The Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs

Jointly promoted by the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security and UN-Habitat, the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs is an operational initiative designed to accelerate the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals at the country level.

Anchored in the principles of multilevel governance and policy coherence for sustainable development, the overarching vision of the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs is to enhance the coherence, effectiveness and impact of national-to-local delivery of sustainable development.

To do so, the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs supports national governments in designing and implementing National SDG Localization Frameworks – the comprehensive set of policies, governance mechanisms, initiatives, and resources required to localize the SDGs – i.e. to translate national sustainable development efforts into concrete implementation and transformative change on the ground.

In parallel, the Partnership Platform provides tailored local-level support to local governments and stakeholders to enhance their capacities for better data management, planning, and investment – coordinating with the SDG Cities approach and network.

A core objective of the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs is to facilitate the identification, development, and funding of high-impact projects at the local level, starting with close coordination with the Italian Environmental Bilateral Cooperation, thus contributing to close the local-level financing gap.

At the international level, the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs promotes the development of cutting-edge methodologies, knowledge sharing, continuous learning, and technical exchanges among national and local governments, as well as key partners engaged in implementing National SDG Localization Frameworks and driving transformative change through localization.

This is carried out in close coordination with, and as a contribution to, the work and mandate of the Local2030 Coalition—the UN system-wide initiative on localizing the 2030 Agenda. In addition, the Partnership Platform supports the strategic objectives of the Mattei Plan, the Italian strategic initiative for partnering with Africa..

What are the CHALLENGES the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs aims to tackle?

Knowledge Gap: Lack of knowledge, including disaggregated data, limits understanding of challenges and hinders progress tracking at all levels.
Coherence & Decision-Making Gap: Disconnect between national and local policies reduces coherence, effectiveness and overall impact of sustainable development efforts.
Implementation Gap: Limited local capacities, including inadequate funding, weaken overall national delivery and efforts to advance progress and sustainable development.

What are the TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGES the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs aims to achieve?

The Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs aims to promote shared prosperity by strengthening the effectiveness of national delivery of sustainable development. Concretely, it aims to do so by accompanying national governments in the creation of National SDG Localization Frameworks, including tailored support to local governments and the identification and funding of projects with the highest impact at the local level.

Through the promotion of National SDG Localization Frameworks, the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs contributes to improving:

Effective multilevel governance systems anchored on policy coherence for sustainable development.
Cities and local governments' capacities to assess, plan, invest, and deliver inclusive public services for the well-being of local communities.
Local-level financing by facilitating the identification, development and funding of high-impact projects.

What are NATIONAL SDG Localization Frameworks?

The set of national policies, governance mechanisms, initiatives and resources that National Governments should put in place to accelerate the localization of the SDGs.

National SDG Localization Frameworks enhance the coherence, effectiveness, and impact of national efforts to deliver sustainable development.

They help identify and implement projects with the highest environmental and social impact at the local level.

What does the Partnership Platform OFFER?

The Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs combines national and local level technical support with knowledge, peer-learning and technical engagement at the international level, with the objective of creating a virtuous flow of exchanges from the local to the national and international levels, and back. This is carried out in close coordination with the Local2030 Coalition and specifically aimed at providing:

Methodologies and Tools: for developing National SDG Localization Frameworks.
Capacity Building: tailored packages for national and local governments.
Knowledge and Normative Material: including research, policy briefs, and reviews of inspiring practices.
Advocacy: Facilitating peer learning and technical exchanges at the international level.
Cooperation and partnerships: among national governments and partners.

The Partnership Platform, its members and partners, gather annually on the occasion of the High-Level Political Forum or other relevant events.

WHO does the Partnership Platform work with?

National governments and national institutions can join the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs process, accessing engagement opportunities and technical advice to advance National SDG Localization Frameworks. Governments can express their interest in joining the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs through written communication addressed to UN-Habitat and MASE.

The Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs also collaborates with relevant implementing partners to develop knowledge, deliver support and facilitate continuous learning on localization, multilevel governance and policy coherence for sustainable development.

How to get involved

Express your interest in joining the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs by reaching out to us!

Contact

📧 sdglocalization.unhabitat@un.org, aeif-udg@mase.gov.it

Printable Partnership Platform Brochure

Visit The Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Website