The C20 Grassroots Survey 2023, was a major international effort to gather data about the challenges faced by communities worldwide. This project was conducted under the vision of our Chancellor, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, The findings contributed to policy recommendations aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), bridging the gap between civil society and global leaders.
The C20 Grassroots Survey identified 11 main problem domains faced by communities worldwide: Basic Needs, Financial Vulnerability, Health Issues, Health Risks Related to Lifestyle, Social Disconnect, Limitations to Self-Fulfillment, Dissatisfaction with Public Services and Infrastructure, Experiences of Environmental Threats and Feelings of Insecurity. To ensure inclusivity, the survey was translated into various languages and supported by trained social workers.
Volunteers : 427 Social workers from 43 countries
Responses
Nations
At the very beginning of C20 India, in November 2022, we launched a massive consultation by email, including to all Indian NGO’s, CSO’s working with the UN Agencies and Embassies around the world, and to all our contacts worldwide. We asked to indicate the top 3 areas they believed should be priorities. The main themes mentioned as civil society’s priority areas were: education, health, women’s empowerment, development, environment, as per the representation below:
Organizations
Countries
Responses
The results of the survey were used to inform C20 policy recommendations and reinforced the importance of involving ordinary citizens in data gathering for SDG progress. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s active role in facilitating this global survey exemplifies its commitment to sustainable development, community research, and fostering international collaboration to address key issues facing societies worldwide.
| SDG | Key Insights |
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Significant financial vulnerability and basic needs deficits across regions highlight the urgent need for economic support and poverty alleviation strategies. |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being | High levels of suboptimal health, inadequate access to healthcare, and lifestyle-related health risks emphasize the importance of public health initiatives and improved healthcare infrastructure. |
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Environmental threats and dissatisfaction with infrastructure suggest the necessity for improved water management and better sanitation facilities. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Financial constraints, insufficient pay, and the need to work multiple jobs indicate a need for policies supporting fair wages and job stability. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Social disconnect and limitations to self-fulfillment reveal disparities in opportunities and resources, highlighting the need for inclusive policies to reduce inequality within and among countries. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Dissatisfaction with public services and infrastructure highlights challenges in urban and rural development, reinforcing the need for sustainable planning and resilient infrastructure. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Reports of environmental threats underscore the growing impact of climate change, emphasizing the urgency of collective global action to mitigate these challenges. |
The grassroots survey provided insights for compiling the policy recommendations for Civil 20 India 2023.
Amrita at UNITWIN/ UNESCO Chairs Conference: Transforming Knowledge for Just and Sustainable Futures
Amrita’s UNESCO Chair on Experiential Learning for Sustainable Innovation and Development and UNESCO Chair on Womens Empowerment and Gender Equality take part in the UNITWIN/ UNESCO Chairs Conference – 30th anniversary celebrations in Paris.
Chairs from:
Australia, Africa, Canada, South America, Europe, Asia, and the USA
