Authors: Monroe Dikiny, Maureen Kabasa, Joel Onyango

Background

 In 2015, all United Nations Member States united behind a common vision for global well-being and sustainability. The core of this initiative is the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), urging joint efforts from developed and developing nations. These goals emphasize the interdependence of eradicating poverty, improving health and education, reducing inequality, and fostering economic growth. The SDGs represent a shared commitment to creating a prosperous and sustainable future for people and the planet, transcending national boundaries.

This blog was developed following a stakeholders’ interaction workshop on the SDGs Synergies project held in Nairobi. The SDGs synergies project addresses the challenges hindering progress towards achieving SDGs in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda. The study focuses on the effectiveness of governance mechanisms in aligning SDG efforts across different dimensions, including donors' policies and collaborations between public and private initiatives. The project aims to provide actionable research outcomes and tailored recommendations for co-designing effective governance arrangements to achieve the SDGs by 2030. The project draws on partnerships with the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), Addis Ababa University (AAU), Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN), International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Makerere University, Wageningen University, and the Water and Land Resource Centre.

The figures presented showed that over 40% of the African population lives in poverty(SDG1). There is also a pressing need to ensure access to affordable and clean energy for all (SDG7). Indoor air pollution is a significant problem in Africa, causing over 20,000 deaths annually. Africa is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change (SDG13), with increasingly frequent extreme weather events and rising sea levels posing significant challenges to the continent. Recent El Nino rains in Kenya have resulted in the death of over 120 people and displacement of more than 89,000 households. Livestock have drowned, and farms have been submerged.

Key Insights

1. Alignment between departments. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) is a comprehensive set of targets to eradicate poverty, protect the planet, and promote peace and prosperity for all. Achieving these goals requires aligning efforts across various sectors and levels, particularly between organizational units. The Governing SDG Interactions Project has recognized this need and has made it the core of its initiative. In particular, it has explored various alignment mechanisms, such as inter-departmental, donor-recipient, inter-donor, and public-private alignments. Inter-departmental alignments foster collaboration and coordination between different departments working towards the same SDG. Funder-recipient alignments help ensure that donors' resources and support align with the recipient's SDG priorities. Inter-donor alignments coordinate the efforts of different donors working towards the same SDG. Public-private alignments leverage the strengths and resources of both the public and private sectors in achieving the SDGs.
2. Adopt a polycentric governance system, a relatively new and innovative model that emphasizes the distribution of decision-making power among multiple centers or organizational units. This model recognizes that local and regional teams possess better knowledge and understanding of local markets, cultures, and conditions, ultimately leading to more decentralized decision-making. In contrast, fragmented governance is a model that emphasizes centralized decision-making. The benefits of polycentric governance include increased decision-making efficiency and autonomy for local units. These benefits can be attributed to a more inclusive approach involving local stakeholders in decision-making. On the other hand, fragmented governance may lead to reduced flexibility and responsiveness due to the lack of input from key stakeholders. Overall, the adoption of polycentric governance has the potential to provide a more efficient and effective method of decision-making. This approach can lead to a more responsive and adaptable organizational structure by involving local stakeholders and allowing for more decentralized decision-making on sustainable development.
3. Individual contributions: Individuals and organizations can contribute to achieving the SDGs by creating awareness and encouraging others to take action. Stakeholders gathered in a workshop to discuss strategies for enhancing the impact of the Governing SDG Interactions Project, including using user-friendly platforms, conducting masterclasses, and engaging in town hall meetings. Collaboration with Community-Based-Organizations (CBOs) underscored the need for grassroots involvement to track progress and work toward a more just, equitable, and sustainable future for all.
4. Urgent Action is also needed since Africa is still struggling to progress significantly towards achieving SDGs. This workshop highlighted some pressing issues Africa faces in achieving the SDGs. A research expert delivered a compelling address at the event, emphasizing the urgent need to complete the SDGs within a limited timeframe. As it currently stands, we only have less than seven years left to achieve these goals before 2030.
5. Invest in sustainable practices: African countries can boost their economies and create new employment opportunities by investing in sustainable practices such as renewable energy, agriculture, and eco-tourism. This can help them meet energy demands, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, produce food in an environmentally friendly way, promote conservation efforts, attract visitors, and generate revenue. Such investments can also contribute to the achievement of Decent Work and Economic Growth(SDG8) and No poverty (SDG1)

Conclusion.

The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) is a partner in this project that promotes sustainable development in Africa. ACTS aims to harness the power of technology to create innovative solutions to various challenges in the continent, such as climate change, poverty, and economic development. The organization works with various stakeholders, including governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector, to develop policies, strategies, and programs to impact African communities positively.

Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals demands collaborative efforts, innovative governance, and individual contributions. Adopting polycentric governance offers an efficient and responsive decision-making model vital for Africa's urgent SDG challenges. Individual contributions, highlighted in workshops, underscore the need for grassroots involvement.

With less than seven years until 2030, urgent action is imperative. A united, inclusive, and accelerated response is essential to transform SDG aspirations into tangible results, ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for all.

For more detailed information, kindly refer to the links mentioned below:

https://www.acts-net.org/research/projects/governing-sdg-interactions/

https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2023/

https://www.arin-africa.org/category/programs/projects/

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,

The UN Sustainable Development Goals