¿Qué pasos tenemos que dar para localizar los ODS?

Introduction to the Event

Welcome and Overview

• Alberto Quintanilla welcomes participants to an online event focused on the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in public administrations.

• The current module, Module 2 of 5, addresses localizing the 2030 Agenda and strategies for sustainable development.

Presenting the Speakers

Speaker Introductions

• Ana Estebaranz is introduced as a key speaker with a background in education and extensive experience working with local governments on various issues including youth, environment, and health.

• Lino Ramos is presented as an economist specializing in strategic planning and evaluation at Alcobendas City Council, recognized for his work in municipal strategy formulation.

• Julia Urquijo is introduced as a doctor in agronomy with expertise in evaluating programs related to the SDGs, having collaborated with NGOs and international organizations like FAO.

Discussion on Local Entities' Role

Importance of Local Networks

• Rafael introduces the discussion focusing on how local entities contribute to implementing the SDGs effectively.

• Ana explains that the network of local entities was established post-2020 to facilitate leadership commitment towards achieving SDGs at city levels.

• The network aims to foster collaboration among various organizations while establishing methodologies based on co-governance for knowledge sharing.

Training and Resources for Implementation

Educational Initiatives

• Ana highlights that training has been fundamental for advancing sustainability efforts among nearly 700 integrated local entities through a guide developed collaboratively with relevant ministries.

Local Entities and Sustainable Development Goals

Formation of Working Groups

• Different local entities were formed to cater to both smaller and larger groups, focusing on varying levels of advancement. This led to the establishment of various working groups, which are essential for the network's operation.

Interadministrative Cooperation

• The cooperation among different entities within the network is based on systemic transformation as outlined in the 2030 Agenda. This collaboration aims to generate and share knowledge across all working teams.

Defining Challenges and Tools

• The network emphasizes that it is crucial for its member entities to define their own challenges and needs in order to progress towards achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Budget Alignment and Indicator Guide

• Several tools have been developed from these working groups, including a budget alignment tool for local entities and a guide with a basic set of indicators that is common and comparable across all participating localities.

Urban Agenda Connection

• An important project related to urban agenda focuses on SDG 11 but also recognizes the interconnectedness with other SDGs. This approach ensures that efforts towards one goal contribute positively towards others.

Implementation Insights from Alcobendas

Decision to Join the Network

• Lino Ramos discusses Alcobendas' decision to join the network, highlighting how collaboration has benefited them as coordinators within this framework.

Strategic Planning Tradition

• Alcobendas has a history of strategic planning, currently on its fourth plan spanning ten years. The city had already established plans before the introduction of global agendas like Agenda 2030.

Evaluation Culture in Spain

• There is a noted lack of evaluation culture in Spain regarding public policies. However, Alcobendas successfully completed an evaluation cycle that informed future planning aligned with SDGs.

Recommendations for Future Plans

• As part of their evaluation process, recommendations were made for future plans to align more closely with SDGs, incorporating insights from both national urban agendas and sustainability perspectives.

Creation of Local Entities Network

Why Did Alcobendas Join the Network?

Purpose and Vision of Alcobendas

• Alcobendas joined the network in July 2020, emphasizing its commitment to social progress and sustainable economic prosperity.

• The city's purpose is driven by Simon Sinek's concept of "Reason Why," focusing on understanding the motivations behind actions.

• Alcobendas aims to be a reference for sustainable cities, highlighting the importance of contributing to broader sustainability goals.

Importance of Inclusivity in Sustainability

• The city recognizes that sustainability efforts should not only benefit larger municipalities but also smaller ones across Spain, which has over 8,132 municipalities.

• Emphasizes the global Agenda 2030 as a multi-level objective with a universal principle: "No one left behind."

Collaboration and Benefits from the Network

• Participation in the network is seen as mutually beneficial; Alcobendas actively engages in various activities and training sessions offered by the network.

• Municipal staff are encouraged to participate in training related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), enhancing their knowledge through shared resources.

How Does Alcobendas Implement SDGs?

Strategic Planning Process

• The city has developed four strategic plans focused on long-term vision, crucial for effective public administration.

• Localizing SDGs involves three key levers: ecosystem engagement strategy, management systems, and communication efforts.

Analysis and Evaluation Methods

• An ex-post analysis was conducted at the end of a strategic planning cycle (2020), evaluating impacts through quantitative indicators linked to SDGs.

• A correlation analysis was performed between major projects and relevant SDGs, establishing clear connections between initiatives and objectives.

