Nordic local and regional views on the 2030 Agenda and beyond: Stepping up or stepping back?

2.3 How to accelerate progress?

In light of the challenges outlined in the previous section, study participants discussed ways to refocus attention on the 2030 Agenda and accelerate progress towards the SDGs.

Enhance political leadership, accountability and coordination

One of the most frequently mentioned factors required to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda was political leadership. Study participants emphasised that successful sustainability work depends on political support at all levels of governance, as this provides the mandate, resources and direction needed for long-term efforts. They also stressed that such support must be stable and predictable to sustain momentum and achieve lasting impacts.

National-level leadership was repeatedly highlighted as particularly important for local and regional sustainability efforts. Participants noted that national governments play a key role in setting priorities and legal requirements, as well as in creating national fora for knowledge exchange. They can also support regional and local action by providing financial resources, developing common indicators to measure progress and coordinating efforts across levels of governance to avoid fragmentation. Stricter follow-up and reporting requirements were seen as key to ensuring contributions from all levels of governance.

“Agenda 2030 can’t solve everything. It’s just a framework. There has to be a real will – both politically and among civil servants – to actually drive change.”

- a representative from Sweden

One of the most frequently mentioned factors required to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda was political leadership. Study participants emphasised that successful sustainability work depends on political support at all levels of governance, as this provides the mandate, resources and direction needed for long-term efforts. They also stressed that such support must be stable and predictable to sustain momentum and achieve lasting impacts.

National-level leadership was repeatedly highlighted as particularly important for local and regional sustainability efforts. Participants noted that national governments play a key role in setting priorities and legal requirements, as well as in creating national fora for knowledge exchange. They can also support regional and local action by providing financial resources, developing common indicators to measure progress and coordinating efforts across levels of governance to avoid fragmentation. Stricter follow-up and reporting requirements were seen as key to ensuring contributions from all levels of governance.

“Agenda 2030 can’t solve everything. It’s just a framework. There has to be a real will – both politically and among civil servants – to actually drive change.”
- a representative from Sweden

Reframe and adapt the Agenda to current realities

As described in the previous section, several study participants noted that the multiple challenges and crises affecting the Nordic region and other countries in recent years have shifted attention away from long-term sustainability efforts. To refocus attention on the 2030 Agenda, participants recommended adapting the language and framing of the SDGs. This could include, for example, linking sustainability goals more explicitly to emerging priority areas such as resilience and preparedness. Rather than treating the 2030 Agenda as a static plan, participants encouraged viewing it as a flexible framework for action that can help build resilient, socially cohesive communities that are prepared for disruptions.

“I think sustainability work – and Agenda 2030 in particular – isn’t as ‘hot’ a topic anymore. We need to adapt it to the current context and use terminology that resonates today. We need to package what we have in a way that more people can relate to.”

- a representative from Sweden

As described in the previous section, several study participants noted that the multiple challenges and crises affecting the Nordic region and other countries in recent years have shifted attention away from long-term sustainability efforts. To refocus attention on the 2030 Agenda, participants recommended adapting the language and framing of the SDGs. This could include, for example, linking sustainability goals more explicitly to emerging priority areas such as resilience and preparedness. Rather than treating the 2030 Agenda as a static plan, participants encouraged viewing it as a flexible framework for action that can help build resilient, socially cohesive communities that are prepared for disruptions.

“I think sustainability work – and Agenda 2030 in particular – isn’t as ‘hot’ a topic anymore. We need to adapt it to the current context and use terminology that resonates today. We need to package what we have in a way that more people can relate to.”
- a representative from Sweden

Prioritise key areas and improve tools for measuring progress

Several participants suggested concentrating efforts on key areas requiring particular attention, including the protection of ecosystems, infrastructure, housing and jobs. Youth representatives also emphasised the need for a renewed focus on supporting the sustainability efforts of countries in the Global South.

Measuring progress and developing suitable indicators was considered crucial to ensure that sustainability efforts lead to the intended outcomes and to enable comparisons across municipalities. Stronger national coordination could be valuable in this context, preventing municipalities from having to create separate indicators and measurement systems independently. At the same time, participants stressed that any joint indicators should build on existing data and allow sufficient flexibility to reflect local needs.

