2. Key findings

Reykjavik. Image: Yadid Levy / norden.org

The summary below highlights key perspectives and themes that emerged from focus group discussions and interviews with Nordic subnational actors, LRGAs and youth representatives. Due to the concise nature of a policy brief, some content has been condensed, and not all messages from the discussions could be included. Instead, the focus is on the points that were discussed most prominently and raised by multiple participants.

Our findings summarise:

The benefits of working with the 2030 Agenda
The challenges of working with the 2030 Agenda
How to accelerate work on the 2030 Agenda
Visons for the global development agenda beyond 2030

2.1 What are the benefits of working with the 2030 Agenda?

Nordic actors note that the 2030 Agenda has contributed positively to sustainability work over the past decade. This section outlines some of the key benefits identified by the participants, ranging from ways in which the Agenda facilitates collaboration to how it shapes local action.

The 2030 Agenda serves as a common language and a shared framework

When asked about the benefits of working with the 2030 Agenda, focus group participants identified its role as a communication tool as one of its greatest strengths. Through the recognisable and colourful design of the SDGs, the framework provides a visual identity that helps Nordic municipalities and regions articulate and communicate their sustainability work both internally and externally. Additionally, participants noted that the SDGs have created a shared language, enabling broader participation across sectors and stakeholder groups.

“What’s great about Agenda 2030 is that it gives us a shared language – everyone knows what it refers to, even if not in detail.”

- a representative from Sweden

When asked about the benefits of working with the 2030 Agenda, focus group participants identified its role as a communication tool as one of its greatest strengths. Through the recognisable and colourful design of the SDGs, the framework provides a visual identity that helps Nordic municipalities and regions articulate and communicate their sustainability work both internally and externally. Additionally, participants noted that the SDGs have created a shared language, enabling broader participation across sectors and stakeholder groups.

“What’s great about Agenda 2030 is that it gives us a shared language – everyone knows what it refers to, even if not in detail.”
- a representative from Sweden

The 2030 Agenda is relevant to local work and practice

Nordic municipalities and regions, supported by a strong welfare model and local governance traditions, have diverse responsibilities. Beyond service provision such as education, healthcare and waste management, they also work in areas including supporting social cohesion, developing attractive neighbourhoods and enhancing quality of life (Ström Hildestrand et al., 2024). Given this breadth of mandates, participants emphasised how well the 2030 Agenda aligns with their everyday work and responsibilities.

"I think many of the contents are very relevant and part of our everyday work in the city. We are really working towards the same goals whether we talk about the SDGs or not.”

- a representative from Finland

Nordic municipalities and regions, supported by a strong welfare model and local governance traditions, have diverse responsibilities. Beyond service provision such as education, healthcare and waste management, they also work in areas including supporting social cohesion, developing attractive neighbourhoods and enhancing quality of life (Ström Hildestrand et al., 2024). Given this breadth of mandates, participants emphasised how well the 2030 Agenda aligns with their everyday work and responsibilities.

"I think many of the contents are very relevant and part of our everyday work in the city. We are really working towards the same goals whether we talk about the SDGs or not.”
- a representative from Finland

The 2030 Agenda highlights the holistic nature of sustainability

The 2030 Agenda has enhanced how Nordic actors understand and approach sustainability. The framework has helped broaden perspectives on what sustainability encompasses, moving beyond environmental issues to include other dimensions such as health, well-being, peace, social belonging and economic prosperity.

Some municipality representatives noted that the 2030 Agenda has helped municipal employees better recognise the sustainability dimensions within their own roles. It has fostered the understanding that sustainability is not confined to environmental departments or treated as a “side project”, but is a shared responsibility engaging entire organisations and all parts of society. A number of study participants emphasised that this has contributed to a more integrated approach to sustainability work across local and regional administrations.

"The strength of the Agenda is that it acknowledges the interdependence of the three dimensions – social, environmental and economic."

- a representative from Sweden

The 2030 Agenda has enhanced how Nordic actors understand and approach sustainability. The framework has helped broaden perspectives on what sustainability encompasses, moving beyond environmental issues to include other dimensions such as health, well-being, peace, social belonging and economic prosperity.

Some municipality representatives noted that the 2030 Agenda has helped municipal employees better recognise the sustainability dimensions within their own roles. It has fostered the understanding that sustainability is not confined to environmental departments or treated as a “side project”, but is a shared responsibility engaging entire organisations and all parts of society. A number of study participants emphasised that this has contributed to a more integrated approach to sustainability work across local and regional administrations.

"The strength of the Agenda is that it acknowledges the interdependence of the three dimensions – social, environmental and economic."
- a representative from Sweden

The 2030 Agenda is a source of inspiration

Some study participants noted that the 2030 Agenda has provided a framework to unite local actors around a shared vision, offering both direction and motivation. In this way, it has helped transform sustainability work from isolated local responsibilities into participation in a worldwide movement. The framework has provided municipalities and regions with clearer priorities and direction on where to focus their efforts. In doing so, the 2030 Agenda has created a sense of momentum and possibility. Several Nordic representatives emphasised that one of its greatest contributions may lie in sustaining the collective will to act, fostering confidence that, through joint effort, a more sustainable future remains within reach.

"It was very helpful that Agenda 2030 came along, because then we could refer to it and learn from it, but also be inspired by it. And show that our work for sustainable development locally also contributes to the global effort, even if it is only a small contribution."

- a representative from the Government of Åland

Some study participants noted that the 2030 Agenda has provided a framework to unite local actors around a shared vision, offering both direction and motivation. In this way, it has helped transform sustainability work from isolated local responsibilities into participation in a worldwide movement. The framework has provided municipalities and regions with clearer priorities and direction on where to focus their efforts. In doing so, the 2030 Agenda has created a sense of momentum and possibility. Several Nordic representatives emphasised that one of its greatest contributions may lie in sustaining the collective will to act, fostering confidence that, through joint effort, a more sustainable future remains within reach.

"It was very helpful that Agenda 2030 came along, because then we could refer to it and learn from it, but also be inspired by it. And show that our work for sustainable development locally also contributes to the global effort, even if it is only a small contribution."
- a representative from the Government of Åland