Université Côte d'Azur's ODD 17

ODD 17, the last of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, is a bit special. It doesn't focus on one specific issue like the other SDGs, but rather on how to achieve them all together. SDG 17 emphasizes the importance of partnerships between the various players in society: governments, businesses, civil society organizations and so on. These partnerships are essential to mobilize the necessary resources, share knowledge and implement innovative solutions to the challenges of sustainable development. In short, SDG 17 is the glue that binds all the other SDGs together, promoting cooperation and solidarity between nations and peoples. It recognizes that no one person can tackle global challenges alone, and that we must work together to build a better future for all.

Université Côte d'Azur works closely with numerous local, national and international NGOs and public bodies to implement a concerted, complementary and effective sustainable development policy. Students and young researchers are involved in discussions and projects carried out on site and around the world. This concerted effort is built on a cross-sectoral approach based on common sustainable development objectives. Sharing data and results with partners is an essential aspect of these collaborations, as is the exchange of ideas and best practices.

In particular, the establishment aims to bring the voice, tools and methods of its community to international negotiation forums, to strengthen the place of science in diplomacy. But above all, through its strategic international partnerships, it has a real capacity to promote the development of meeting interfaces between political players, academics and civil society. To this end, the University strives to make data specific to its actions relating to the SDGs accessible online and by presenting the results of its work at public events.

Similarly, as part of its partnerships to achieve the goals, Université Côte d'Azur has implemented an ambitious policy to encourage academic and scientific cooperation with southern countries, including, but not limited to, capacity-building in low-income countries.
Finally, Université Côte d'Azur has decided to make education about the SDGs a compulsory component for undergraduate students, whatever their field of study. In addition to cross-disciplinary training modules, Université Côte d'Azur has developed specific courses on sustainable development in response to environmental challenges. Numerous initiatives are offered in parallel to students, schoolchildren and local communities to raise awareness of the challenges of sustainable development.

OTECCA: The Observatoire de la Transition Écologique et Citoyenne Côte d'Azur (OTECCA) is an interface between the academic world and societal players to promote ecological transition in the Alpes-Maritimes. It carries out Participatory Action Research (PAR) projects and acts both as a territorial Observatory to collect data and as a "Science Boutique" to support local initiatives. OTECCA, founded in 2018, promotes the values of sharing, impact and respect, using collective intelligence tools to co-construct projects with various stakeholders. Officially recognized in 2021, it is organized around a Scientific Council and a Steering Committee.


Eco-responsible mission: Université Côte d'Azur's "Eco-responsible campuses and laboratories" mission, created in 2018, reports to the Vice-President of University and Campus Life. Comprising civic service volunteers, interns, student communications contracts, and a master composter, it aims to unite the university community around eco-responsible projects. Working with students, staff volunteers and associations, the mission promotes sustainable actions by raising awareness of environmental issues, encouraging behavioral change and fostering innovation. It relies on the 5R methodology (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Give back to the earth) to reduce waste and promote the circular economy.


IMREDD : IMREDD (Institut Méditerranéen du Risque de l'Environnement et du Développement Durable), created in January 2020, is an Institute for Innovation and Partnerships (2IP) focused on creating smart, resilient territories in the face of environmental challenges. It focuses on four Strategic Business Areas: energy (smart buildings and neighborhoods), mobility, risks, and the environment, placing people at the heart of smart city projects. The institute's mission is to encourage partnership research and knowledge transfer, while developing initial and continuing training to strengthen expertise and innovation within companies.


International program and Europe: Université Côte d'Azur promotes scientific diplomacy to integrate science into international negotiations, facilitating dialogue between political players, academics and civil society. It entrusts these missions to the Idex International and Europe Program. As a founding member of the U7+ Alliance, which brings together university presidents from the G7 and other countries representing over 2 million students, the University also contributes to the Coalition des Universités Engagées pour le Climat and collaborates with the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie on projects such as the Science for Climate Pavilion. Since 2021, it has been involved in the UNFCCC COPs and runs the Science for Climate Pavilion. It also supports UNESCO Chairs, notably in ethics and peace and development, thus strengthening its international partnerships.