Opportunities and Challenges for Local Government Institutions in Localising Sustainable Development Goals in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The post-2015 development Agenda is premised on ‘leaving no one behind’ in its quest to realise sustainable development. Consequently, there have been increasing clarion calls for the localisation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This qualitative study interrogates the potential of key governance and development institutions in localising SDGs in Zimbabwe. Data were gathered through a literature review and key informant interviews with 25 purposively and conveniently sampled leaders and experts in local development. With a focus on traditional leadership and the Rural District Councils (RDCs), the chapter unearths a wide range of opportunities for infusing SDG targets into by-laws, policy and development plans; forging of partnerships for community and resource mobilisation; and funding of SDGs, conflict management, service provision and ecological resource management in rural communities. In practice, however, the potential of local government institutions to localise SDGs is limited by institutional incapacity, resource constraints, limited autonomy and imperfect flow of information and data on SDGs, political patronage and corrupt tendencies. Resultantly, the implementation of SDGs by a majority of local institutions has been piecemeal and insignificant. The chapter vouches for capacity building and resourcing of local institutions and their leaders to understand and effectively localise SDGs.