International study highlights Espoo’s sustainability work as a successful example of a participatory process
The Voluntary Local Review (VLR) monitors the implementation of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in cities. According to a study, Espoo’s reporting and cooperation with the state have been exemplary in their community-oriented approach.
Commissioned by the German government, the independent Partners for Review (P4R) network for the assessment of work towards the UN’s Agenda 2030 conducted an extensive international study on the involvement of states and cities in Sustainable Development Goal review processes.
The “Engaging non-state actors and local authorities in SDG follow-up and review(external link, opens in a new window)” report discusses cooperation between the state, cities and the third sector in the Agenda 2030 review. The City of Espoo is mentioned as an international example of a participatory VLR process and cooperation with the state. According to the report, Espoo’s strengths include the city’s internal participation in the review process and, on the other hand, cooperation with partners such as universities, companies and organisations.
“We will succeed in Espoo when we do things together as a whole community. The SDGs are an excellent framework for measuring the impact of the Espoo Story, our strategy,” says Mayor Jukka Mäkelä.
Sustainable development work as part of the City of Espoo’s strategy
The UN’s Agenda 2030 aims to safeguard the well-being of the planet and its people. Solving the challenges of sustainable development requires cooperation and a comprehensive approach.
The next big step in Espoo’s SDG work is for the city organisation and its partners to understand what the city’s pioneering role in sustainable development is and how it will be achieved. In this, the Espoo Story and the SDGs serve as an excellent and comprehensive framework, set of goals and source of terminology. As part of the SDG work, we pay attention to, among other things, new solutions developed in Espoo for reducing climate pollution, promoting employment and entrepreneurship, the role of education in achieving sustainable lifestyles, sustainable production and consumption, and stopping biodiversity loss.
In Espoo, the city’s Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development is responsible for pioneering work towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the cross-administrative Sustainable Espoo programme monitors the progress of the goals.
“Cross-administrative development programmes and profit centres play an important role in implementing the Espoo Story. The SDGs, which serve the residents and the Espoo Story, will be developed in cooperation with them. We also want to involve more and more Espoo residents in sustainable development work,” says Project Manager Ville Taajamaa.
In January–April 2022, for example, the city will organise a series of workshops, theme nights and public discussions together with the Espoo Adult Education Centre. The results of the “Our Espoo 20X0 – Talking about the future of our city” events will be used later in improving the residents’ opportunities to participate, in Espoo’s city planning and in the Adult Education Centre’s course offering.
Further information
Ville Taajamaa, Project Manager, ville.taajamaa@espoo.fi, tel. +358 40 5083806
Helena Kyrki, Manager for Sustainable Development, helena.kyrki@espoo.fi, tel. +358 43 8248661