Knowledge

SDG Learning Module 2: Territorial Planning to Achieve the SDGs

UCLG (2019)

Based on UCLG’s Training for Trainers to localise the SDGs approach, this learning module aims to integrate the SDG principles into local development planning processes. It proposes an active learning format for knowledge sharing workshops and sets forth interactive exercises that allow trainers to include their own creative ideas. The workshop format has been tried and tested by three cities, including Mindelo (Cape Verde), Lleida (Spain) and Madrid.

Global Gender Gap Report 2020

World Economic Forum (2019)

Taking into account that the effectiveness of many policies can be enhanced by respecting and implementing gender-sensitive approaches, gender parity has been included as a core principle in most of the international agendas for sustainable development. But as cultural and socio-economic conditions differ between countries, so does the progress of gender-sensitive policies. The Global Gender Gap Report 2020 provides a detailed overview of the state of play in different countries and highlights how addressing gender gaps today can affect professions in future.

Sustainable Development Report: Blockchain, Web3 & the SDGs

Developed by cryptoeconomics and sustainability researchers of the Vienna University of Business and Economics, this report explores the potential of blockchain networks as a backbone of the Web3 and the cryptoeconomic mechanisms that enable them for SDG implementation. Following the consideration of blockchain networks and their applications, the study provides insights on relevant sustainability issues, potential use-cases and relevant stakeholders. The report concludes by identifying SDG 7 (affordable andclean energy) and SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production) as the most promising cases for the successful application of blockchain in the context of SDG realisation.

Smart Cities Study 2019

UCLG (2019)

What characterises a smart city? How can smart cities be designed and set-up? How does Smart Governance work? UCLG’s Community of Practice on Digital Cities third edition of the Smart Cities Study identifies both open government as well as the advancement of strategic management as key factors in the transformation of smart cities. Overall the insights from 24 cities are used to provide concrete recommendations on how to improve Smart Governance by cities, both in the field of open government, and in advanced strategic management.

Profit with Purpose: The Role of Business in Achieving Sustainable Development

IIED (2020)

The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) has recently launched a new blog and interview series to explore how the activities of entrepreneurs can contribute to sustainable development. Taking into consideration that the economy can be one of the driving factors for fair employment, sustainable energy consumption or circular production chains, among others, these blogs and interviews examine how financial and business communities are seeking to balance profit with social and environmental impact and are thereby contributing to SDG implementation.

Mozambique Economic Update: Mind the Rural Investment Gap

World Bank (2019)

Mozambique faces strong rural and urban disparities concerning its infrastructure. A large part of the country’s population is restricted in their access to basic services. This edition of the Mozambique Economic Update provides government officials and international development partners with guidelines for developing economic policies to address these disparities. Moreover, it presents recommendations concerning the distribution of funds allocated to the public investment programme.

The Link Between Decentralization and EU Integration

New Europe Center, ZOiS (2020)

The Ukrainian decentralisation process poses a key challenge to the country’s integration into the European Union. But how can the EU actively support EU membership candidates in fulfilling the EU’s requirements? Together with the New Europe Center, the Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS) examines this question. Their regional analysis conducted by local experts in combination with a comparative analysis including interviews with key regional actors illustrates in detail which concepts have been successful thus far and what crucial obstacles remain.

Cote d’Ivoire: Modernising Social Protection and Labor Policies for Inclusive Growth

World Bank (2019)

Published by the World Bank this policy paper assesses to what extent the government’s spending policies and institutional conduct have been able to positively affect the poorest households in Cote d’Ivoire. Organised in three sections, the paper starts by presenting current Social Protection and Labour Policies programmes. The second section focusses on carving out options on how to improve policies, while the third section presents a framework to introduce reforms. Questions concerning the field of political economy such as fiscal implications and distributional effects from the proposed reforms are covered as well as considerations for structuring the social dialogue on these reforms.

A Territorial Approach to the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs in Action WUF 2020

OECD 2020

Sub-national governments play a crucial role in successfully achieving the 17 SDGs of the 2030 Agenda. 105 of 169 SDG targets cannot be reached without their involvement. Therefore, a territorial approach focussed on decentralising the international development agenda to hand capacities over to local governments is essential. The report introduces the OECD Localised Indicator Framework to provide measures for the progress of 600 regions and 600 cities for reaching the SDG’s targets. A checklist for public action serves as a guiding tool for policy makers focusing on this territorial approach.

European Handbook for SDG Voluntary Local Reviews

European Commission (2020) Launched at the 10th World Urban Forum in Abu Dhabi, the European Handbook for SDG Voluntary Reviews presents policy makers, researchers and practitioners with an innovative framework specifically designed for conducting Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) in European cities. Initially introduced to recognize the key role of cities for promoting sustainable development, VLRs have become an important means to track the progress of local SDG implementation. To aid this process, the Handbook provides guidance to European cities by presenting useful examples of official and experimental indicators to devise effective local SDG monitoring systems tailored to local circumstances. The Handbook is divided into three parts. Chapter 1 introduces the concept of VLRs and outlines the main challenges for local authorities concerning their design. The second part of the Handbook features examples of harmonised and locally collected indicators for each of the 17 SDG Goals. This allows local actors to compare themselves and their progress with other cities and to keep track of their own specific needs and challenges. Part three reflects on the current state of affairs concerning past implementation of VLRs and presents considerations concerning a number of issues relevant to local SDG monitoring. The Handbook concludes by setting forth aspects to be considered for the future implementation and development of the VLR process.

The Handbook can be accessed here: