SDGs In Action: Mogilev Oblast’s Experience in Achieving the Global Goals

With nearly $3 million in support, UNDP, in collaboration with national partners, is driving green innovation, healthcare advancements, and economic development in Belarus’s Mogilev Oblast.

May 14, 2025

Lush green plants line a narrow walkway in a greenhouse, with sunlight filtering through. — Photo: UNDP Belarus

Over the past 8 years, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has supported Mogilev Oblast in its pursuit of sustainable development, integrating innovative technology, environmental stewardship, economic development, and social inclusion to foster a more sustainable and equitable future for the region.

A cornerstone of this effort has been the region's adoption of the Regional Sustainable Development Strategy through 2035 - a roadmap currently being updated to 2040 in partnership with UNDP to align regional policies with the UN’s 2030 Agenda.

At the heart of UNDP’s work lies a commitment to sustainability. With a total budget of nearly USD 3 million and support from international development, national, and local partners, UNDP has implemented 76 projects (67 completed, 9 ongoing) addressing issues ranging from solar energy to adaptive sports for visually impaired individuals.

Toward a Green Transition

UNDP’s environmental focus has driven tangible changes across the region. Since 2017, the Mogilev region has seen solar panels installed on public buildings, energy-efficient retrofits in housing, and eco-tourism initiatives that protect nature while creating green jobs and utilizing green technologies.

In the Bykhov district, the Chigirinka ecotourism cluster, uniting 10 local providers, introduced 20 new nature-based services, including e-taxi and e-delivery, and cut annual CO₂ emissions by 9.6 tons using e-technologies.

Urban green spaces have expanded, and community-led environmental monitoring systems now empower local communities to safeguard water quality and air safety. Additionally, 32 school extracurricular classes educate children about the environment, instilling nature conservation values from an early age.

However, UNDP’s impact extends beyond environmental initiatives.

Tech Meets Tradition

Mogilev’s agricultural sector is embracing innovation. A network of gardening nurseries "Green Garden Economy for the Future of the Village", including 10 nurseries across 4 districts promotes rural entrepreneurship, with 183 local people trained in sustainable gardening practices. Farmers are learning precision farming techniques, using autopilot systems and agri-tech tools to enhance productivity while minimizing waste. At least 200 children (minimum 50% of them are girls) participated in precision agriculture training.

Digital literacy is another key area of UNDP’s work in the region. Regional youth will be mastering 3D modeling and augmented reality, skills that can connect them to global tech markets.

Innovation for Inclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for agile responses. During the pandemic's peak, UNDP supported local healthcare systems, delivering critical resources to local communities. UNDP helped purchase USD 1 million worth of medical equipment to help doctors and nurses at the Mogilev Regional Clinical Hospital fight the COVID-19 pandemic. This investment continues to save lives and enhance healthcare delivery in the region today. Furthermore, a new initiative at least 300 medical students will be trained in AI-driven diagnostics, a significant advancement in healthcare education that could transform medical service delivery.

Inclusive education is a fundamental aspect of the ongoing projects. In partnership with schools, the SDGs initiatives aim to create accessible playgrounds for children with disabilities and train educators in special needs support. UNDP also helps advance adaptive sports for people with disabilities by certifying coaches and referees under internationally recognized standards.

A new Gender Equality Center in Mogilev’s capital is challenging stereotypes while advocating for women’s rights, part of a broader effort to advance equality of women and men.

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

All these initiatives align with the UN’s 2030 Agenda, which UNDP has helped localize in Mogilev Oblast.

Regional planners now integrate SDGs into infrastructure and economic policies, ensuring that growth is both inclusive and environmentally sustainable. Online SDG courses and public awareness campaigns aim to turn Global Goals into everyday realities.

UNDP’s work underscores Mogilev Oblast’s commitment to sustainable development. From solar panels to AI-driven medicine, the region is positioning itself as a hub of innovation and positive change.

With 9 ongoing initiatives deepening their impact, UNDP’s partnerships with Mogilev Oblast may serve as a model for how local communities and international partners can work together for better results.