The Working Groups
DISCOVER’s equity and environment working groups had regular meetings for over two years (2020-2023) to collaboratively vision a positive future for the region, identify targets that would indicate success in achieving that vision, as well as brainstorming key indicators and data sources. They also began to map regional assets by identifying organizations and programs creating change. 60 targets identified describe a regional vision that applies to 10 of the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The infrastructure and health working groups met in the fall of 2023, and executed a refined process to create regional vision around additional sustainability topics.
Successes:
Equity considerations were integrated across all regional discussions. Not only did the equity working group have a broad range of perspectives and expertise across many types of lived experience and equitable practices, but the other working groups did as well, with the work of all working groups guided by the equity vision statement: [EQUITY VISION STATEMENT]
DISCOVER intentionally brought inclusive, cross-sector groups of stakeholders together for all four working groups and during the UNTITLED project (see below) to discuss sustainability in a way that encouraged collaboration and understanding and created outcomes and learnings that would not have been possible in any other way.
Because of resource constraints, robust data collection has not been possible around most of the key indicators identified. Using existing datasets that can be accessed through the larger DISCOVER network, it was possible for the working groups to develop a few data-driven regional narratives. This regional story-telling is a beginning to using shared data to draw conclusions about sustainability in the region, and help identify gaps. Bi-directional learning between the network and the organizations of which it is composed will also help support the work of partner networks and organizations. With further development, such narratives can inform positive policy change and other interventions leading to a more sustainable, vibrant, and equitable region.
Together the working groups have prioritized the identification of many indicators that we can track with existing data sets in order to leverage and better connect the resources we already have in the region.
A tremendous amount of work has been accomplished, thanks to the leadership and dedicated effort of the steering committee. Despite the hurdles of scheduling Zoom meetings (at the onset of Covid-19), starting a new complex undertaking, and building new relationships at a time when in person gatherings were still off the table, participants still showed up with their ideas, expertise, and enthusiasm. In doing so, they not only helped articulate regional UN SDG targets and indicators, they built trust with one another and the foundation for this work.
We have a replicable process that can be used by dozens and dozens of facilitators across southwestern Pennsylvania to align our efforts and resources, and use data to provide shared understanding, strategies, and narratives. Our experience has been shared nationally and internationally during a presentation at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)-Lumina Foundation side-event during the High-level Political Forum and through the Untitled Pittsburgh Partnership. The resulting outcomes are forecasted to support informed decisions and actions, enhance fluency and literacy to use data to instigate change, and cultivate a network with a common feeling of agency and solidarity. Looking ahead to the longer term outcomes, the DISCOVER project can improve targets, enhance cross-sector investments, increase feelings of accountability, engagement and empowerment, and grow a culture of data use to measure and manage positive change for our communities. Our region’s decision-makers will then be more equipped to take stances – and action – on the issues that matter most to our communities. Our system will work more effectively in ensuring an equitable and sustainable future for Southwestern Pennsylvania.
The Untitled Pittsburgh Partnership
In 2022, a cohort of DISCOVER members participated in a six month partnership with the global Untitled Alliance. This unique collaboration between the DISCOVER network and Untitled, an initiative of the Finnish nonprofit think tank Demos Helsinki, aimed to align the learning, coordination, and resourcing of a cohort of Pittsburgh nonprofits. As a result of this imaginative process, participants left with new approaches to systems thinking for more intentional collaboration/coalition building; bold, new ideas; and with a fascinating introduction of the foresight and futures disciplines.
The project resulted in the creation of an approach to coalition work as well as identifying what is needed to activate it.
