In 2017, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and China Foundation Center (CFC) jointly launched the “Philanthropy for Sustainable Development in China” initiative. Its purpose is to better understand and explore how China’s philanthropic sector supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – which aim to end poverty, reduce inequality and ensure our planet can sustain future generations by the year 2030.

As part of that initiative, this report presents the progress of China’s philanthropic sector in facilitating these goals, analysing examples of charitable projects across multiple sectors. This includes examining which approaches were effective and why, as well as unexpected challenges encountered and what can be done to overcome these in future. It also provides lessons and recommendations for policy advocacy, enhanced collaboration and boosting SDG financing.

Achieving the necessary funding to deliver on the 2030 Agenda requires strong partnerships between the United Nations (UN), governments, private sector and civil society, in which philanthropy plays a major role. With enough data made available, foundations can offer an effective lens to observe the philanthropic sector’s engagement in China’s efforts to meet the SDGs.