05.06.2025 / Perspectives

Among the 37 countries whose VNRs were reviewed, only seven reports mentioned the role local communities can play in achieving the Agenda 2030 and its SDGs. A total of 63 VNRs were scrutinized to assess countries’ recognition of the importance of local communities in SDG implementation, revealing a need for action. Based on the analysis of Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) from European states since 2015, local communities appear to play a minor role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Agenda 2030.

Authors: Lutz Drieling, M.A.

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The way countries speak about local communities can be categorized into three approaches. The first approach refers to the importance of the SDGs and the actions of local authorities for the development of the local communities. The second approach mentions local communities as part of projects, and the third approach mentions the importance of local communities in fulfilling the SDGs. European governments that mention communities in their VNRs talk about local communities in two or even all three ways. This expert comment reviews the way European Governments refer to local communities in their VNRs to make an important point. While local communities are essential to achieving the SDGs, they are only marginally acknowledged and engaged by national governments in their approaches to meeting the SDGs. In what follows, I will review the three ways in which European governments mention local communities in their VNRs and draw several conclusions.

The first approach mentions the importance of the SDGs for local communities and the role of local authorities in ensuring sustainable development within these communities and municipalities, as Norway does in its 2021 VNR.^[1] Others emphasize the importance of collaboration between different actors next to local authorities to ensure sustainable development within local communities such as Romania.^[2] The narrative is that stakeholders, decision-makers, and authorities have to participate to ensure sustainable development in local communities.

The second approach involves detailing case studies or projects either implemented by local communities or in which local communities participated. For instance, Austria mentions the “Zukunft durch Beteiligung” (future through contribution) project, which seeks to promote citizen engagement within local communities.^[3] Bulgaria describes the “community-led local development” approach aimed at addressing local underdevelopment and formulating community-led strategies.^[4] While these narratives highlight the ability of communities to utilize sustainable development to address local issues, they may fail to acknowledge their broader regional, national, and global impact.

The third approach emphasizes the impact of local actions. While more recent reports frequently mention local communities, they only occasionally emphasize the importance of local community actions in achieving the SDGs. The earliest acknowledgment in this regard was made by Montenegro’s VNR in 2016, stating that “international sustainable development assistance must also be directed towards local communities.”^[5] The 2021 German VNR explicitly states, “Other key players in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda – according to the principle of thinking globally and acting locally – are cities and local communities.”^[6] Additionally, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 2023 VNR states that “the fulfillment of the ‘Leave No One Behind’ principle […] would be almost impossible to achieve without further involvement of local communities.”^[7]

These examples clearly underscore the importance of local communities in achieving the SDGs and sustainable international development. However, they often fail to fully recognize the work already undertaken by local communities.

One overlooked factor is the role of community foundations, which serve as drivers of local change by addressing local issues and mobilizing funding. By offering infrastructure and scalable solutions, community foundations enable the development of strategies transferable to other communities facing similar challenges. Therefore, community foundations can effectively act locally while considering global implications.^[8]

Community foundations, along with other actors active within and for local communities, must emphasize their importance and be acknowledged for their actions. While many organizations and associations are committed to the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda, few actively advocate for the localization of the SDGs, as seen in Germany, where some cities publish voluntary local reviews.^[9]

The lack of acknowledgment and emphasis on the importance of local communities and their actions is problematic, as it excludes a significant number of potential actors and changemakers while also hindering their consideration in strategies and financial planning. Looking ahead, particularly towards the end of the 2030 Agenda, this could lead to a lack of local participation in drafting any successor to the Agenda.

Countries must, therefore, consider and emphasize the importance of local communities in SDG fulfillment. Community foundations, associations, and local stakeholders should advocate for the recognition of local communities as valuable partners in the 2030 Agenda implementation. The United Nations should find more powerful ways of engaging local communities in discussions about the present and future of the SDGs.

Endnotes

Departments: Community Foundations & SDGs; Society, Crisis, and Resilience Program; Policy Analysis and Outreach Department; Center on Global Affairs and Post Development.

Regions: Europe.

Themes: Sustainable Development Goals; Civil Society; European Union; Philanthropy and Community Development.