This study captures the voices of Nordic local and regional actors, including municipalities, regions, local and regional government associations and youth representatives, on the current state and future of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Their perspectives offer important insights on how to accelerate progress and shape a post-2030 framework that works in practice.
Many Nordic municipalities and regions have made significant progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda over the past decade. The framework has provided a common language for sustainability work, and its holistic approach has supported more integrated sustainability work across Nordic communities. However, implementation faces mounting difficulties. This study was conducted at a time when the world is facing rising geopolitical tensions and competing priorities. Political commitment to the 2030 Agenda and sustainability has diminished in several parts of the Nordic region, posing challenges for local efforts to advance the SDGs.
Despite these complex challenges, Nordic local and regional authorities that have embedded the SDGs into their governance structures continue to see clear benefits and added value in using the 2030 Agenda as a framework for their work. Sustainability experts stress the ongoing usefulness of the SDGs as a communication tool, source of inspiration and a well-established framework.
The findings presented in this policy brief are important for several reasons. First, they highlight the crucial role of local and regional governments in sustaining momentum for the 2030 Agenda, even as global and national attention may wane. Second, they show that the Agenda remains a valuable tool, particularly when the SDGs are institutionalised within local governance systems, to promote continuity and resilience amid political shifts and financial uncertainty. Third, they serve as a reminder to national governments and international actors that sustained political leadership, coordination across governance levels and financial support are essential. Without such support, local implementation risks halting and becoming symbolic or fragmented. Smaller and remote communities in particular face acute capacity constraints and interconnected challenges, requiring targeted support.
With 2030 just four years away, the question of what should happen beyond 2030 is gaining momentum. Nonetheless, local and regional authorities stress the importance of not losing focus and maintaining the ambition to achieve as much progress as possible towards the sustainability goals by 2030. Much of this progress can be made locally and regionally. Engaging local businesses, civil society and residents, sharing success stories and highlighting the importance of the 2030 Agenda to create strong, resilient communities are some of the tools that local and regional authorities recommend to accelerate progress.
Looking beyond 2030, study participants made it clear that they do not want a future without a unifying global agenda. Instead, they called for an extended and refined framework that builds on strengths of the current Agenda while addressing its limitations. Participants expressed varying views on how the Agenda should be refined, for example whether to simplify it, add new SDGs, introduce stricter milestones for subnational actors, or preserve local autonomy. However, they agreed that Nordic national and subnational actors must maintain ambition, show leadership and continue “holding up the torch” for sustainable development. As one participant put it: “We must not back down. We need to fight tooth and nail to demonstrate that these are central issues.”