From Global Goals to Local Impact: The Power of SDG Localization

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of global aims to create a more equitable and sustainable future. While these goals are global in scope, their success depends on local action and knowledge. It is estimated that about 65% of SDG targets directly relate to the work of local and regional governments. This means we need to speed up efforts to make the work at the local level and give communities and local authorities the power to drive sustainable development.

To achieve this, the Joint SDG Fund (“the Fund”) and the Local2030 Coalition (“the Local2030”) have come together to identify, support, and scale-up local solutions through a dedicated SDG Localization portfolio. By leveraging the UN system’s expertise and mobilizing a broad ecosystem of partners, these efforts are helping to advance the SDGs from the ground up.

To ensure that local action is a priority across its investments, the Fund and the Local2030 created an innovative SDG Localization marker. This tool helps identify and track projects that focus on making SDGs work locally. The marker has integrated local lens and impact into the design of 123 joint programmes. Beyond the dedicated SDG Localization funding round, the marker has identified 11 more joint programmes with SDG localization as a central objective, resulting in an additional $23 million dedicated to supporting local solutions that empower local communities and authorities. 

The joint programmes under the SDG Localization portfolio aim to translate global goals into tailored local actions. This includes: raising awareness and getting local stakeholders involved; developing integrated local policies; building platforms for different levels of government to work together; improving local data systems to track SDG progress by identifying local funding for SDG projects; building local skills to increase ownership; and putting gender equality at the heart of all local efforts. 

"Use the Local 2030 Coalition to unlock new opportunities for change. Through the UN Joint SDG Fund, supported by the Government of Spain, 30 UN country teams are already integrating SDG transitions." Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary- General. UN Summit of the Future, 2024

Note:

All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and our private sector funding partners, for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.