Honduras Empowers Local Communities to Lead Sustainable Development

Honduras is pioneering a transformative approach to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by embracing SDG localization, a process that empowers local communities to take ownership of their development and tailor solutions to their unique needs and priorities. This approach recognizes that local governments are the closest tier of governance to the people, best equipped to understand their needs, and most capable of driving meaningful change.

The Honduran government, in collaboration with the UN Country Team (UNCT) and UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) under the leadership of Resident Coordinator Alice Harding Shackelford is spearheading this initiative   by promoting Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs). VLRs are a monitoring tool that tracks SDG progress at the local level, acting as powerful accelerators for SDG localization. 

At the ongoing High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in July 2024, Honduras will present its third Voluntary National Review (VNR) and for the first time, two municipalities, San Nicolás and Intibucá will also prepare VLRs.   

Empowering municipalities

The Honduran government, with the support of the UN, provided training and resources to the participating municipalities — San Nicolás and Intibucá ­­ — equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge to effectively implement the VLR process. 

This process involves engaging local leaders, community members, and representatives from various sectors through a series of open dialogues. These discussions help identify local challenges and priorities, gather crucial data, and create tailored strategies to achieve the SDGs. Importantly, the dialogues also explored SDG accelerators that can have a catalytic and multiplier effect on all SDGs. For example investments in food systems, can create a ripple effect of positive change across multiple SDGs, including poverty (SDG 1), health (SDG 3), and gender equality (SDG 5). 

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The Resident Coordinator's Office (RCO) played a pivotal role in mobilizing essential resources and expertise to ensure the success of this process. The RCO's convening power was instrumental in bringing together diverse groups, including development partners, local communities, civil society organizations, and others, to participate in focus groups within each municipality.

However, reaching marginalized communities presented unique challenges due to limited connectivity, geographical distances, and other access barriers. Recognizing the importance of inclusivity, the RCO and UNDESA provided financial support to local governments to conduct focus groups specifically in these areas. This ensured that the voices and perspectives of often-overlooked populations were heard and incorporated into the VLRs. 

The Resident Coordinator actively participated in these focus groups, fostering direct dialogue with indigenous people, persons with disabilities, youth, private sector representatives, and civil society organizations, among others. These discussions not only allowed communities to share their challenges and priorities but also facilitated a two-way exchange of information, ensuring that everyone understood the purpose of the VLRs and how their input would be used to drive meaningful change.

Collaboration for collective impact

SDG localization is crucial because it empowers communities to tailor development solutions to their specific needs and priorities, fostering ownership and sustainability. Therefore, beyond the initial VLRs in two municipalities, the UN in Honduras is taking further steps to expand SDG localisation across the country.

The RCO led a strategic vision that brought together the UNCT, UNDESA, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the Honduran Secretariat of Strategic Planning (SPE) and the Association of Municipalities of Honduras (AMHON). Together, they engaged local authorities from 15 municipalities in a collaborative workshop focused on equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to collect data for VLRs, align their programmes with the SDGs, and prepare for future VLR implementation. 

This collaborative effort is crucial in supporting the government, at both national and local levels, in refining its sustainable development strategies and aligning them with the 2030 Agenda.  

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Building a sustainable future together

Honduras's commitment to SDG localisation is  about achieving the SDGs; but also  about building a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future for all Hondurans. By empowering local communities to take the lead in their development, Honduras is fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility, ensuring that the SDGs are not just global aspirations but local realities.

The UN remains committed to strategically supporting Honduras in its long-term journey towards sustainable development. Leveraging the insights gained through VLRs and the VNR, the RC will facilitate strategic dialogues between the UNCT and AMHON leadership. These dialogues will focus on aligning local priorities and progress with the ongoing UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and the government's ambitious commitments to the SDGs. The UN will also actively disseminate key findings, advocate for data-driven decision-making among stakeholders, and collaborate with local actors to develop targeted action plans that prioritize key areas and accelerate progress towards national SDG targets.

Honduras's pioneering efforts in SDG localization is a roadmap for other countries. It demonstrates the power of local action in driving global goals and highlights the importance of collaboration, capacity building, and community engagement in achieving sustainable development.

To learn more about the work of the UN in Honduras visit honduras.un.org. 

The ongoing High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2024 is the central United Nations platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the global level.