17.2.1
Policy on Relationships with Regional NGOs and Government for SDG Policy Development
1. Purpose
This policy establishes the institutional framework for the University of Thessaly’s collaboration with regional and national government bodies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the development, implementation, and monitoring of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) policies. Its purpose is to ensure that UTH contributes systematically and transparently to public policy design, knowledge transfer, and adaptive governance through evidence-based research and civic partnerships.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
– All University units engaging with government ministries, regional authorities, and NGOs on sustainable development, social policy, environmental management, and economic planning.
– All activities supporting SDG implementation, including research, policy consultation, monitoring, training, and community engagement.
– Multilevel governance partnerships — local, regional, national, and international.
– Formal collaborations (e.g., memoranda of understanding, contracts, EU-funded projects) and informal expert participation in advisory bodies.
3. Definitions
– SDG Policy Collaboration: Joint work between UTH and external partners to co-design, assess, and implement public policies aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
– NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation): Civil society organisation operating independently from government, engaged in public service, advocacy, or development.
– Adaptive Management: A governance model based on continuous learning, feedback, and evidence-driven adjustments to policy or program implementation.
– Policy Co-Creation: Participatory development of strategies involving both academic and non-academic actors.
– Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E): The systematic collection and analysis of data to assess progress and impact toward SDG targets.
4. Policy Statement
The University of Thessaly recognizes its institutional responsibility to support public and civil society partners in the formulation and realization of sustainable development policies. To this end, the University shall:
1. Actively participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of SDG-related public policies at regional and national levels.
2. Cooperate with NGOs, government agencies, and international organisations to address complex sustainability challenges.
3. Provide scientific expertise and evidence-based recommendations for policy design.
4. Facilitate policy modelling and foresight studies, assessing potential outcomes of interventions or inaction.
5. Support the monitoring and reporting of SDG indicators and policy impacts.
6. Promote capacity building and training for local and regional governance stakeholders.
7. Ensure that all partnerships adhere to academic neutrality, ethical integrity, and transparency.
8. Integrate SDG partnership outcomes into the University’s Annual Sustainability and Social Impact Report.
9. Align institutional research priorities with the national and European SDG frameworks.
5. Implementation Responsibilities
The Rector’s Office, in collaboration with the Office of Public Relations, oversees policy implementation. Specific responsibilities include:
– Establishing and maintaining formal cooperation agreements with relevant NGOs and government bodies.
– Coordinating the University’s contributions to regional development and sustainability councils.
– Monitoring participation in national SDG consultations, conferences, and advisory boards.
– Managing a Registry of SDG Partnerships and associated outputs.
– Ensuring that University representatives act consistently with institutional policies and ethical standards.
– Supporting faculty and researchers in project design, funding applications, and evaluation.
6. Ethical and Academic Standards
All cooperation under this policy must:
– Uphold the University’s values of integrity, transparency, and independence.
– Avoid partisanship and maintain a non-political stance in all engagements.
– Comply with national research ethics regulations and data protection laws (GDPR).
– Recognize the authorship and intellectual contribution of University participants in policy reports.
– Promote open access dissemination of non-confidential results and knowledge products.
7. Monitoring and Reporting
The University shall produce an Annual SDG Engagement and Partnership Report summarizing:
– Joint projects and collaborations with NGOs and public authorities;
– Key policy areas supported;
– Quantitative indicators and qualitative outcomes;
– Lessons learned and areas for improvement.
The report shall be reviewed by the Senate Committee on Sustainability and Outreach and incorporated into the Annual Institutional Sustainability Report.
8. Review and Amendment
This policy shall be reviewed every three (3) years or earlier if new legislation, international frameworks, or institutional developments require. Amendments shall be proposed by the Rector’s Office and approved by the Governing Council.
9. References and Compliance Frameworks
– Greek Law 4957/2022 on Higher Education Governance and Research
– National SDG Implementation Strategy (Hellenic Republic, Ministry of Environment and Energy)
– United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
– EU Green Deal and European SDG Monitoring Framework (Eurostat)
– HAHE ESG 1.3, 1.4 (Governance and External Engagement Standards)
– OECD (2018) Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development Framework