Rising above the crisis: financing the future of civil society and sustainable development

As the world faces the intensifying impacts of climate change, geopolitical instability, and growing threats to multilateralism, financing sustainable development is becoming increasingly challenging. With the 1.5°C warming threshold approaching, the global shift towards protectionism, militarization, and far-right ideologies is threatening the international funding landscape. Member States are redirecting resources away from development cooperation, civil society engagement, and social investment, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of SDG implementation. This side event seeks to address these challenges head-on by exploring innovative financing mechanisms and alternative strategies for sustainable development. It will also delve into how civil society can adapt, collaborate, and sustain its operations in an era of shrinking resources and growing restrictions.