This brief explains what trade union’s international cooperation activities look like and how they contribute to a sustainable developmental model based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda and constructed in the frame of the Development Effectiveness Principles (Ownership, Focus on results, Inclusive development partnerships, and Transparency and accountability).

The examples from around the world included in this brief, showcase trade unions’ strong involvement in development cooperation through programmes that cover crucial areas to achieve the SDGs, such as labour rights, occupational health and safety rights, social protection, gender equality, organising workers, enhancing social dialogue processes and industrial relations.
The authors of this brief demonstrate that another way of running development programmes is possible. A way that put people’s needs in a sustainable environment at its core.

To trade unions, the objective of sustainability can only be reached through a full implementation of all the targets included in the SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) and the adoption of a New Social Contract for governments, business and workers, with a Labour Protection Floor for all workers.