Local-level action is essential to achieving national and global sustainability goals. Yet, municipalities face significant challenges. Various crises and trends—including climate change, biodiversity loss, geopolitical tensions, political and demographic shifts, persistent inequalities, and rapid technological change—overlap and unfold at an unprecedented pace. It is crucial to understand how these complex developments might impact municipal sustainability work – both now and in the future. Strengthening the capacity of municipalities to navigate uncertainty, anticipate change, and prepare for future developments is vital to ensuring they remain key drivers of sustainable development.
The project comprises two distinct but interconnected sub-projects.
1. Advancing the 2030 Agenda and shaping the Post-2030 Agenda
The first sub-project focuses on the final years of the 2030 Agenda and looks ahead to the next global development framework. It explores the needs, priorities, and perspectives of Nordic municipalities as they work toward 2030 and beyond. Key questions include:
- What are the support needs and priorities of Nordic municipalities during the remaining years of the 2030 Agenda?
- What learnings, expectations, and recommendations do they have for the next global development agenda?
- What types of national, Nordic, and European frameworks are needed to ensure long-term support for local sustainability efforts?
The project will be implemented in close collaboration with the Nordic Associations for Local Authorities and Regions.
2. Preparing local sustainability work for the future
The second sub-project aims to support municipalities in enhancing their resilience and preparing for future challenges. This will be done by exploring megatrends and their local impacts, as well as sharing effective strategies, concrete tools and experiences for addressing them. Some of the questions to be addressed are:
- Which trends and developments are likely to shape our future, and which are most relevant to local sustainability work in the Nordic Region?
- What do these trends mean in practice, and how can this knowledge inform better decision-making today?
- What tools and strategies can municipalities use to address megatrends and prepare local sustainability efforts for the future?
Outcomes will include research publications, policy briefs and practical insights that can serve as inspiration for civil servants engaged in strategic sustainability work in the Nordic region and beyond. The project will also strengthen knowledge-sharing among Nordic municipalities and contribute local level perspectives to the post-2030 Development Agenda.