CIFAL Brussels

🌍 CIFAL Flanders at SDG Forum 2025: “Sustainability & Business: Accelerating SDG Progress Through Innovation”
On 14 November, we moderated a high-level panel on how partnerships between UN agencies and Belgian companies can drive sustainability. We were pleased to welcome around 70 participants to this engaging session.

Our discussion focused on three key themes, each explored through a UN–business partnership:

♻️ Circular Economy
🔹 Christophe Yvetot (UNIDO) highlighted that real sustainability progress requires innovation, collaboration, and action from multiple actors, and that UNIDO supports companies in translating the SDGs into long-term value.
🔹 Steven Beckers (Bopro) emphasised that linking solutions, rather than addressing them in isolation, generates greater circular impact and depends on strong multistakeholder engagement.

🌐 Responsible Global Value Chains
🔹 G***t Cattaert (UN Global Compact) explained how the Ten Principles support companies globally and in Belgium in strengthening transparency, due diligence, and sustainable value chains.
🔹 Yves Peiffer (ELEP) shared how ELEP’s partnerships with the UN Global Compact and CIFAL Flanders help companies move step by step, translating the 2030 Agenda into concrete action, driven by internal commitment and growing market expectations.

🤝 Labour Mobility & Social Inclusion
🔹 Pascaline Mbida (IOM BeLux) discussed how ethical recruitment and labour mobility pathways address skills shortages in Belgium while promoting fair and inclusive employment, with IOM projects supporting safe connections between migrants and companies.
🔹 Muriel Sacré (BESIX) reflected on how companies with complex subcontracting chains can reinforce fair labour practices by engaging with IOM’s initiatives, ensuring responsible recruitment and better worker protection.

🔑 Key Takeaway
Sustainability accelerates when we act together.
UN agencies provide pathways, companies bring innovation, and partnerships turn global challenges into shared opportunities for People, Planet & Prosperity.

🌍 Sustainable Entrepreneurship Day 2025
On 23 October 2025, Voka - Kamer van Koophandel Mechelen-Kempen hosted the 8th Day of Sustainable Entrepreneurship at Technopolis in Mechelen. The event celebrated another milestone in advancing sustainability in business practices and brought together more than 380 participants committed to driving positive change.

🤝 As part of the PCA2030 Trajectory, we awarded 79 organisations with UN sustainability certificates together with Voka, recognising them as SDG Pioneers, SDG Champions, and SDG Ambassadors.

🇺🇳 Representing the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Michaela Majcin Dorcikova, Project Manager at UNITAR, led the awards presentation and celebrated the commitment of these changemakers to advancing the SDGs.

🌟 A special shoutout to the first CIFAL Flanders SDG Ambassadors: HOGENT and Het Facilitair Bedrijf recognised for their outstanding, long-term commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals. We also congratulate Ciril, Fruitsnacks, Center Parcs Europe, Seven Holiday Villages, Kringwinkel ViTeS, and SBE, who join the ten organisations previously recognised as SDG Ambassadors.

👏 Congratulations to all awarded organisations for their continued dedication to building a more sustainable future.

Want to learn more about our SDG Ambassadors?
🔗 SDG Ambassadors: https://cifal-flanders.org/pca2030-trajectory/sdg-ambassador/
🔗 Het Facilitair Bedrijf Sustainability Report 2025:https://assets.vlaanderen.be/image/upload/v1754572266/repositories-prd/HFB_Duurzaamheidverslag_2025_v08_hrl3bk.pdf
🔗 HOGENT SDG Ambassador Announcement: https://hogent.be/en/news/hogent-is-first-university-of-applied-sciences-in-flanders-to-become-an-sdg-ambassador/

