The Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs

Anchored in the Local2030 Coalition, UN-Habitat Strategic Plan 2026-2029, as well as Italy’s experience on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development and Mattei Plan, the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs is the joint operational initiative promoted by the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE) and UN-Habitat supporting countries in designing National SDG Localization Frameworks.

“The Partnership Platform focuses on multilevel governance and peer-to-peer exchange, aiming to enhance the capacity of national governments to translate national priorities into concrete actions at the local level, while providing adequate support and guidance to local institutions. We are convinced that the work carried out to date has demonstrated the value of the Partnership Platform and the need to ensure its continuity.”
- Hon. Claudio Barbaro
Undersecretary, Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, Italy

“The Partnership Platform supports countries in designing National SDG Localization Frameworks: the governance architecture that connects national priorities to local delivery, and moves countries from fragmented projects to systemic territorial transformation.”
- Anaclaudia Rossbach Executive Director, UN-Habitat

“The Partnership Platform is an important operational pillar of the Local2030 Coalition, helping translate global commitments into coordinated support for countries. It demonstrates what SDG localization looks like in practice: bringing together governments, local and regional governments, UN entities and partners around a common framework for implementation.”
- Sébastien Vauzelle Head of the Secretariat, United Nations Local2030 Coalition

What does the Partnership Platform OFFER?

The Partnership Platform provides cutting-edge operational support to countries to design National SDG Localization Frameworks. It does so through an integrated support package combining technical assistance, capacity development, peer learning, knowledge and tools, and partnership building, while helping countries identify pathways to funding and investment for territorial transformation.

Technical Support

Technical support enabling countries in designing National SDG Localization Frameworks – the multilevel architecture enabling countries to move from siloed policies, fragmented projects and scattered resources to systemic change and territorial transformation.

Knowledge, Methodologies and Tools

Guided NLF implementation through innovative, experience-based and context adapted methodologies and tools — accompany national and local governments and all stakeholders through every step of the NLF process.

Capacity Development

Online and in-person training programmes and learning resources to strengthen the capacities of national and local governments and stakeholders for effective delivery of sustainable development priorities.

Peer Learning and Knowledge Exchange

Continuous and strategic peer-learning build across international, regional and national processes, including a dedicated VNR-VLR Peer Learning Series and dialogues on localization.

Partnerships, Investment and Financing

Connecting governments and territorial stakeholders with UN entities, development partners, financing institutions and the private sector to strengthen investment readiness, identify funding pathways and build partnerships around shared territorial priorities.

Find the Partnership Platform Resources here

Download the Partnership Platform Flyer

What are NATIONAL SDG Localization Frameworks?

National SDG Localization Framework illustration

National SDG Localization Frameworks provide the multilevel governance architecture through which countries can connect fragmented policies, initiatives, institutions and resources and translate them into coordinated action and territorial transformation.

Anchored in dialogue, trust and multistakeholder cooperation, National SDG Localization Frameworks help reduce administrative fragmentation and streamline decision-making. They connect governance, policy, planning and territorial delivery processes with relevant local, national or international financing frameworks—including Integrated National Financing Frameworks, where these exist or are being developed—to strengthen pathways to locally grounded action.

National SDG Localization Frameworks bring national and subnational governments together with civil society, academia, the private sector, development partners and financing institutions to shape a common vision connecting national strategies and territorial priorities. They strengthen capacities and help stakeholders identify priorities, assess implementation and resource gaps, and establish pathways for partnerships, funding and investment.

NLF are grounded in operational experience from partner countries - Italy, Senegal and Tunisia - where national-to-local delivery systems are being tested, adapted and strengthened in practice.

ITALY TUNISIA SENEGAL

What is the IMPACT of the Partnership Platform?

Throughout the last two years, the Partnership platform has:

Provided operational support to Senegal, Tunisia and Italy in designing their National SDG Localization Frameworks and further engaged additional 9 countries (Brazil, Cabo Verde, Costa Rica, Finland, Jordan, Georgia, Ghana, Nepal and Zambia) and 4 institutions (IOC, OECD, ICSC and Kuntaliitto) as partners of the initiative to work collaboratively in designing NLFs;

Mobilized over 130 institutions and 100 speakers in technical exchanges and peer learning activities across key global processes, including the UN-Habitat Assembly, HLPF, COP, ARFSD and WUF;

Developed cutting-edge tools and capacity-building resources to support replication and scale-up of NLFs and the preparation of VNRs across countries;

Built partnerships and facilitated connections among governments, UN entities, international organizations, development partners, financing institutions and other stakeholders to support territorial priorities, project preparation and pathways to funding and investment;

Translated the Local2030 Coalition’s vision and principles – such as the Localization Blueprint and SDG Localization Marker – into concrete operational support on the ground.

Engaged more than 17 countries and over 130 participants from national governments, local and regional governments through the VNR–VLR Peer Learning Series in collaboration with the Local2030 Coalition, UNDESA, UNECA, OECD, UCLG, and the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments.

How to get involved

Express your interest in engaging in the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs by reaching out to us!

Contact

📧 [email protected]

Download the Partnership Platform Brochure

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