Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global challenge, but they can be turned into reality only if they are translated into concrete local commitments and actions, producing effective change on the ground. This was the key issue debated by local and regional leaders from the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) with top representatives of the United Nations and the European Commission in two workshops held at the CoR on 4 June.
Financing SDGs territorialisation
During the first workshop with representatives from the European Commission and the European Investment Bank, CoR members engaged in a dialogue on overcoming financial barriers to SDG implementation on the ground in the European Union. Regional and local leaders showcased best practices and innovative financing solutions, emphasising the need for enhanced collaboration from EU institutions. They further highlighted the substantial achievements of regions and cities and aimed to reinvigorate dialogue after the CoR's significant contributions to the EU Voluntary Review in 2023, with the aim of achieving them at all levels of governance.
Markku Markkula (FI/EPP), president of the Helsinki Region, said: “The use of SDGs is instrumental in tackling our burning challenges. Systemic EU-wide transformation towards carbon neutrality requires joint commitment and EU financing for collaborative breakthrough initiatives (using partnerships for regional innovation – PRIs). SDGs foster inclusive, transparent governance that empowers citizens to actively participate in shaping their future."
Jaromír Beránek (CZ/Greens), member of the Prague City Council, stated: “For many years now, Prague has been actively implementing its SUMP (Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan), SECAP (Climate Plan) and policies to promote affordable housing and attainable high school education for all citizens. Although we don't work with SDGs on a daily basis, we live them in reality. Sadly, due to a lack of funding, many good projects remain just on paper."
EU-UN Policy Dialogue on SDG Localisation
During a policy dialogue that followed the preceding workshop, local and regional leaders discussed with EU and UN officials the reviewed progress and challenges in SDG localisation on the international level. Participants agreed on a set of joint policy messages and technical cooperation strategies, aligning with upcoming UN milestone events and the new EU leadership's priorities. The event, co-organised with the European Commission and the UN Local2030 coalition, underscored the CoR's commitment to SDG localisation and resulted in actionable insights, including the development of a roadmap for joint initiatives between the EU and the UN through to mid-2025. By focusing on financing opportunities, the dialogue addressed a critical barrier to SDG implementation and set the stage for future cooperation on sustainable development goals.
Patrick Molinoz (FR/PES), vice-president of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region and chair of the CoR's CIVEX commission, said: “Attaining the Sustainable Development Goals requires sustained local anchoring of EU investments and UN interventions. Local and regional authorities must be systematically involved in the political processes and governance of development cooperation, through effective decentralised cooperation. The European Committee of the Regions is a key lever for the success of such cooperation."
Matteo Bianchi (IT/ECR), member of the Local Assembly of Varese, stated: “The role of local and regional authorities is to safeguard subsidiarity and multi-level governance. We want the next EU leadership to focus on tasks with real European added value, as there is a growing impression that the priorities of Brussels-based EU institutions are very distant from the needs of the citizens and entrepreneurs we represent."
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In 2023, the United Nations published the 2023 UN mid-term SDG review, which revealed that the impacts of the climate crisis, the war in Ukraine, a weak global economy, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have caused weaknesses and hindered progress towards the Goals set for 2030. The report further warns that while lack of progress is universal, it is the world's poorest and most vulnerable who are experiencing the worst effects of these global challenges. While highlighting the existing gaps and urging the world to redouble its efforts, the report emphasises that there is immense potential for success, if there is strong political will and if available technologies, resources, and knowledge are used.
As progress towards the SDGs is seriously lagging behind, localising the SDGs – adopting locally sensitive policies that meet the goals set out in the UN's 2030 agenda – is increasingly recognised not only as a success story of sustainable development to date, but also as one of the key accelerators of progress towards the UN's objectives. This reflects the reality that the involvement of local and regional governments is key to achieving nearly two-thirds of the SDGs, but also because their detailed knowledge of needs and their ability to integrate different approaches and responses and tailor them to the realities of their territories. The CoR has long promoted the role of local and regional authorities in development cooperation, particularly through decentralised cooperation.
Contact:
Theresa Sostmann
Tel. +32 475999415
Theresa.Sostmann@cor.europa.eu