Words by Blyth Brentnall
Christmas is a time for giving and the best gift is to support a good cause. Smiley Movement is built upon the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which offer a roadmap to tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. So in the run-up to Christmas Day, we are celebrating the 17 global goals by sharing some of the top organisations working hard to achieve them.
On 8th December it’s 17 days from Christmas, donate to support the United Nations’ 17th sustainable development goal. It aims to reinforce global collaborations for sustainable development of all kinds. One brilliant organisation working towards this goal is Crowdfunder. This platform allows charities, groups and individuals to raise money for initiatives driving positive change. To support UN Goal 17, go to crowdfunder.co.uk, pick a Crowdfunder campaign linked to a cause close to your heart and donate to help it succeed.
Sixteen days from Christmas Day let’s celebrate the United Nations’ 16th sustainable development goal. It aims to promote peace and inclusion while ensuring everyone has access to justice and building accountable and inclusive institutions. One valuable organisation working towards this goal is Citizens Advice. This charity offers free confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person. They advise on all kinds of topics, including housing, family, employment, immigration, finance and health. To support UN Goal 16, donate to Citizens Advice via their website.
There are just 15 days till Christmas and we’re celebrating the United Nations’ 15th sustainable development goal. Goal 15 aims to protect terrestrial ecosystems, forests and biodiversity while combating desertification and land degradation. Conservation International, one of the world’s largest organisations working to protect nature around the world. They do this with the help of technology, science, advising powerholders, and working towards a nature-positive economy. Support UN goal 15 by going to conservation.org and donating to Conservation International.
With just 14 days till Christmas, we’re celebrating the United Nations’ 14th sustainable development goal. This goal aims to conserve the oceans, seas and marine life. One brilliant charity working towards this goal is Oceana. This is the world’s largest advocacy organisation focused on ocean conservation. The United Nations warns that by the end of the century more of the world’s seas could be hot, acidic and lifeless — which would be catastrophic for all life on Earth. To prevent this, Oceana lobbies for governmental policies to tackle overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species. Support UN goal 14 by donating to Oceana.
Just 13 days away from Christmas we’re celebrating the United Nations’ 13th sustainable development goal. Goal 13 is to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. One brilliant charity driving climate action is Fridays For Future. This youth-led movement launched after 15-year-old Greta Thunberg and three other activists protested outside the Swedish Parliament for three weeks. The group organises protests and campaigns globally to get power holders to take action on the climate crisis and divest from fossil fuels. Support UN goal 13 by donating at fridaysforfuture.org.
Just 12 days till Christmas we’re celebrating the United Nations’ 12th sustainable development goal. Goal 12 is to make consumption and production more sustainable. One charity working hard to achieve this goal is Hubbub. This environmental charity organises all kinds of creative campaigns to tackle waste, fast fashion, overconsumption and more. Support UN goal 12 by donating at hubbub.org.uk.
It’s only 11 days till Christmas and we’re celebrating the United Nations’ 11th sustainable development goal. Goal 11 is to develop inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. Groundwork is an organisation diligently pursuing this goal. The UK charity supports local communities and businesses to build capacity and resilience in order to help nature recover in a way that reduces inequality and leads to better work and healthier, happier lives. Support UN goal 11 by donating at groundwork.org.uk.
There’s just 10 days till Christmas and we’re celebrating the United Nations’ 10th sustainable development goal, to reduce inequality within and among countries. One incredible organisation working hard to pursue this goal for LGBT+ people is Stonewall. This charity tackles discrimination, supports the LGBT+ and spreads Queer joy everywhere. Support UN goal 10 by donating at stonewall.org.uk.
There’s just 9 days till Christmas and we’re celebrating the United Nations’ 9th sustainable development goal, to improve infrastructure and promote inclusive industrialization and innovation. One great organisation working hard to encourage innovation and inclusivity is Girls Who Code. This charity supplies girls and women with the tools they need to break into the tech industry. Support UN goal 9 by donating at girlswhocode.com.
Eight days till Christmas, it’s time to celebrate the United Nations’ 8th sustainable development goal, to promote decent work for all. One fantastic organisation doing this is United Way. This is a global charity building economic mobility and financial security for everyone. Across the world, they are improving people’s employment and income opportunities. Support UN goal 8 by donating at unitedway.org.
Just 7 days till Christmas we’re celebrating the United Nations’ 7th sustainable development goal, to ensure access to clean and affordable energy for all. One fantastic organisation working to promote this goal is Greenpeace, which organises campaigns and direct action to encourage those in power to transition away from the fossil fuel economy towards greener, cleaner energy. Support UN goal 7 by donating at greenpeace.org.
There’s just 6 days till Christmas and we’re celebrating the United Nations’ 6th sustainable development goal. Goal 6 is to ensure clean water and sanitation for all. One fantastic charity working to promote this goal is WaterAid. Support UN goal 6 by donating at wateraid.org.
Five days from Christmas we’re celebrating the United Nations’ 5th sustainable development goal. Goal 5 aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The Malala Fund works hard to pursue this goal. It was set up by Malala Yousafzai who bravely campaigned for girls’ education in Pakistan. Today her charity works to bring education to girls around the world. Support UN goal 5 by donating at malala.org.
There’s only 4 days till Christmas and we’re celebrating the United Nations’ 4th sustainable development goal. Goal 4 aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. One brilliant charity working to promote this goal is… UNICEF. This organisation improves living circumstances and opens up educational opportunities to deprived children around the world. Support UN goal 4 by donating at unicef.org.
There’s only 3 days till Christmas and we’re celebrating the United Nations’ 3rd sustainable development goal. Goal 3 aims to improve everyone’s health and well-being. One brilliant charity working to promote this goal is Mind. This UK charity offers advice and support to people struggling with their mental health. Support UN goal 3 by donating at mind.org.uk.
With just 2 days to Christmas we’re celebrating the United Nations’ 2nd sustainable development goal. Goal 2 aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. One fantastic charity working towards this goal is No Kid Hungry. This US charity funds free school meals, offers grants and advocates for power holders to deliver solutions to child hunger. Support UN goal 2 by donating at nokidhungry.org.
There’s just 1 day till Christmas! And to wind up our Christmas Give Guide, we’re celebrating the United Nations’ 1st sustainable development goal, which aims to end poverty in all its forms. One organisation working towards this goal is Oxfam, a renowned charity that works on the ground in countries around the world. It delivers constructive projects to support communities in the battle against poverty everywhere. Support UN goal 1 by donating at oxfam.org.
