“Do you know the SDGs?” “Which is the most important SDG for Mannheim?” These two questions were included in face-to-face surveys conducted by the city of Mannheim, Germany, as it sought to design its 2030 plan.

The questions helped to raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as to prompt conversations about how the SDG framework could work for Mannheim. 

The latest brief in Brookings’ ‘City Playbook for Advancing the SDGs’ identifies several lessons learned while developing “Mannheim 2030 vision.” Among the lessons were:

• approach people where they are — from city festivals to pedestrian zones — to hear from people who were not yet active in city planning; 
• try new instruments to engage people — Mannheim used a photo booth to generate awareness of the SDGs and lottery system to select citizens to engage in discussions;
• communication and framing are key to share the story of how the city can contribute to SDG implementation;
• the mayor’s commitment is critical; and
• translate the vision into a budget plan and national and global reporting. 

The brief is part of the Brookings Institution’s ‘City Playbook for Advancing the SDGs’ series, which provides how-to briefs and case studies on advancing sustainable development and social progress locally. The briefs focus on four themes: Governance and Partnerships; Data and Measuring Progress; SDG Priorities; and Budgeting and Finance. The briefs draw on the experiences of cities participating in Brookings’ SDG Leadership Cities community of practice. [Building Mannheim’s SDG strategy around the vision of residents]