17. Partnerships for the goals

At the national level, Sweden contributes through development aid (Glokala Sverige n.d.). Many of the targets are primarily relevant at national level.

The goal in a local context

At local level, Goal 17 is primarily about collaboration with various actors, but the municipality also has the opportunity to influence the goal through conscious procurement. In order to fulfil their welfare mission, municipalities and regions are dependent on broad collaboration. This involves both collaboration with other municipalities and regions and collaboration with business, academia and civil society. International co-operation is also important for solving complex societal challenges. Local, regional, national and international levels interact in the realisation of various goals (Glokala Sverige n.d.).

The Swedish Council for Local Government Analyses (RKA) has developed indicators for monitoring the global goals at municipal and regional level, which also serve as guidance in the City of Malmö's monitoring. However, there are no RKA indicators for Goal 17, and the City of Malmö has not yet selected any indicators of its own to monitor progress. Instead, below are some examples of how the City of Malmö contributes to the targets that are relevant at local level.

What it looks like in Malmö

Strengthening the global partnership

Today's complex global and local problems cannot be solved by a single actor, but the municipality needs to work actively together with other cities and regions globally. Malmö is part of a number of partnerships to share and exchange knowledge on several of the global goals. One example is ICLEI, an international network that brings together more than 2,500 cities and regions from 125 countries that share the vision that cities and city regions are the driving force behind global sustainable development. The City of Malmö has been a member of ICLEI since 1998 and plays a very active role in the network. Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh, Chair of the City Council, holds the position of Chair of the ICLEI Global Board (2024-2027) and Chair of the ICLEI Procurement Portfolio. Other examples of international networks in which the City of Malmö is involved are the European Healthy Cities network (WHO), Eccar (European Coalition of Cities Against Racism) and Eurocities.

The City of Malmö is also involved in various international networks and platforms that include stakeholders in business, academia and civil society. One example is EAT, an international platform focussing on creating a healthy and nutritious diet without negative consequences for the environment.

Co-operation between municipalities and regions

To fulfil their welfare mission, municipalities are dependent on broad collaboration with other municipalities and regions. One example is regional development work in areas such as infrastructure and transport, energy supply and business issues. However, collaboration with other municipalities and regions in Sweden takes place in a number of different assignments and areas, both through the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions' (SALAR) various networks and through other partnerships.

Collaboration with local business, civil society and academia

Malmö has a rich and diverse voluntary sector, an innovative and multifaceted business community and there are several universities and colleges in the Malmö area, such as Malmö University, Lund University, SLU Alnarp, World Maritime University, Kristianstad University and the universities in Copenhagen. Through collaboration with the local business community, civil society and academia, the City of Malmö can increase its joint ability to identify and solve complex societal challenges. Collaboration takes place in a variety of missions and areas.

Procurement

By consciously procuring goods produced abroad, the City of Malmö can also make a positive contribution to the global goals outside its borders. One example is the ethical requirements that the City of Malmö imposes on the supply of natural stone products to ensure that child labour and forced labour do not occur. The requirements were developed by a client group consisting of the City of Gothenburg, the City of Stockholm, the City of Malmö, the Municipality of Eskilstuna, the Municipality of Lund and the Municipality of Helsingborg, and are an example of how municipalities can join forces to contribute to positive development in poorer countries.

Another example is the procurement of IT products. With the help of conscious procurement, the City of Malmö is actively working towards a more sustainable, responsible and transparent IT industry. For example, since 2023, the mobile phone Fairphone has been part of Malmö's IT range. Fairphone sets requirements for fair working conditions, circular economy and minimised environmental impact.

References

Glokala Sverige (u.å.). Arbetsbok – Agenda 2030. Tillgänglig: https://fn.se/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Arbetsbok_Glokala_Sverige_2021.pdf