📢 UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network has launched the 10th edition of the Sustainable Development Report (SDR) today!
This milestone report, focusing on “𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟬 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗶𝗱-𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝘆,” marks the 10th anniversary of the 𝗦𝗗𝗚𝘀 and provides crucial insights into global progress and financing challenges.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀:
🔷 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴: 190 of 193 UN Member States have participated in Voluntary National Reviews.
🔷 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴: Only 17% of SDG targets are on track for 2030.
🔷 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀: Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and France lead the SDG Index. 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗴𝗶𝘂𝗺 ranks 18th in the SDG Index, demonstrating solid progress while facing ongoing challenges.
🔷 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀: East and South Asian countries, notably Nepal, Cambodia, and the Philippines have shown the most improvement since 2015.
🔷 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺: Barbados leads in UN multilateralism commitment, and the U.S. ranks last.
🔷 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: The Global Financial Architecture must be overhauled to fund the SDGs.

As CIFAL Flanders, we remain committed to empowering the strategic implementation of SDGs. This report reinforces the importance of collaborative efforts and sustainable financing for the future.

🔗 Learn more about the report here: https://cifal-flanders.org/news/sustainable-development-report-2025-financing/

📖 Download the report here: https://dashboards.sdgindex.org/

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2025 OVERVIEW - CIFAL Flanders Explore the key findings of the 2025 Sustainable Development Report, focusing on financing sustainable development, addressing the Global Financial Architecture, and boosting investments in emerging economies to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

🌟 Get to Know Our Trainees: Meet Emma Sageot! 🌟
We’re excited to share her experience as a 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲 at CIFAL Flanders.

Emma’s strong organisational skills have played a vital role in coordinating our events, lectures, and key initiatives. Her commitment, proactive mindset, and can-do attitude have been instrumental to the success of our projects—while her positive energy has been a true asset to the team.

🌎 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀-𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱?
We’re looking for a new Trainee Project Manager to join our dynamic team.

🗓 Deadline: 𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱
📄 Apply here:https://cifal-flanders.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CIFAL_Vacancy-Trainee-Project-Manager_EN_2025.pdf

🎉 𝗖𝗜𝗙𝗔𝗟 𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗞𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗢𝗙𝗙 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱: From Agenda 2030 to the Pact for the Future took place at the 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲-𝗘𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲 building in Brussels on 26 February, bringing together 𝟵𝟬 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 and 𝟭𝟳 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 to raise the ambition of sustainability and the co-creation of the SDGs.

💡 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀:
Frank Geets (CEO, Het Facilitair Bedrijf - Vlaamse overheid) opened the event, followed by insights on the 𝗨𝗡 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 by Peter Wollaert, the 𝗦𝗗𝗚 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗴𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 by luc van liedekerke, and 𝗨𝗡 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 by Marian Blondeel.

💬 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
📌 𝗘𝗦𝗚 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀: Panel on CSRD, CSDDD & EU Omnibus Regulation with Marc Daelman (PwC), Jonas Kiesekoms (Pantarein), Philippe Nys (Voka-Vlaams netwerk van ondernemingen), Boris Verbrugge (KU Leuven & Möbius Business Redesign), moderated by Topsana Du Bois & Charlotte Heyvaert (CIFAL Flanders).
📌 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Best practices presented by Dirk Franco (Hogeschool PXL), Tom Janssen & Katrien Monden (Duurzaam Educatiepunt), Karen Van Bastelaere (HOGENT), moderated by Bridget Thielens Lomo & Emma Sageot (CIFAL Flanders).
📌 𝗦𝗗𝗚 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 led by Emma Sageot & Camila Salazar (CIFAL Flanders).
📌 First meeting of new 𝗦𝗗𝗚 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆: Business & Human Rights panel with Leen de Ruck (VS Advocaten), Stephan Parmentier (KU Leuven), Boris Verbrugge (KU Leuven & Möbius), moderated by Astrid Van Parys (Colruyt Group).
📌 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: SDG 17 & Business in Africa with Loïc De Cannière, Bert Bortier (Exchange), Pol Deturck (Ondernemers voor Ondernemers), Werner Sels (Lignaverda), moderated by Emma Sageot (CIFAL Flanders).
📌 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹𝘀: Why & How? with Bridget Thielens Lomo & Mei-Ke Vanryckeghem (CIFAL Flanders).

