--- title: "Key takeaways from the SDGs Localization: From Recovery to Resilience workshop" description: This blog post offers key takeaways from an August 2021 workshop on the localization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). image: https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Tamarack-CCT-Sustainable-Development-Goals-localization_blog-image_2-1.jpg --- [![20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Administration/Tamarack%20Logos/20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png?width=200&height=47&name=20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png "20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange")](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/?hsLang=en-us) # Key takeaways from the SDGs Localization: From Recovery to Resilience workshop Posted on September 24, 2021 [By Jorge Garza](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/author/jorge-garza) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) On August 24, 2021, over 100 people joined us for a [workshop](https://youtu.be/l3-NE2bBvQk) to talk about approaches to localizing the [Sustainable Development Goals](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/) (SDGs) – that is, taking global priorities and orienting them toward local outcomes. We were thrilled to host speakers and participants from across Canada and the world who shared their stories of SDG collaboration and implementation, as well as their reflections and advice on challenges that may come up in this work. ** ** ### Messages on collaboration, partnership, and common goals Here are 10 takeaways from the [workshop conversations](https://youtu.be/l3-NE2bBvQk), which we hope to continue in our [new Community of Practice on SDG localization in Canada](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/cct-cop-sdg-localization?hsLang=en-us). Join us to learn more! 1. **Focus on a specific project** or set of projects to ground the SDG framework locally. This will help build momentum and concrete **opportunities for collaboration **between municipal and community leaders. It can also support** community engagement** backed by municipal commitment toward scaling and structural sustainability. A guiding question throughout this process is *What can you offer to the city, and what are you asking of it?* 2. Advancing the SDGs requires building and maintaining **strong relationships**. **Relationship-building** is about grounding ourselves on shared values, while **being intentional** in maintaining connections that we plan on keeping and considering **fundamental principles** to nurture them: **authenticity, humility, truth-telling. ** 3. We must acknowledge our common history to truly understand what it means to **leave no one behind** and strengthen our relationships. A starting point is to read key reports such as the *[Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada](https://nctr.ca/records/reports/#trc-reports)*. 4. Naming **common objectives** between the city and local stakeholders explicitly facilitates **data collection**, allows us to work toward a **common purpose,** and enables the emergence of more **impactful and integrated collaborations** to advance the SDGs, especially in the context of COVID-19. ![Tamarack-CCT-Sustainable-Development-Goals-localization_body-image-2](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Tamarack-CCT-Sustainable-Development-Goals-localization_body-image-2.jpg?width=300&name=Tamarack-CCT-Sustainable-Development-Goals-localization_body-image-2.jpg) 5. Conducting **research** on **community champions** who are already working with residents helps develop a holistic understanding of the strengths and challenges that communities face in localizing the global goals. 6. While **COVID-19** shed light on the structural and social inequalities of our time, it also **brought people together **in a way that we would not have seen otherwise. The pandemic demonstrated the **capacity of cities** to activate SDG localization in order to **tackle interconnected challenges** and **strengthen belonging** in times of social isolation. 7. The SDGs are not an extra framework for communities to report on. The [Global Goals](https://www.globalgoals.org/) contribute to **strengthening civic capacity** to **bridge the gap** between a global framework and existing local approaches, opening opportunities for **local solutions **to emerge. In this process, the interconnected and indivisible nature of the SDGs helps us integrate the dimensions of **ecological transition** and **diversity, equity, and inclusion**, as well as the dimensions of **people**, **planet**, and **prosperity**.   8. **Solving systemic challenges** is not something that happens quickly, nor is it executed by one or two organizations alone. We need to think of our **intergenerational connections** and set out a **long-term vision** of how we want our communities to be that goes beyond shorter-term political cycles.   9. Developing Community-City advisory committees that are working on common issues and engaging those committees into SDG work and planning is an example of **governance structures for collaboration**. These structures facilitate a common understanding of local priorities and support the development of a city plan that integrates SDG localization. 10. Support from **city mayors** is **game-changing** in building impactful partnerships between local governments, communities, philanthropy, and the private sector. Mayors are finding that the SDGs **resonate **as a common language across sectors, while offering opportunities to connect with international partners and contribute to a shared global vision that goes far beyond their community. ### Join the community of practice We look forward to further exploring these topics in our [Community of Practice on the localization of SDGs](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/cct-cop-sdg-localization?hsLang=en-us). See you there!     ### Further Your Learning - Sign up for the [Community Climate Transitions Newsletter ](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/communityclimatetransitions#newsletter) - Join the [Community of Practice on the Localization of SDGs](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/cct-cop-sdg-localization?hsLang=en-us) - Register for the upcoming webinar: [Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in Your Community](https://events.tamarackcommunity.ca/a-guide-for-advancing-the-sustainable-development-goals-in-your-community?hsLang=en-us) Topics: [Homepage Blog](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/topic/homepage-blog), [CCT blog](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/topic/cct-blog), [Climate Transitions](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/topic/climate-transitions), [SDGs](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/topic/sdgs) ![Jorge Garza](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Photos/Staff%20Photos%202026/Jorge%20Garza.jpg) ### By [Jorge Garza](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/author/jorge-garza) Jorge is leading a growing Canada-wide, asset-based movement that supports municipalities, institutions, and individuals to increase the collective sense of belonging. At Tamarack, he is excited to engage with more than 7,000 learners and nearly 700 local champions in making community belonging a policy priority in Canada. Jorge is a realistic optimist who loves being in community. He believes in everyone’s potential to build just futures. Jorge brings a diverse background of experience in strategy development, program design, and urban policy. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Fondation Béati. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgarza321/) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/jgarza321) ## Related Posts [![](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/pathway-to-lake-srikanth-peetha.jpg)](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/indigenous-understandings-of-sustainable-development-goal-1?hsLang=en-us) #### [Indigenous understandings of Sustainable Development Goal #1: Ending poverty in all its forms](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/indigenous-understandings-of-sustainable-development-goal-1?hsLang=en-us) [![](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Davos.png)](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/how-to-connect-a-visit-to-davos-prompts-questions-and-connections?hsLang=en-us) #### [How to connect: A visit to Davos prompts questions and connections](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/how-to-connect-a-visit-to-davos-prompts-questions-and-connections?hsLang=en-us) [![](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/group-meeting-mimi-thian-16x9-jpeg-high.jpg)](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/community-climate-transitions-second-national-gathering?hsLang=en-us) #### [Our climate future: Weaving reflections from Community Climate Transitions' second National Gathering](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/community-climate-transitions-second-national-gathering?hsLang=en-us) [![BACK TO THE LATEST](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/316071/e6ffa9bb-4467-4833-8ecc-eb340b11d829.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/316071/e6ffa9bb-4467-4833-8ecc-eb340b11d829) [![20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Administration/Tamarack%20Logos/20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png?width=3401&name=20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png "20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange")](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/?hsLang=en-us) ### Tamarack [Home](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/?hsLang=en-us) [Latest](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest) [Events](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/eventlisting?hsLang=en-us) [Donate](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/donate?hsLang=en-us) [About](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/whoweare?hsLang=en-us) ### Follow Us [** ** ](https://www.facebook.com/TamarackInstitute) [** ** ](https://twitter.com/Tamarack_Inst) [** ** ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/tamarack-institute-for-community-engagement)   In the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and truth we honour and acknowledge that our work occurs across Turtle Island (North America), which has been home since time immemorial to the ancestors of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples. ### Subscribe Be in the know. 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