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Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals: The case of Tanzania

Author

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  • Kristina Jönsson
  • Magdalena Bexell

Abstract

Motivation Despite increasing research on the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), there is a lack of attention to the role of political institutions in localizing the SDGs. By exploring localization of the 2030 Agenda in a concrete political context, we go beyond prior research that mainly studies interlinkages and discourses underpinning the agenda. Purpose This article explores political qualities of localization processes through three analytical concepts that bring such qualities to the fore—legitimacy, responsibility and accountability. We investigate localization attempts with regard to the 2030 Agenda in Tanzania, aiming to identify drivers and obstacles of localization. Approaches and Methods The article provides an explorative case study based on policy document review and 28 semi‐structured interviews with civil servants, parliamentarians, representatives from civil society organizations, the UN and other international agencies in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma between 2017 and 2019. Findings Elements of localization are policy alignment at the national level, work with statistics and indicators, and awareness creation among a variety of actors. Drivers of localization are the government, civil society organizations, the UN, members of parliament and demands for review at the UN High‐level Political Forum. Obstacles to localization are unclear allocation of responsibility, insufficient co‐ordination, high turnaround of people in key positions, a lack of data availability, low awareness of the SDGs among citizens, a shortage of resources and shrinking democratic space. Policy Implications We posit that a clear allocation of responsibility facilitates implementation and ensuing accountability measures. For localization to occur, knowledge of the SDGs must reach beyond a limited circle of elites. Moreover, it is important to acknowledge that sustainable development is a politically charged field. Political institutions at all levels should therefore be central arenas for debating and adopting the 2030 Agenda as part of its localization.

Suggested Citation

  • Kristina Jönsson & Magdalena Bexell, 2021. "Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals: The case of Tanzania," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 39(2), pages 181-196, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:devpol:v:39:y:2021:i:2:p:181-196
    DOI: 10.1111/dpr.12497
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Gloria Novovic, 2022. "Can Agenda 2030 bring about “localization”? Policy limitations of Agenda 2030 in the broader global governance system," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 40(4), July.
    3. Clement, Jessica & Ruysschaert, Benoit & Crutzen, Nathalie, 2023. "Smart city strategies – A driver for the localization of the sustainable development goals?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    4. Eunice Annan-Aggrey & Godwin Arku, 2023. "‘New Wine in Old Wineskins?’—Understanding the Framing of SDGs in the Local Government Context in Ghana," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 23(3), pages 229-245, July.
    5. Nadia Soledad Ibañez Iralde & Enric Mont Lecocq & Jordi Pascual & Núria Martí Audí & Jaume Salom, 2024. "Harmonising Indicators to Report Sustainable Development Goals and Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan: Systemic Analysis of Existing Regional and City Indicators Sets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-39, September.
    6. Oda Hustad, 2023. "From global goal to local development policy: How partnerships as a policy idea changes through policy translation," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 41(2), March.
    7. Xinghua Feng & Chunliang Xiu & Jianxin Li & Yexi Zhong, 2021. "Measuring the Evolution of Urban Resilience Based on the Exposure–Connectedness–Potential (ECP) Approach: A Case Study of Shenyang City, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-22, November.
    8. Xinghua Feng & Yan Tang & Manyu Bi & Zeping Xiao & Yexi Zhong, 2022. "Analysis of Urban Resilience in Water Network Cities Based on Scale-Density-Morphology-Function (SDMF) Framework: A Case Study of Nanchang City, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-23, June.

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