Italy’s Fight Against Global Poverty – The Borgen Project

Report on Italy’s Contribution to Global Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Strategic Approach to SDG 1 (No Poverty)

Italy employs a strategic, multi-faceted approach to global poverty reduction, aligning its efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through targeted development funding, food security programs, and humanitarian relief, Italy makes significant contributions toward achieving SDG 1 (No Poverty) and fostering global partnerships for sustainable development (SDG 17).

Key Areas of Intervention in Support of the 2030 Agenda

Advancing SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) through Strategic Partnerships

Rome’s position as the host city for key United Nations agencies dedicated to food security solidifies Italy’s central role in the global effort to achieve SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). Italy maintains a consistent and robust partnership with these institutions.

• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): Italy is a significant contributor to the FAO trust fund, supporting global agricultural initiatives.
• International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD): A contribution of $703 million has supported over 220 initiatives worldwide. These projects focus on agricultural development and crisis response, and critically, promote SDG 5 (Gender Equality) within rural communities.
• World Food Programme (WFP): Italy actively supports the WFP’s emergency operations, addressing acute food insecurity in crisis zones.

Humanitarian Relief and Promotion of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

Italy’s humanitarian actions provide critical support in regions experiencing instability, directly contributing to several interconnected SDGs.

1. Crisis Response in Sudan: The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) has contributed over $7 million to WFP operations in Sudan. This funding is projected to impact nearly 200,000 individuals, directly addressing SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by reducing malnutrition among children and pregnant women.
2. Stabilization Efforts in Niger: In response to political unrest, Italian aid focuses on community stabilization. The Initiatives for Enterprise Development (IDEE) Project promotes SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by fostering youth entrepreneurship and providing economic alternatives to migration for vulnerable populations.
3. Support for Refugees and Migrants: Italy contributes significantly to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by supporting refugee populations. It has provided over $50 million to the U.N. Refugee Agency for integration programs, legal aid, and shelter. Furthermore, it supports labor mobility schemes that offer pathways out of poverty.

Commitment to Climate Action and Comprehensive Development

Italy’s development strategy extends to long-term sustainable initiatives, with a particular focus on climate action and partnerships in Africa.

• The Italian Climate Fund and SDG 13 (Climate Action): A commitment of approximately $4.9 billion to the Italian Climate Fund finances projects that advance sustainable development and climate resilience globally, reinforcing Italy’s commitment to SDG 13.
• Broad Development Projects via AICS: The AICS supports a wide range of projects across Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. These initiatives are designed to advance SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
• Strategic Focus on Africa: In 2023, Italy pledged over $3 billion for development programs in Africa. This investment aims to strengthen economic partnerships and address structural drivers of poverty, with a specific emphasis on SDG 4 (Education and Training), SDG 3 (Health), and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

Conclusion: A Multi-Layered Strategy for Sustainable Global Impact

Italy’s approach to global poverty reduction is characterized by sustained, multi-layered engagement. By consistently investing in international aid, tackling food insecurity in line with SDG 2, and placing humanitarian response at the core of its foreign policy, Italy demonstrates a profound commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Its impact is defined by strategic partnerships and a compassionate dedication to achieving global goals.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 1: No Poverty

• The article’s central theme is “Italy’s Fight Against Global Poverty,” directly addressing the goal of ending poverty in all its forms. It details Italy’s financial commitments and strategic efforts across various sectors to alleviate poverty globally.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• The article highlights Italy’s focus on food security, mentioning its role as a host for the FAO, WFP, and IFAD. It details contributions aimed at supporting agricultural development and emergency food operations, such as the effort to reduce malnutrition in Sudan.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The text explicitly states that Italy’s contributions support “projects that promote gender equality in rural communities,” linking its development aid to the empowerment of women.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The article discusses initiatives aimed at creating economic opportunities, such as the “Initiatives for Enterprise Development (IDEE) Project” which promotes youth entrepreneurship in Niger and “labor mobility schemes that help migrants escape poverty.”

