Methodology for Evaluating Voluntary Local Reviews

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) developed a mapping framework and findings template to evaluate VLRs. The methodology is based on UN DESA's Global Guiding Elements and adapted to include Canadian-specific priorities, such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and OCAP principles. The framework consists of 11 categories and 101 sub-components. Pilot applications to VLRs from Kelowna, Winnipeg, Espoo, and Malmö indicate that while Canadian cities are making strides in reporting on Indigenous populations, there are significant gaps in disaggregated data and the description of specific local-level efforts to 'leave no one behind'.

• The VLR evaluation methodology is structured around a mapping framework containing 11 categories and 101 sub-components, drawing from UN DESA's Global Guiding Elements and UN Secretary-General's reporting guidelines for VNRs.
• The methodology specifically adapts the 'leave no one behind' (LNOB) principle to the Canadian context by mainstreaming the Indigenous dimension and incorporating instruments such as the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action, and First Nations Ownership, Control, Access, Possession (OCAP) principles.
• Preliminary application of the methodology to VLRs from Kelowna and Winnipeg suggests these cities have made significant progress in reporting on Indigenous and reconciliation issues compared to other cities in countries with Indigenous populations.
• The VLR for Kelowna frames LNOB as an 'Indigenous approach' but acknowledges a lack of focus on other marginalized groups and significant challenges regarding the availability of disaggregated ethnic and racial data.
• Winnipeg's VLR utilizes the 'Peg' community indicator system and commits to re-examining indicators to better reflect Indigenous identity and reconciliation, adhering to OCAP principles for data collection.
• Reviews of European VLRs showed that Espoo (Finland) has comprehensive engagement with marginalized groups and inter-city collaboration, while Malmö (Sweden) uses a dedicated chapter for LNOB and includes qualitative 'community stories' to complement statistical data.
• The document recommends that future VLRs should move beyond the mere recognition of marginalized groups to describe specific local-level approaches to LNOB and provide honest discussions on data availability challenges, especially for Indigenous communities.
• The methodology suggests that VLRs should emphasize Indigenous Peoples as active agents in the identification of priorities and implementation rather than merely as objects of engagement.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (2022). Methodology for Evaluating Voluntary Local Reviews. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-07/vlr-methodology-canada.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Methodology for Evaluating Voluntary Local Reviews. 2022. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-07/vlr-methodology-canada.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Methodology for Evaluating Voluntary Local Reviews |date=July 2022 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-07/vlr-methodology-canada.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopment2022methodology, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Methodology for Evaluating Voluntary Local Reviews}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2022}, month = jul, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-07/vlr-methodology-canada.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }