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 – ie. 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 from 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 knowledge and methodology, continuous learning and technical exchanges across national and local governments and relevant partners committed to transformative change through localization. TThe Partnership Platform fosters wider exchanges with complementary initiatives, contributing to the mandate and work of the Local2030 Coalition, the UN system-wide initiative on localizing Agenda 2030. Moreover, it contributes the strategic objectives of Mattei Plan, the Italian strategic initiative for partnering with Africa.

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

Data Gap: Lack of 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 & Finance Gap: Inadequate funding and limited local capacities 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 inclusive prosperity and enhance quality of life for all by strengthening the effectiveness of national delivery of sustainable development. It aims to do so by transforming:

Multilevel governance systems anchored on policy coherence for sustainable development.
Cities and local governments' capacities to plan, invest, and deliver inclusive public services, informed by local data and community needs.
Cooperation and partnerships through continuous learning, knowledge development, and exchanges at the international level.

What are NATIONAL SDG Localization Frameworks?

The comprehensive set of policies, governance structures, financial mechanisms and initiatives required to accelerate the localization of the SDGs. National SDG Localization Frameworks help National Governments:

Improving coherence, effectiveness, and impact of national sustainable development efforts.
Identifying and implementing projects with high environmental and social impact at the local level.

What does the Partnership Platform OFFER?

The Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs combines technical support with knowledge innovation and technical engagement at the international level, with the objective of creating a virtuous and continuous flow of exchanges from the local to the national and international levels, and back. Specifically, the Partnership Platform focuses on:

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.

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

With WHOM does the Partnership Platform work?

Members: National governments and national institutions are eligible to become members of the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs, joining a community of partners committed to advancing SDG localization through National SDG Localization Frameworks. Governments can express their interest in joining the Partnership Platform through written communication addressed to UN-Habitat and MASE. Membership is formalized through the signing of a Letter of Intent.

Partners: The Partnership Platform collaborates with relevant partners to develop knowledge, deliver support and facilitate continuous learning on localization, multilevel governance and policy coherence for sustainable development.

The Partnership Platform articulates its work with the SDG Cities Initiative to deliver tailored support to cities and communities. In addition, it aims to contribute to the work and mandate of the Local2030 Coalition, the main global initiative and UN-System-wide platform on localizing Agenda 2030.

How to Join

Governments can formally join the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs by signing a Letter of Intent together with UN-Habitat and MASE. This Letter expresses a non-binding commitment to work collaboratively within the framework of the Partnership Platform. There are no financial obligations associated with membership.

Responsibilities of Members

Member National Governments are invited to:

Collaborating in sharing their experience on the design and implementation of National SDG Localization Frameworks;
Participating in technical exchanges and policy dialogues;
Sharing experiences and engaging in the Platform's Annual Meetings and advocacy moments;
Facilitating dialogue with national partners and institutions.

Next Opportunities to Join

The next official moment to become member of the Partnership Platform will be the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in July 2025 in New York, where national governments can sign Letters of Intent during the High Level Meeting of the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs hosted by Italy during the HLPF ministerial meeting (July 21-23). Additional opportunities will be available at COP30 in Brazil (November 2025) and through regional or national engagements.

Contact

For expressions of interest and further information, please contact:

📧 sdglocalization.unhabitat@un.org

Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE)

Visit MASE Website