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Mayor Berry Vrbanovic welcomed The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, to the City of Kitchener’s SDG Idea Factory in Downtown Kitchener earlier today.

“Canada has a firm commitment to advancing climate action, creating inclusive communities, and building a better world for everyone. That’s what Kitchener’s SDG Idea Factory is all about. Home to some of Canada’s brightest entrepreneurs and community organizations, the hub brings innovators together to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges,” said The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.

The SDG Idea Factory is the only North American location of a Local 4 Action Hub by United Cities & Local Governments (UCLG). It is a first-of-its-kind entrepreneurship hub in Canada that supports the development of new start-ups and small businesses focused on social and environmental innovation and equity deserving entrepreneurs who collaborate and activate the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

“What an honour to welcome the Prime Minister back to Kitchener and to have him learn more about the incredible work of the entrepreneurs and social innovators that are collaborating and learning together to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, who also serves as Co-President of UCLG. “Kitchener is proud to be a Canadian city that is helping lead the way in this global movement, including our focus on building a better planet, with this first-of-its-kind SDG Idea Factory.” 

The SDG Idea Factory works in close partnership with local organizations including LiftOff by CCAWR, Waterloo Region Community Foundation, For Us Girls Foundation, Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest and the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre. Since opening in May 2023, the SDG Idea Factory is already experiencing a shift in the clients they are serving with an increase in equity-deserving entrepreneurs seeking support to incubate and scale their business while integrating the SDGs.

“Our City is committed to supporting the implementation of the SDGs in Canada and internationally. That’s why the five goal areas of our new City of Kitchener strategic plan deeply align with making local progress towards the SDGs,” said Mayor Vrbanovic. “The entrepreneurs that met with the Prime Minister today are having a real impact on making our community, our country and the world a better place for all.”

“As we begin International Development Week in just a few days, I encourage businesses and communities across Canada to join in on this pursuit of a better future. Sustainable development is about working towards healthy communities, clean air, and a strong future – and every Canadian has a part to play,” said Prime Minister Trudeau.

To learn more about the SDG Idea Factory, visit www.SDGideaFactory.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Shannon Weber 
Chief of Staff
City of Kitchener
Shannon.Weber@kitchener.ca