• Ensure Rights-Based Approaches and Reference Instruments: Use methodologies that respect and promote human rights, such as participatory approaches, inclusion, and non-discrimination, and reference relevant human rights instruments.

Example: “Our project will conduct community awareness campaigns on the importance of girls’ education, addressing cultural barriers and promoting gender equality (SDG 5, Target 5.1). We will also establish school support programs that provide resources and training to teachers, ensuring that educational practices are inclusive and uphold the right to education (SDG 4, Target 4.1) as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).”

1. Integration of SDGs and Human Rights

Purpose: This section explicitly discusses how the project integrates SDGs, their specific targets and indicators, and human rights throughout its design and implementation.

Integration Tips:

• Detailed Explanation with Targets and Indicators: Provide a comprehensive explanation of how each SDG, target, indicator, and human rights principle is addressed in the project, referencing specific human rights instruments.
• Cross-Sectoral Links: Highlight any interconnections between SDGs and human rights within your project.

Example: “This project adopts a holistic approach to integrating SDGs and human rights by addressing education (SDG 4, Targets 4.1 and 4.5), gender equality (SDG 5, Target 5.1), and reducing inequalities (SDG 10, Target 10.2). We will ensure that all project activities are inclusive, non-discriminatory, and respect the dignity of all participants, particularly girls, in alignment with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).”

1. Implementation Plan

Purpose: Outline the timeline and steps for executing the project.

Integration Tips:

• Timeline Linked to SDG Targets and Indicators: Include milestones that track progress toward achieving specific SDG targets and indicators.
• Rights-Based Milestones and Reference Instruments: Incorporate checkpoints ensuring human rights are respected and promoted throughout the project, referencing relevant human rights instruments.

Example: “Within the first six months, the project will establish local education committees, with a mandate to monitor progress toward increasing girls’ enrollment (SDG 4, Target 4.1). Regular training sessions on human rights and gender equality (aligned with CEDAW) will be provided to ensure that all project activities align with SDG 5 (Target 5.1) and human rights standards.”

1. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

Purpose: Describe how the project’s success will be measured and evaluated.

Integration Tips:

• SDG Indicators: Use relevant SDG indicators to track progress (e.g., Indicator 4.1.1 – Proportion of children achieving minimum proficiency in reading and math).
• Human Rights Impact Assessment and Relevant Instruments: Include tools to assess the project’s impact on human rights, such as rights-based evaluation frameworks, and reference relevant human rights instruments.

Example: “The project’s impact on SDG 4 will be measured by tracking changes in school enrollment and retention rates among girls, using UNESCO’s education indicators (e.g., Indicator 4.1.1). Additionally, we will conduct regular human rights impact assessments to ensure that the project upholds the right to education (CRC, Article 28) and equality for all participants (UDHR, Article 1).”

1. Budget

Purpose: Provide a detailed budget that outlines the project’s financial requirements.

Integration Tips:

• Allocate Resources for SDGs, Targets, and HR: Ensure that sufficient resources are allocated to activities that contribute to the SDGs, specific targets, and human rights, referencing relevant instruments.
• Include Monitoring Costs: Budget for monitoring and evaluation activities, including human rights assessments.

Example: “Budget allocations include €10,000 for community training on human rights and gender equality (SDG 5, Target 5.1, CEDAW) and €15,000 for educational resources aimed at improving girls’ school retention (SDG 4, Target 4.1). A further €5,000 is allocated for conducting human rights impact assessments throughout the project.”

1. Sustainability and Impact

Purpose: Discuss how the project’s outcomes will be sustained beyond its initial funding period.

Integration Tips:

• Long-Term SDG Impact and Reference Indicators: Explain how the project will contribute to the long-term achievement of the SDGs and their indicators.
• Sustaining Human Rights Gains and Reference Instruments: Outline strategies to maintain human rights improvements, referencing relevant human rights instruments.

Example: “The project’s sustainability strategy includes establishing local partnerships that will continue to support girls’ education after the project ends, thereby ensuring ongoing contributions to SDG 4 (Target 4.1) and SDG 5 (Target 5.1). Additionally, by embedding human rights training (aligned with CRC and CEDAW) in local institutions, we ensure that the principles of equality and non-discrimination are upheld long after the project’s conclusion.”

1. Partnerships and Collaboration

Purpose: Identify the partners and stakeholders involved in the project.

Integration Tips:

• SDG and HR-Focused Partners: Collaborate with organizations that are strongly committed to the SDGs, specific targets, and human rights, referencing relevant instruments.
• Leverage Global Networks: Engage with global networks and coalitions that promote the SDGs, specific targets, and human rights.

Example: “Our project will partner with local NGOs, women’s groups, and international organizations such as UNICEF, which have extensive experience in promoting SDG 4 (Target 4.1) and SDG 5 (Target 5.1), and in protecting children’s rights (CRC). These partnerships will enhance the project’s ability to achieve its goals and sustain its impact.”

1. Conclusion

Purpose: To summarize the project’s key points and reiterate its alignment with the SDGs, specific targets, indicators, and human rights.

Integration Tips:

• Reaffirm Commitment concerning SDG Targets and HR Instruments: End with a solid commitment to the SDGs, specific targets, indicators, and human rights, referencing relevant instruments.
• Call to Action: Encourage stakeholders to support the project in advancing global development goals.

Example: “In conclusion, this project represents a critical opportunity to advance SDG 4 (Target 4.1) and SDG 5 (Target 5.1) while upholding the human rights of some of the most vulnerable members of society, as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). We call on our partners and stakeholders to join us in this effort, ensuring that every girl has the right to quality education and an equal future.”

References   Attached Guides