In a municipal partnership for sustainability, the partner municipalities work together strategically and across departments to implement the 2030 Agenda at the local level. In doing so, they use and expand their municipal expertise as they jointly implement activities to localise the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Connecting municipal partnerships for sustainability for the 2030 Agenda. Copyright: Engagement Global
With its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets the global frame of reference for socially, economically and environmentally sustainable development. Municipalities in particular play a pivotal role in achieving the SDGs, as sustainable development touches on almost all areas of local action.
Municipalities are providers, planners, procurers, role models and ambassadors of the 2030 Agenda. They gain new experience every day in their efforts to make cities and local communities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. It is important to use these experiences to systematically address the issues of the 2030 Agenda and mainstream them in local governance.
Objective
The 'Municipal Partnerships for Sustainability' project aims to support municipalities in working together to localise the 2030 Agenda. To achieve this, in each project phase about ten partnerships for sustainability – each comprising one municipality from the Global South (DAC List of ODA Recipients) and their German partner municipality – receive intensive support and advice from us.
The partner municipalities work together strategically and across departments to implement the 2030 Agenda at the local level. The international exchange in particular opens up new perspectives for both sides, and raises awareness of the global impact of local action. Planning joint activities, implementing measures and learning from each other are very enriching experiences – both professionally and personally.
Target group
The 'Municipal Partnerships for Sustainability' project is designed for partnerships between municipalities from the Global South and German municipalities.
If you would like to take part in the project, please discuss this with your partners. The proposal itself must be submitted by the German municipality. Unfortunately, municipalities that do not have a German partner municipality cannot take part. Nonetheless, you are most welcome to get in touch with us for general advice.
The services we offer to participating partnerships
Advice and support for the municipalities as they work together to localise the 2030 Agenda
Funding and organisation of international knowledge sharing between the partner municipalities (short-term missions by municipal experts)
Conduct of regional network meetings and international conferences for sharing lessons learned and networking the municipalities taking part in the project phase
If required: support with translations and interpretation services
Information and advice on further financial and human resources support which the Service Agency offers to the partnerships
What we expect of you as a participating municipality
Signature of an agreement on project participation, and the goals and key points of the 'Municipal Partnerships for Sustainability' project
A willingness of both partner municipalities to work together on the 2030 Agenda in the long term
Release of staff for international exchange of expertise and lessons learned, and for planning and implementing project activities
Active participation in the regional network meetings and international workshops
A guarantee of successful internal cooperation between the municipal departments relevant to the issues and goals of the 2030 Agenda
Active involvement of relevant stakeholder groups from the realms of politics, business, academia and civil society
About the project
The 'Municipal Sustainability Partnerships' project began in 2017 with 12 partnerships between municipalities in Germany and municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Serbia in a 2-year pilot phase. The second phase to deliver ten partnerships between German and Latin American municipalities commenced in 2020. Reciprocal delegations of municipal experts, national and regional network meetings, and international events provided a framework in which those involved could meet regularly to share experience, network, and work together to prepare and implement measures for localising Agenda 2030.
The third round of the project began in September 2023 with an international kick-off conference in Hamm in Germany. The Service Agency is supporting an additional eight partnerships between German and African municipalities and German and Latin American municipalities to help them develop joint action plans to localise Agenda 2030. These are:
Arnsberg (Germany) – Morogoro (Tanzania)
Berlin Mitte (Germany) – Douala (Cameroon)
Eschborn (Germany) – Grand-Popo (Benin)
Freyung-Grafenau (Germany) – Simanjiro (Tanzania)
Frickingen (Germany) – Nuevo Colón (Colombia)
Hamm (Germany) – Mazatlán (Mexico)
Lamspringe (Germany) – Amahlathi (South Africa)
Waldbronn (Germany) – Rafaela (Argentina)
Review
'We've become friends'
Belgrade, 28 to 30 November 2018.
Results conference of the twelve partnerships at the end of the two-year pilot phase.
The 2030 Agenda comes to life in municipal partnerships
Sarajewo, 21 to 22 November 2017.
Twelve municipalities from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Serbia reached a positive interim assessment of their partnerships with German municipalities for sustainability.
