In 2017, Costa Rica made its first Voluntary National Report (VNR) regarding SDGs implementation accordingly with the guidelines given by the UN.
The report collected several sources to base its finding and directed the formulation of the first draft. Then, this draft was shared with several non-governmental organizations in several workshops, oriented to have their feedback; allowing the Technical Secretariat to adjust, incorporate or eliminate what was not considered accurate, or incorporate when different criteria specifications must be required.

Present a shared GO-NGO Voluntary National Report

Representatives from Non-Government Institutions, Religious groups, private sector groups, Legislative branch, Legal branch, Electoral court, Obudsmen, Academia and local governments; as well as specific populations such as LGBTIQ groups.

The formulation process included these phases: information gathering; preparation process; design of forms of progress of the SDGs; document collection, interviews and consultations. Details can be clarified within the document section “Design of the Voluntary National Review”

A first experience of a single version of the a VNR regarding SDGs, instead of a GO report and umbrella NGOs reports.

Considering that Costa Rica has gathered the stakeholders that were members of the National Pact for the SDGs implementation in 2016 within a governance structure, the coordination to formulate the report was easier considering that the different sectors have already defined who will be their representative and which coordination, steering and communication mechanisms have been defined.

This experience has shown that a single national accountability is possible and desirable, specially considering that the report gathered also de vision of NGOs, setting a good practices for future experiences.

Single national reports are feasible and comprehensive.
A report based on SDG indicators will be a more accurate tool for accountabilty. The 2017 VNR did not include them considering that were already officialised.

The report is available in this link: http://ods.cr/sites/default/files/documentos/informepaisods_costa_rica-ingles.pdf