“We need more clarity and focus, and each country could identify key focus areas for the next five years.”

- a representative from Norway

Several participants suggested concentrating efforts on key areas requiring particular attention, including the protection of ecosystems, infrastructure, housing and jobs. Youth representatives also emphasised the need for a renewed focus on supporting the sustainability efforts of countries in the Global South.

Measuring progress and developing suitable indicators was considered crucial to ensure that sustainability efforts lead to the intended outcomes and to enable comparisons across municipalities. Stronger national coordination could be valuable in this context, preventing municipalities from having to create separate indicators and measurement systems independently. At the same time, participants stressed that any joint indicators should build on existing data and allow sufficient flexibility to reflect local needs.

“We need more clarity and focus, and each country could identify key focus areas for the next five years.”
- a representative from Norway

Share success stories, motivate and learn from one another

Many local and regional government representatives stressed the importance of highlighting success stories and fostering optimism. They noted that inspiring work is taking place at the subnational level but often receives limited visibility. Showcasing good examples and progress can help motivate further action and counter perceptions that momentum around the 2030 Agenda is weakening.

Participants also emphasised the value of communities of action and networks for strengthening motivation. Such communities can help sustainability experts share good practices and insights, provide peer support and raise awareness of approaches that have been less successful.

“Let’s highlight the good examples from municipalities and civil society. They can counterbalance the sense that everything is falling apart globally. Locally, there’s a lot of hope.”

- a representative from Sweden

Many local and regional government representatives stressed the importance of highlighting success stories and fostering optimism. They noted that inspiring work is taking place at the subnational level but often receives limited visibility. Showcasing good examples and progress can help motivate further action and counter perceptions that momentum around the 2030 Agenda is weakening.

Participants also emphasised the value of communities of action and networks for strengthening motivation. Such communities can help sustainability experts share good practices and insights, provide peer support and raise awareness of approaches that have been less successful.

“Let’s highlight the good examples from municipalities and civil society. They can counterbalance the sense that everything is falling apart globally. Locally, there’s a lot of hope.”
- a representative from Sweden

Prioritise communication and engage stakeholders

Study participants stressed the importance of strengthening public communication on the 2030 Agenda and engaging a broad range of stakeholders. Communication efforts should use clear, accessible language and demonstrate how the SDGs matter for different regions and municipalities, including how sustainability efforts create tangible local benefits and improve quality of life.

Participants also emphasised that involving residents, businesses and other actors can significantly enhance local sustainability work. Many municipalities and regions reported positive experiences with participatory methods, which have helped tap into people’s ideas, goals and concerns while also increasing trust in local decision-makers. Looking ahead, several participants argued for even stronger engagement of stakeholders, such as schools, civil society associations, Indigenous communities and the wider population.

Youth representatives stressed that participation should not rely solely on voluntary contributions, since this risks involving only those who are already active. To ensure that diverse voices are heard, participants suggested allocating funding and offering compensation, particularly when engaging young people and marginalised groups. They also highlighted the need to reach out proactively to communities that are typically less involved in policymaking, for example, by meeting people where they are and accommodating different forms of communication and participation.

“The Agenda still feels quite abstract to most people. [...] We need something that sparks the feeling: ‘This is about me too. This is our shared future.”

- a youth representative

Study participants stressed the importance of strengthening public communication on the 2030 Agenda and engaging a broad range of stakeholders. Communication efforts should use clear, accessible language and demonstrate how the SDGs matter for different regions and municipalities, including how sustainability efforts create tangible local benefits and improve quality of life.

Participants also emphasised that involving residents, businesses and other actors can significantly enhance local sustainability work. Many municipalities and regions reported positive experiences with participatory methods, which have helped tap into people’s ideas, goals and concerns while also increasing trust in local decision-makers. Looking ahead, several participants argued for even stronger engagement of stakeholders, such as schools, civil society associations, Indigenous communities and the wider population.

Youth representatives stressed that participation should not rely solely on voluntary contributions, since this risks involving only those who are already active. To ensure that diverse voices are heard, participants suggested allocating funding and offering compensation, particularly when engaging young people and marginalised groups. They also highlighted the need to reach out proactively to communities that are typically less involved in policymaking, for example, by meeting people where they are and accommodating different forms of communication and participation.

