In Catalonia, trade unions and regional authorities work together to mainstream the 2030 Agenda among workers and the general public

A project was carried out in Catalonia to promote ownership and mainstreaming of the 2030 Agenda among trade unionists and the general public, with the understanding that the trade union movement is a key player in the achievement of the 17 SDGs.

The project was conducted in 2021 and 2022 by CCOO Catalunya’s Fundació Pau i Solidaritat (Peace and Solidarity Foundation), with the support of the Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation (ACCD). Their initiative focused on three key pillars, based on the International Trade Union Confederation’s approach to promoting the 2030 Agenda.

Firstly, eight training courses were held, attended by 99 trade unionists (52 women and 47 men) representing sectoral and territorial trade union organisations, to promote ownership of the 2030 Agenda among union representatives with a view to mainstreaming it across all trade union action. Following this training process, a working group was set up to prepare a roadmap to help integrate the 2030 Agenda into the trade union action of CCOO Catalunya over the coming years at territorial and sectoral level and in the workplace.

Secondly, to equip itself with a tool for assessing and monitoring the SDGs in Catalonia, the organisation produced its first report on the progress made, from a trade union perspective, towards achieving the SDGs identified as top priorities for trade unions in Catalonia: SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 8 (decent work and sustainable economic growth), SDG 10 (reducing inequality within and between countries), SDG 13 (climate action) and SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions).

The report focuses on examining the current situation in Catalonia based on the most relevant indicators for trade unions and analysing the degree of alignment with the 2030 Agenda, with the aim of identifying trade union proposals and initiatives to facilitate the achievement of the SDGs between now and 2030.

With the same aim in mind, a website has also been created, highlighting the centrality of SDG 8 as a tool for achieving the 2030 Agenda, through respect for the exercise of trade union rights and freedoms. It is structured around defining each of the SDGs from a trade union perspective; establishing a comparison between the current situation in Catalonia and the world, with a view to contextualising concrete progress towards each of the SDGs, and identifying how mechanisms for trade union action, such as social dialogue and collective bargaining, are central to the fulfilment of each of the SDGs. The website also features a virtual exhibition approaching the SDGs from a trade union perspective, identifying the main challenges and opportunities surrounding their achievement.

Thirdly, an online and in-person escape room has been developed. The game involves deciphering a series of puzzles within a maximum of 60 minutes, during which the 2030 Agenda and the progress towards its fulfilment are explored in depth. This material is intended for secondary school and university students. The game allows young people, who will soon enter the labour market, to learn about the concept of decent work and the importance of collective action by working people, through the exercise of trade union freedoms to defend their rights. To date, more than 670 students from all over Catalonia have taken part in the SDGs escape room activity and this figure is expected to increase in 2023.

The Fundació will continue, during 2023, to mainstream the 2030 Agenda within trade unions, building the capacities of trade union representatives and empowering the trade union movement around the world to promote and defend decent work (SDG 8) through international trade union action mechanisms.