With 65 per cent of SDG targets estimated to be linked to the work of local and regional governments, effective localization is a pre-condition for achieving SDGs. In recent years, the role of local governments has gained prominence and visibility at the international level, recognized by Member States in General Assembly resolutions and HLPF Political Declarations, and by the Secretary-General in his reports “Our Common Agenda” and “Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals: Towards a Rescue Plan for People and Planet 2023”. In the face of multiple global crises that have slowed, and in some cases, reversed progress on SDG implementation, localization has become more important than ever and local governments from all regions have been “rising to the occasion,” increasingly seizing upon the 2030 Agenda and working to make it a reality in their local contexts. One of the ways that local governments have been doing this is through the process of preparing sub-national reviews of their SDG implementation (voluntary local reviews) to reinforce vertical and horizontal policy coherence and complement voluntary national reviews (VNRs). At the same time, local and regional governments particularly, as detailed below, in the Africa region, face significant challenges in delivering on the 2030 Agenda. The present project will support both national and local governments in selected African countries to accelerate inclusive implementation of the 2030 Agenda through strengthening local and national government capacities for localization of the SDGs. It will do so by building on the successful implementation of the Italian funded project on Improved local and national government capacities for localizing SDGs progress through Voluntary Local Reviews (2022-2024), providing continued support for review and reporting on SDG implementation and further supporting national and local governments to address financing challenges for SDG delivery by local governments and to strengthen planning for SDG achievement.

The project aims to enhance and strengthen knowledge, policy development and national capacities of developing countries and countries with economies in transition to improve their policies and programmes supporting the growth of micro-, small-, and medium-enterprises (MSMEs) in order to promote productive activities, job creation, income generation and entrepreneurship especially among socially disadvantaged groups including women, youth, and to effectively contribute to the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The project activities focus on developing policy and program options to build capacities and promote MSMEs in developing countries, to develop global and regional networks for enhancing collaboration and partnerships, to exchange experiences and lessons learned, including through HLPF.
Sustainable development requires growth of economic activities, production of goods and services, creation of employment opportunities, revenue growth and infrastructure development without compromising environmental and social integrity. In this regard, the role of the private sector, in particular, of MSMEs cannot be overemphasized. Micro-, small- and medium-enterprises are present in almost every country of the world. Their role is even more vital in the developing countries. Formal SMEs contribute up to 45 percent of total employment and up to 33 percent of national income (GDP) in emerging economies. These numbers are significantly higher when micro enterprises and informal SMEs are included. MSMEs often involve people with little or no financial resources who also face tremendous barriers to access the conventional financial institutions for start-up businesses due to their poverty and lack of collateral assets. In addition, MSMEs are constrained by lack of capacity and knowledge on launching businesses, market access and other resources. Furthermore, many developing countries have not been able to fully tap the potentials of MSMEs due to weak policy, institutional and support mechanisms. MSMEs can be a powerful vehicle to improve economic and social conditions of individuals, communities and society. Accordingly, the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development has specific targets regarding MSMEs under Goal 8 but the significance of and support for MSMEs have been mentioned in many other Goals and Targets.
Add core problems/issues: lack of access to financial resources, credit, business operation capacities, market analysis skills and management skills. Lack of regional and global initiatives to strengthen the capacities of government agencies and financial sectors to provide necessary policy and operation support to the MSMEs.
Who are the key beneficiaries? The public sector agencies, in particular the ministries/agencies of planning and economic development, as well as the business association in support of MSMEs, and private sector, including the financial sector and trade associations, will be the main beneficiaries of the project. It is expected that the eventual beneficiaries of the project will be the MSME entrepreneurs including women and youth.
What/whose capacities will be strengthened by this project? Government ministries/agencies, business associations in support of MSMEs, MSME entrepreneurs, credit agencies and other lending institutions for MSMEs.
Main entities involved? DSD together with DPAD, FfD, UNDP, UNIDO, UNCTAD, ADB, AFDB and WB and other UN system partners; WBCSD and other business groups and foundations in support of MSMEs, through collaboration in desk studies, assessments, workshops and when appropriate, advisory services.
What capacities to be enhanced? Planning, policy formulation, training, market analysis, access to credit, business plan development, business management, accounting, etc. Building global and regional networks of MSME practitioners, financial sector, IT sector and relevant government agencies.