Current Planning Cycle Insights

Analysis of Alcobendas' Sustainable Development Goals

Overview of City Metrics and Rankings

• Alcobendas has a population of 100,000 and ranks 28th among 103 cities in certain metrics. The importance of measuring progress is emphasized to evaluate whether objectives are being met.

• In a comparative analysis involving 18 cities, Alcobendas ranked 9th based on the assessment of 72 out of 169 goals and 92 indicators necessary for localizing the Agenda 2030.

Performance on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Alcobendas performs well in SDGs such as Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 3 (Good Health), Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 8 (Decent Work), Goal 16 (Peace and Justice), and Goal 17 (Partnerships).

• Areas needing improvement include SDGs related to Zero Hunger, Gender Equality, Reduced Inequalities, Industry Innovation, Sustainable Cities, Responsible Consumption, Climate Action, Life Below Water, Life on Land.

Governance Model for Sustainability

• A governance model is crucial during government transitions every four years. This model should encompass the entire city ecosystem.

• The governance structure includes political leadership from the government team and a technical committee focused on sustainability projects that impact various SDGs.

Stakeholder Engagement and Participation

• The focal point for governance is designated as the subdirectorate for governance excellence responsible for managing follow-up systems and reporting.

• A social council representing diverse stakeholders—including academia, unions, businesses, NGOs—is established to ensure community involvement in decision-making processes.

Project Evaluation Methodology

• To enhance participation in planning cycles, common tools like surveys were utilized to define city vision and values.

• Urban laboratories were created during the pandemic to foster co-creation among over 250 participants who evaluated projects based on five criteria focusing on their potential impacts on both SDGs and urban agendas.

Analysis of Project Impacts on Sustainable Development Goals

Overview of Impact Analysis

• The tool is used to analyze direct, indirect, positive, and negative impacts of projects on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on emblematic projects due to the large number.

• It is noted that no project impacts a single SDG; all are interconnected with both positive and negative effects.

Case Study: Urban Development in Valgrande

• The urban development project in Valgrande faces opposition from environmental advocates who prefer green spaces over housing developments.

• There is a significant housing crisis in the municipality, with over 13,000 individuals expected to need homes within five years, impacting SDG 1 (No Poverty).

Balancing Environmental and Housing Needs

• Projects cannot be classified as simply good or bad; their impacts vary based on local realities. For instance, while environmental goals may seem beneficial, they must be weighed against housing needs.

• The city has more than 20 square meters of green space per inhabitant—exceeding WHO recommendations—indicating a complex balance between environmental and residential needs.

Forest Park Project Insights

• A forest park project aims to convert a municipal landfill into an ecological area but primarily impacts SDG 4 (Quality Education), emphasizing environmental education rather than just ecological benefits.

Budget Alignment with SDGs

• Tools are being developed for aligning municipal budgets with SDGs. This includes using platforms that cross-reference budget allocations with SDG performance indicators.

• An example from Alcobendas shows budget concentration on specific SDGs (3, 4, 11, 12, 15, and 16), highlighting areas needing improvement like SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Integration of Strategic Planning

• Integrating budget alignment into municipal tools ensures effective management and prevents plans from becoming stagnant documents.

• Business intelligence tools help align long-term strategies with operational goals across various departments.

Communication and Community Engagement

• Actions for communication include local publications reaching over 40,000 readers and educational materials for children about sustainable development themes.

Survey Insights and Sustainable Development Goals in Alcobendas

Understanding Public Awareness of ADS

• In the 2022 survey conducted in Alcobendas, it was found that 38% of the population is aware of what ADS (Sustainable Development Goals) are, highlighting a significant gap in public knowledge.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

• Approximately 70% of the population agrees on the importance of aligning local projects with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), indicating strong community support for sustainable initiatives.

Communication and Collaboration Efforts

• The city has implemented a newsletter to disseminate information about SDGs and campaigns aimed at civil society, showcasing efforts to enhance awareness and engagement.

Localizing Agenda 2030

• The discussion emphasizes how localizing Agenda 2030 varies by context; each localization process is unique based on local characteristics and governance structures.

Role of Prioritization in Localization Processes

• The speaker shares insights from their experience supporting localization processes across various entities, stressing that understanding local contexts is crucial for effective implementation.

Key Steps in the Localization Process

Importance of Diagnostic Phase

• The diagnostic phase is identified as essential for successful localization. It involves identifying focal points and ensuring there’s leadership commitment from local governments.

Steps for Effective Diagnosis

• Three key steps are proposed for conducting an effective diagnosis:

• Alignment: Understanding current standings concerning Agenda 2030.

