VNR Lab 2025 report: Shrinking civic space - practical guidance for bridging the divide between civil society and government

In July, the Global Forum for National SDG Advisory Bodies convened a VNR Lab at the UN Headquarters during the 2025 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF). The Forum presented findings from its new research, From Local Realities to Global Goals, highlighting challenges for whole-of-society engagement in shifting political contexts and offering practical guidance to strengthen government–civil society collaboration. Members shared country experiences that illustrated these challenges and the crucial role of multi-stakeholder mechanisms in addressing them.