The case studies presented in this companion volume complement the Development Co‑operation Report 2018: Joining forces to leave no one behind. They are a source of knowledge and lessons on the multiple, broad and varied, mainstreamed, targeted and co‑ordinated ways that poor, vulnerable and marginalised people can be included in and benefit from sustainable development. The case studies, which were contributed by official development co-operation ministries and agencies, international organisations, developing country governments, civil society organisations, business, and research bodies reflect diverse actions, investments and approaches to answering the pledge of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to leave no one behind.

In 2015, United Nations Member States endorsed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – a transformative global agenda integrating economic, social and environmental development within 17 interdependent Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Central to the 2030 Agenda is the pledge to meet these goals for all, leaving no one behind, and endeavouring to reach the furthest behind first. In spite of this commitment, growing inequalities - of income, wealth, access to basic needs in terms of food, shelter and clothing, but also to sanitation, education, healthcare, justice and human rights – are constraining the achievement of real, visible and long-lasting development. Failure to achieve leave no one behind constitutes a major stumbling block to the achievement of the entire set of global goals and their vision for a shared future as set in the 2030 Agenda.