Partnerships for SDG 11 Implementation in Brazil: Understanding the Vulnerabilities and Common Interests from a Multi-Stakeholder Perspective

Abstract

The success of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will require a great deal of coordination. Some measures can be adopted to improve the implementation of SDGs in a more integrative way. The seventeen goals adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015 are integrated and indivisible and should be implemented based on global partnership. Considering that multi-stakeholder partnership can be a critical factor in achieving the goals, understanding the potential of collaboration between distinct stakeholders is an essential starting point for successful SDG implementation. In Brazil, a national strategy to implement the SDGs has already been launched and involves many challenges that need to be overcome. In this research, to get better knowledge of the ongoing implementation of SDG 11, “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable,” a qualitative analysis was carried out to identify the major vulnerabilities and common interests for an integrated implementation of SDG 11 in Brazil. Data was collected through stakeholder interviews and document review. A total of thirty-three highly representative stakeholders were sampled purposively from six stakeholder’s categories: 1) National Government, 2) Business and Industry, 3) Non-Governmental Organizations, 4) Scientific and Technological Institutions, 5) Youth, and 6) UNDP Representative. Findings suggest that there are more trade-offs than synergies concerning the implementation of SDG 11 in Brazil. Also, governance structure, funding allocation, and social participation are key themes to be addressed by the Brazilian government to achieve better coordination and enhance the integrated implementation of SDG 11 in Brazil.