Aligning SDG and EA through effective SDG

Hello EA Forum,

I am working on Effective SDG, a project to broaden the reach of Effective Altruism (EA) and improve global progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This initiative aims to:

1. Redirect donations to high-impact organizations assessed by meta-EA evaluators (e.g., GiveWell, The Life You Can Save). (current goal)
2. Build a community of people interested in addressing the SDGs effectively, using EA principles and represent EA at the U.N for the elaboration of the 2030+ agenda. (big opportunity, big investment, possibly high impact)

I am seeking advice, feedback, and volunteers—e.g. website designers, community builders, and international development professionals—to help refine and expand this project.

The Problem

EA has demonstrated success in optimizing philanthropy but remains relatively niche. The SDGs, though widely adopted, often lack effective prioritization and evidence-based approaches.

1. Many SDG efforts are inefficient or underfunded, while EA principles can guide resources toward measurable, impactful solutions.
2. There is a low adoption of SDG from ea organisation - no mention on givewell and the life you can save at my knowledge although they are tackling SDGs
3. EA’s integration into SDG networks can build legitimacy, foster collaboration, and attract talent and funding to shared goals.
4. With the 2030 Agenda approaching its deadline, there is an opportunity for EA to influence the design of the next global goals framework (starting around 2027).

Our Objectives

For the General Public

• Long-term Goal: Introduce EA principles to individuals and organizations working on SDGs.
• Means:
  • A user-friendly website simplifying effective approaches to SDGs and encouraging donations to high-impact charities.
  • Promote EA principles in schools, development organizations, and government initiatives.
• Metrics for Success:
  • Website traffic, engagement rates, and donation conversions.
  • Growth of a community interested in EA-aligned SDG efforts 

For the EA Community

• Long-term Goal: Strengthen EA’s role in tackling SDGs.
• Means:
  • Gather feedback from the EA community to improve the website’s relevance and usability.
  • Leverage EA events to promote and refine the platform.
  • Facilitate collaboration between EA organizations and UN bodies. (2 - figure 1)
• Metrics for Success:
  • Increased use of the website by EA members.
  • Partnerships or participation in SDG-related policy discussions (e.g., UN forums). (2)

Key Strategies

1. Promote EA Principles in the SDG Space
   • Use the website as a gateway to EA concepts for SDG practitioners.
   • Create tailored content (e.g., case studies, webinars) to show the alignment between EA and SDG goals.
2. Foster Collaboration with the UN and Other Networks (2)
   • Develop partnerships between EA organizations and UN workers.
   • Showcase EA’s value in shaping cost-effective and evidence-based SDG initiatives.
3. Prepare for the Post-2030 Agenda (2)
   • Position EA to contribute to the design of the next global goals framework, advocating for data-driven, high-impact solutions. E.g. finance research ?

Assumptions and Risks

• Assumptions:
  1. The SDG community is open to learning from EA principles.
  2. EA and SDG goals are largely compatible.
  3. The UN and affiliated organizations are willing to collaborate with EA.
  4. The EA community is willing to collaborate with the U.N
• Risks:
  1. Resistance from SDG practitioners who view EA as overly utilitarian or incompatible.
  2. Potential reputational risks for EA (e.g., scandals like FTX magnifying scrutiny).
  3. Resource diversion: Collaboration with the UN may be less effective than other approaches.

Mitigation: Begin with low-risk partnerships, maintain transparency, and align messaging to link EA and SDG audience.

Engaging Stakeholders

1. EA Community: Refine and co-develop the website, provide feedback, and advocate for the initiative.
2. Public, Governments, and Businesses: Use the platform to promote impactful giving and integrate EA into broader development discussions.
3. UN and International Organizations: Build relationships to influence policy and shape future global goals. (2)

Metrics for Success

1. Website Engagement: Track visits, donation redirections, and feedback from users.
2. Community Building: Measure the number of volunteers and organizations engaging with the project.
3. Policy Influence: Gain opportunities to contribute to UN discussions and influence post-2030 global goals. (2)

Call to Action

This project is still in its early stages, and I need your help to make it a success. You can fill this form or comment on this post to help me gauge interest and improve the project. 

• Volunteer: If you’re a website designer, community builder, or have experience in international development, and you are interested in helping this project grow please reach out your expertise is invaluable.
• Advise: Share your thoughts—what’s missing, what could be improved, and how best to engage the SDG and EA communities. I would love to have advice on the website and/or the TOC. There is a big uncertainty in which goal should be pursued. Trying to collaborate at the U.N level (Goal (2) TOC) could be a high-risk high reward path. It would necessitate a lot of work and money and a fast expansion of ESDG. How "cost-effective" do you believe the 2nd goal is? Is it worth a try? Why? Why not?
• Collaborate: It is a bit early but if you are interested, please contact me 😊 

Here is the first version of the website: https://www.effectivesdg.ch/

Contact: [email protected] or directly through the website

Thank you for your time and insights!