The Nordic Associations of Local and Regional Governments (LRGAs) and Nordregio have launched the Nordic Voluntary Subnational Review (VSR) – the first cross-national report of its kind in the world. The report highlights progress made by the Nordic municipalities and regional authorities in localizing the SDGs, along with obstacles they encountered in the process.

Titled, ‘The Nordic View on Sustainability: Learnings from the Local Level,’ the VSR underscores that at least 105 of the 169 SDG targets cannot be achieved without the involvement of local and regional governments. It highlights the 17 SDGs as a “useful ‘tool’ for local actors to identify their main sustainability challenges and measure progress in a more holistic way, brining on board their citizens, businesses and civil society.”

The main highlights from the report include:

• The majority of responding municipalities engage in SDG localization. Over 95% of municipalities in Sweden and Norway, 80% in Denmark, and 64% in Finland and Iceland report there is “active work” to localize the SDGs.
• Most responding municipalities integrate the SDGs holistically, focusing on economic, social, and environmental sustainability.
• Many municipalities integrate the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into local strategies, planning, budgets, and procurement guidelines.
• While all the SDGs are recognized as important, some municipalities prioritize specific Goals, with SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), and SDG 13 (climate action) emerging at the top.
• There is significant variation among municipalities with respect to tracking progress, with 68% of responding municipalities in Finland and Sweden reporting they measure progress, 45% in Norway, 38% in Denmark, and 18% in Iceland.

The VSR was launched on 6 July 2024, during the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York, US. It is based on surveys completed by Nordic municipalities and on interviews with representatives from the LRGAs on “the strengths and weaknesses of national support to the local level, as well as the role of LRGAs in building competence and promoting municipal cooperation.” Sub-chapters on methods for meaningful citizen engagement by The Nordic Youth Network for Sustainable Development and the Nordic Civil Society Network are also featured in the report. [Publication: The Nordic View on Sustainability: Learnings from the Local Level] [Online Report] [Publication Landing Page] [Nordregio Launch Announcement]