ABSTRACT
Localization involves adapting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to fit local contexts and needs. It encompasses how local actors define, plan, implement, monitor, evaluate and report on strategies aligned with the 2030 Agenda. Although local governments are included in a specific goal (SDG 11), subnational actors influence a significant portion of all other SDGs, too. Localization efforts have varied worldwide, influenced by many factors related to the international scenario, the degree of leadership and support provided by national governments to their local governments, and the local actors’ autonomy, size, and financial and technical capabilities. While research on localization of the SDG has been growing, there is still much to learn about how the SDGs are implemented at the local level, particularly regarding data availability and the varying impacts of localization across different contexts. Comparative studies could shed light on how to enhance SDG implementation at the local level.