“The Agenda still feels quite abstract to most people. [...] We need something that sparks the feeling: ‘This is about me too. This is our shared future.”
- a youth representative

Mainstream sustainability and build capacity

Participants also discussed what regional and local administrations themselves could do to strengthen their sustainability work. Several suggested that public administrations can implement sustainability more effectively by mainstreaming the SDGs into the daily work of all roles and departments, rather than treating them as a separate project managed by a dedicated task force.

However, some participants cautioned that this strategy of mainstreaming could carry the risk of fragmentation if the interconnectedness of the SDGs is lost. Without a clear grasp of how the goals interact, siloed departments risk missing opportunities for synergies, where progress in one area can also generate benefits in others. Similarly, potential trade-offs may go unnoticed, leading to unintended negative impacts when goals are pursued in isolation.

To address these challenges, participants called for stronger support in building competence and developing tools that make SDG interlinkages more visible and help manage goal conflicts. They also emphasised the need for clearer guidance on how to work with the complex and integrated nature of the 2030 Agenda within public administrations often marked by sectoral division and fragmented structures.

“I think what would be helpful for the SDGs and for sustainability work in general is that we […] try to go towards the idea that it's not a separate work in the city. Rather, it's an integral part of our everyday work, no matter where you work in a municipality – whether you're a teacher, a daycare person or an infrastructure worker.”

- a representative from Finland

Participants also discussed what regional and local administrations themselves could do to strengthen their sustainability work. Several suggested that public administrations can implement sustainability more effectively by mainstreaming the SDGs into the daily work of all roles and departments, rather than treating them as a separate project managed by a dedicated task force.

However, some participants cautioned that this strategy of mainstreaming could carry the risk of fragmentation if the interconnectedness of the SDGs is lost. Without a clear grasp of how the goals interact, siloed departments risk missing opportunities for synergies, where progress in one area can also generate benefits in others. Similarly, potential trade-offs may go unnoticed, leading to unintended negative impacts when goals are pursued in isolation.

To address these challenges, participants called for stronger support in building competence and developing tools that make SDG interlinkages more visible and help manage goal conflicts. They also emphasised the need for clearer guidance on how to work with the complex and integrated nature of the 2030 Agenda within public administrations often marked by sectoral division and fragmented structures.

“I think what would be helpful for the SDGs and for sustainability work in general is that we […] try to go towards the idea that it's not a separate work in the city. Rather, it's an integral part of our everyday work, no matter where you work in a municipality – whether you're a teacher, a daycare person or an infrastructure worker.”
- a representative from Finland

Make a business case for sustainability

Participants also reflected on how to accelerate progress on environmental goals. To curb the overexploitation of natural resources and influence behaviours, they noted the importance of ensuring that the environmental costs of resource use are reflected in prices. They also suggested implementing economic incentives to make sustainable choices more profitable.

In addition, participants from LRGAs highlighted the need for greater financial support to advance sustainability efforts. For smaller communities in particular, even the provision of basic services for sustainability, such as wastewater treatment, can place significant burdens on local budgets. To enable more ambitious sustainability goals and plans, additional funding may be required, for example in the form of state grants or through targeted funding streams.

“We’re even experimenting with how to put a price on nature, to include it as a factor in economic planning. If nature becomes part of the value system, we may be more likely to protect it.”

- a representative from LRGA

Participants also reflected on how to accelerate progress on environmental goals. To curb the overexploitation of natural resources and influence behaviours, they noted the importance of ensuring that the environmental costs of resource use are reflected in prices. They also suggested implementing economic incentives to make sustainable choices more profitable.

In addition, participants from LRGAs highlighted the need for greater financial support to advance sustainability efforts. For smaller communities in particular, even the provision of basic services for sustainability, such as wastewater treatment, can place significant burdens on local budgets. To enable more ambitious sustainability goals and plans, additional funding may be required, for example in the form of state grants or through targeted funding streams.

“We’re even experimenting with how to put a price on nature, to include it as a factor in economic planning. If nature becomes part of the value system, we may be more likely to protect it.”
- a representative from LRGA