LOCALIZING THE SDGS IN EGYPT - SCALE UP - PHASE III

While the adopted 17 SDGs are global, their achievement will depend on our ability to make them a reality in our cities and towns. Going from global to local is the key here. Localization is the process of taking into account subnational contexts in setting targets and values to determining the means of implementation to effectively translating the development agenda into results at the local level.

In 2017 UNFPA commissioned the SDGs localization exercise to support the national efforts on how to apply an SDG lens to Governorates’ work. To ensure ownership and participation, a national consultation attended by Ministry of Planning, Monitoring and Administrative Reform (MoPMAR), Ministry of Local Development, and Ministry of International Cooperation was convened by UNFPA. During the meeting, thirty SDGs indicators related to six broad thematic areas were selected namely Health, Gender, Poverty, Employment, Education and Environment. The methodology of the exercise was to define local targets by setting end-values using statistical application. The aim was to take into account the sub-national contexts in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

In 2018 and early 2019, the roll out of SDGs localization in five governorates (Menia, Assiut, Sohag, Qena & Qalyoubeya) was implemented as UNFPA contribution to MAPS (mainstreaming, acceleration and policy support) Engagement in Egypt. The MoPMAR took the lead and ownership of the initiative.

A number of workshops were conducted at both the central and governorate levels to engage planning staff in the proposed localization model and processes of integrating the quantitative targets into the national/sub-national development plans. Also a matrix was developed for the projects that can accelerate the achievement of the set targets. A policy brief covering the planning system in Egypt was produced too.