🏅 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽:
✨UNITAR SDG Pioneer Certificate Awarding – Congratulations to Apeiron-Team & BESIX!
✨ Congratulations to Ingrid Lieten (CEO Verso) as our new Chair and to Geert Aelbrecht (BESIX) as our new Vice-Chair.
✨ Ari Epstein, former CEO AWDC, was recognised for his remarkable leadership as CIFAL Flanders Chair from 2011 to 2024 and became our first 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿.

A big thank you to all speakers, participants & partners for making this event a success!

🌟 Get to Know Our Trainees: Meet Topsana Du Bois🌟
We’re excited to share her experience as a Project Manager Trainee at CIFAL Flanders.

Topsana has excelled in providing event support, coordinating partnerships, and supporting the ex*****on of key initiatives. Her attention to detail and dedication have been remarkable, whether assisting in high-impact events or engaging with partners and stakeholders. With her enthusiasm for sustainable development and proactive approach, Topsana has made a meaningful contribution to our work.

🔹 Want to gain hands-on experience in the field of sustainable development? 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝘆 𝟭𝟱 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 🔴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:https://cifal-flanders.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/CIFAL_Vacancy-Trainee-Project-Manager_EN_Q1_2025.pdf

🌍 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆!
Are you passionate about driving positive change and making an impact on sustainable development? Join CIFAL Flanders as a 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 and dive into impactful sustainability projects! 🌱
📍 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Hybrid, Antwerp, Belgium
📅 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: January 2025 | Duration: 6 months
💼 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Paid traineeship through FTP Flanders Trainee Programme
🗣️ 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲: Dutch

💡 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗚𝗮𝗶𝗻:
• Hands-on experience applying the UN 2030 Agenda, Sustainable Development Goals, and Corporate Social Responsibility
• Strengthened communication and project management skills by working independently on impactful CIFAL projects

✅ 𝗜𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂?
If you're a forward-thinker with a passion for sustainable development and a drive to learn, this is your opportunity to contribute to meaningful initiatives while developing your professional skills.

📝 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗡𝗼𝘄:https://cifal-flanders.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/CIFAL_Vacancy-Trainee-Project-Manager_EN_Q1_2025.pdf
🕒 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: 15 December 2024 (𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱, 𝘀𝗼 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆)

🌍 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 HOGENT! 🌍
This one-semester Sustainability Coordinator programme (3 March 2025 - 31 May 2025), totalling 30 ECTS, is designed to prepare you for the role of Sustainability Coordinator within an organisation or as a Sustainability Advisor. Lead the way in sustainability with Europe’s first internationally-oriented micro-credential programme, a collaborative initiative by 𝗛𝗢𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗧 and 𝗖𝗜𝗙𝗔𝗟 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀.

🟢 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲:
▪ Start with a foundational course, the UN and Sustainable Development, followed by in-depth courses on SDGs for Planet, People, Prosperity, and Peace & Partnership.
▪ Expand your expertise with a separate course on Circular Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Innovation.
▪ Gain practical skills in budgeting, EU sustainability reporting standards, change management, and communication.
▪ Apply your learning in a Sustainability Coordinator Project, where you’ll develop a strategy and implementation plan for a sustainable future for an organisation.

🎓 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆? Graduates, bachelor’s or master’s degree holders, or those with 60 ECTS credits.
📅 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Receive a credit certificate for each course component, and upon successful completion of the entire programme, earn a U!REKA micro-credential for Sustainability Coordinator with a UNITAR training certificate.

Ready to become a Sustainability Coordinator? 🌱
📧 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿: mail to [email protected]
🔗 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼: https://www.hogent.be/en/future-student/micro-degrees/sustainability-coordinator/