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Italy’s support for refugees and asylum seekers is a key point. The article mentions funding for integration programs, legal aid, shelter, and support for vulnerable groups affected by political unrest, which are all efforts to reduce inequalities.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• The article mentions the “Italian Climate Fund,” a commitment of roughly $4.9 billion to finance projects worldwide that advance sustainable development, directly connecting Italy’s efforts to climate action.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The entire article showcases Italy’s approach to global development through partnerships. It details collaborations with U.N. agencies (FAO, WFP, IFAD, U.N. Refugee Agency), the use of its own agency (AICS), and its financial pledges to support development programs in Africa, embodying the spirit of global partnership.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 1: No Poverty

• Target 1.a: Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources… to implement programmes and policies to end poverty in all its dimensions.
  • The article details Italy’s financial commitments, such as “$703 million to IFAD,” “$7 million” for Sudan, “$50 million to the U.N. Refugee Agency,” and a “$3 billion” pledge for Africa, which represent resource mobilization to fight poverty.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
  • Italy’s support for the WFP’s emergency operations in Sudan, aimed at reducing malnutrition, directly contributes to this target.
• Target 2.2: By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition.
  • The article explicitly mentions that Italy’s donation to Sudan aims to significantly reduce “malnutrition among young children and pregnant women.”
• Target 2.a: Increase investment… in agricultural research and extension services… to enhance agricultural productive capacity.
  • Contributions to the FAO and IFAD are noted to support “agricultural development programs,” which aligns with increasing investment to boost agricultural productivity.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Target 5.a: Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources.
  • The article states that Italy’s funding supports “projects that promote gender equality in rural communities,” which is directly related to improving women’s access to economic resources in agricultural settings.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.
  • The IDEE Project in Niger, which “takes pride in promoting youth entrepreneurship,” is a direct effort to address youth employment and provide economic alternatives.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people.
  • Italy’s funding for refugee integration programs, legal aid, shelter, and “labor mobility schemes” directly supports this target by assisting migrants and asylum seekers.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Target 13.a: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties… to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually… to address the needs of developing countries.
  • Italy’s “$4.9 billion commitment to the Italian Climate Fund” is a direct contribution to climate finance for developing countries, aligning with this target.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.2: Developed countries to implement fully their official development assistance commitments.
  • The article outlines Italy’s various financial contributions and pledges, which are forms of Official Development Assistance (ODA) and demonstrate its commitment.
• Target 17.3: Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources.
  • Italy’s role as a “consistent donor” to multiple U.N. agencies (FAO, IFAD, WFP) exemplifies the mobilization of financial resources for developing nations.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

SDG 1, 13, and 17 (Financial Flows)

• Monetary contributions: The article provides specific financial figures that serve as direct indicators of Italy’s development and climate finance.
  • $703 million contributed to IFAD.
  • $7 million contributed to WFP operations in Sudan.
  • $50 million contributed to the U.N. Refugee Agency.
  • $4.9 billion committed to the Italian Climate Fund.
  • $3 billion pledged for development programs in Africa.

SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

• Number of beneficiaries: The impact of aid in Sudan is quantified as affecting “nearly 200,000 lives,” which is an indicator of the reach of food security programs.
• Reduction in malnutrition rates: The stated goal to “significantly reduc[e] malnutrition among young children and pregnant women” implies that malnutrition prevalence is a key indicator of success.

SDG 13 and 17 (Project Implementation)

• Number of initiatives supported: The article mentions that contributions have supported “more than 220 initiatives worldwide” through the FAO/IFAD partnership.
• Number of climate projects financed: The Italian Climate Fund has “already financed eight projects worldwide, with an additional 22 under review,” serving as a clear indicator of progress.

SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

• Support for entrepreneurship: The existence of the “Initiatives for Enterprise Development (IDEE) Project” implies that the number of young entrepreneurs supported or new businesses created would be a relevant indicator.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: borgenproject.org