• Mapping Actors: Identifying stakeholders involved with specific goals or targets.

Knowledge of Existing Plans and Strategies

• It's vital to have clarity on existing plans related to SDGs since many local governments may already be undertaking relevant actions without recognizing them as part of SDG efforts.

Data Availability and Measurement

Alineamiento Presupuestario y Metas de Desarrollo

Importancia del Alineamiento Presupuestario

• Se destaca la necesidad de conocer los recursos destinados y el esfuerzo presupuestario para avanzar en las metas y objetivos, proporcionando una imagen clara de cómo se distribuye este esfuerzo por ODS.

Profundización en el Alineamiento

• Algunos gobiernos alinean programas y políticas a nivel de ODS, pero es posible profundizar más al conectar a nivel de metas, lo que permite entender mejor los esfuerzos en planificación estratégica, datos e indicadores.

Proceso de Priorización

• Al analizar las metas alcanzables, se identifican entre 130 y 150 metas relevantes en un contexto local o regional, destacando la complejidad del alineamiento con las 169 metas globales.

Adaptación de Metas

• La adaptación implica redefinir las metas relacionadas con programas existentes para que tengan sentido en el contexto local. Esto incluye mejorar planificaciones previas e incorporar nuevas metas que reflejen mejor los ODS.

Gestión del Seguimiento y Alcance

• Una vez adaptadas las metas e indicadores, surge la necesidad de priorización debido a limitaciones en capacidad y recursos. Este proceso plantea un debate ético sobre qué metas elegir para enfocar esfuerzos.

Metodología de Priorización: Caso Barcelona

Análisis del Estado de las Metas

• El Ayuntamiento de Barcelona propone un método para priorizar metales basado en su evolución y estado actual. Las desviaciones respecto a las metas previstas determinan niveles de atención (alto o bajo).

Criterios para Evaluar Capacidad de Influencia

• Se utilizan tres criterios: cobertura estratégica (metas contempladas en planes existentes), competencias (nivel disponible para actuar sobre cada meta), y esfuerzo presupuestario (evaluación aproximada del presupuesto asignado).

Matriz de Priorización

Localizing the 2030 Agenda: Challenges and Strategies

Strategic Planning and Budgeting

• The discussion emphasizes the need for strategic planning to incorporate specific goals into operational instruments, enhancing their definition and budget allocation. This is crucial for fostering progress towards these objectives.

• A comprehensive analysis of information is necessary to define various actions and strategies that ensure timely advancement towards established goals, serving as a fundamental support for implementation phases.

Key Steps in Localization

• The speaker outlines three essential steps in localizing the 2030 Agenda: alignment, adaptation, and prioritization. These steps are vital for different public administrations to effectively implement the agenda.

Identifying Barriers in Implementation

• A significant challenge identified is translating comprehensive diagnostic systems into practical action plans that facilitate goal achievement. Without concrete actions, reaching set targets becomes increasingly difficult.

• Local governments face pressure to accelerate efforts as warnings indicate they are falling behind on achieving their goals within the designated timelines. This urgency highlights the importance of actionable plans over mere diagnostics.

Expanding Reach to Municipalities

• There is a focus on how organizations can engage more municipalities in implementing the 2030 Agenda effectively, especially given that one network encompasses around 700 municipalities while Spain has over 8,000 municipalities total.

• The necessity of having standardized indicators across various organizations is emphasized to streamline processes and ensure all municipalities can participate regardless of size or resources available. This approach aims at inclusivity in data collection and reporting practices.

Tools for Effective Action Planning

• Training sessions, seminars, and workshops are being organized to equip local entities with tools necessary for aligning their actions with relevant objectives under the 2030 Agenda framework. These initiatives aim at fostering collaboration among local governments.

Designing a Universal Platform for Municipalities

Overview of the Platform Development

• The platform is currently under design, aiming to assist municipalities that struggle to establish their own networks. This initiative ensures that all municipalities in Spain will have at least a minimum set of resources for comparison.

• The goal is to create a foundational roadmap from which municipalities can progress and develop further, contributing to local voluntary reports that feed into national and higher-level reports.

Importance of Agenda 2030

• Emphasis on the holistic and universal nature of Agenda 2030, highlighting the collective responsibility of all stakeholders in its implementation.

Closing Remarks and Future Engagement

• Participants were encouraged to review shared materials in the chat, with plans to upload additional links related to the platform.

• Acknowledgment of time constraints during discussions; participants are invited to continue engaging through forums as part of an ongoing learning experience.

Conclusion and Next Steps