Local Solutions, Global Goals
How can localized solutions address complex challenges?
Focusing on the specific needs of communities empowers cities to drive meaningful progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
Local Solutions, Global Goals
How can localized solutions address complex challenges? Focusing on the specific needs of communities empowers cities to drive meaningful progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
This is Jovanie Samosino, he lives in Butuan, Phillipines. Home to 372,000 inhabitants, Butuan is located 799 km from the capital, Manila.
One of the main challenges in Butuan was the high incidence of hunger and food insecurity, linked to issues in local food production, including:
VEGETABLES NEEDS
18%
of Butuan’s vegetable needs were covered by local sources
VEGETABLES PRICE
77%
higher vegetable prices were recorded in Butuan compared to the rest of the Philippines
PRODUCTION X RETAIL PRICES
Significant
disparity
between farmgate and retail prices, which further exacerbated the challenges faced by local farmers
To address these challenges, the AgriBOOST project was launched, bringing positive change to lives like Jovanie
The programme supports farmers with predictive data for crop planning and works to stabilize key commodity prices, involving consumers and businesses for broader impact. To achieve its objectives, the project created four different components:
AgriBloom supports farmers with resources, training, and market access to adopt scientific practices and compete effectively
AgriHub connects farmers and vendors through dynamic pricing and offers facilities for processing, quality control, and fair trade
AgriMart organizes small vendors to ensure a steady supply of quality vegetables at consistent retail prices
AgriBOOST Comms engages stakeholders to promote farmer participation and healthier diets through fresh produce consumption
TOTAL: 720 beneficiaries
As a result, Jovanie and 720 others have experienced significant benefits across various dimensions
The main outcomes, are outlined below
INCOME
Thanks to this initiative, farmers in Butuan experienced an increase household incomes and gained valuable market access through Agrihub
FARMERS’ AVERAGE MONTHLY HOUSEHOLD INCOME
FARMERS INCOME FROM ACCESSING MARKET THROUGH AGRIHUB
These contributions align with target 1.2, which aims to reduce by at least half the share of people of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions
COMUNITY
Training and education were crucial to empower the local farming community. These results show that many farmers received guidance in production, financial literacy, and leadership
NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES WHO RECEIVED TRAININGS
on vegetable production, financial and digital literacy, and organizational and leadership development
120
beneficiaries at the start of the project
MARCH 2023
720
beneficiaries at the end of the project
APRIL 2025
NUMBER OF FARMERS WHO ACCESSED MARKET THROUGH AGRIHUB
35
farmers at the start of the project
MARCH 2023
185
farmers at the end of the project
APRIL 2025
food production
Vegetable processing in Butuan grew by 66% weekly and 87% annually, reflecting major progress in food production capacity and local resilience
VEGETABLE PROCESSED BY THE AGRIHUB ANNUALLY
AVERAGE WEEKLY VEGETABLE PROCESSED THROUGH AGRIHUB
VEGETABLES PROCESSED BY PROJECT VS. LOCAL TOTAL PRODUCTION
INCREASE IN THE VEGETABLE SELF-SUFICIENCY OF BUTUAN
These results contribuited to the following SDGs:
The case of Butuan exemplifies one of the 8 cities where residents have experienced significant changes due to local government's actions. These 8 cities have developed localized solutions tailored to their specific contexts
They demonstrate, that by focusing on the specific needs of communities, cities can make significant progress towards achieving the SDGs and ensuring that no one is left behind
Click on the links below to see what was achieved in each one of the other cities
Kumasi: Home Toilet Solution
To address poor sanitation and open defecation, Kumasi, Ghana, launched a program offering interest-free loans for residents to build home toilets. A revolving fund ensures sustainability. The local youth is trained to construct toilets adapted to community needs. The initiative boosts public health, infrastructure, and employment by combining financial access, technical support, and skills development.
SUPPORTS THESE SDGS:
Private bathrooms constructed
Private toilets constructed
3065
residents with access to safe and hygienic private toilets
19%
reduction in the use of public toilets and open defecation by households
50
unemployed youth trained on biodigester construction
96
trained youth gainfully employed to install biodigester toilets
Bogotá: District Care System
In Bogotá, Colombia, 30% of women are full-time caregivers. To reduce this burden, the city created “care blocks” offering services for caregivers and those they care for. Through care centres, mobile care buses, and an innovative Home Care Programme, Bogotá’s District Care System promotes gender equity, improves well-being, and fosters shared caregiving responsibilities across families.
SUPPORTS THESE SDGS:
Also contributing to Goals:
103
residents with access to safe and hygienic private toilets
85
caregivers received training certification
of caregivers report an increase in their self-care practices
per day was the reduction in the time spent directly caring for a person with a disability
per month per caregiver was the reduction in time allocated to care tasks
Rourkela: Women-Led Cold Storage Network
To reduce food waste and support women entrepreneurs, Rourkela, India, is providing solar-powered cold-storage units to extend the shelf life of local produce. Managed by women’s cooperatives, the initiative promotes economic empowerment, food security, and mobility. It also links farmers to bulk buyers, uses electric rickshaws for delivery, and incorporates green technologies, creating a more inclusive and sustainable food system.
SUPPORTS THESE SDGS:
Also contributing to Goals:
1,066.3 Kg
vegetables and fruits were checked into the cold room to reduce food wastage and increase income
Average cold room utilisation (Dec 2024)
Percentage increase in income levels of members from participating women federation (March 2025)
Sales of vegetables distributed to bulk institutions (measured via rupees)
USD 112,406.36
(9,728,883 INR)
Kigali: Smart Water & Waste Solution
To improve living conditions in informal settlements, Kigali, Rwanda, introduced an innovative system that combines rainwater harvesting, flood control, and smart waste management. The project includes underground reservoirs, sensor-equipped waste bins, community training, and local maintenance committees, empowering residents and strengthening urban resilience.
SUPPORTS THESE SDGS:
Also contributing to Goals:
95%
of households segregating waste
Number of residents/households trained on the operation and maintainence of project facilities
Number of households utilizing the collection stations and segregating wastes
Freetown: Smart Forest Initiative
To combat climate change and urban degradation, Freetown, Sierra Leone, launched a reforestation initiative combining technology and community engagement. Each tree planted is tracked digitally, verified by technicians, and linked to a unique token. These tokens generate revenue through carbon offset investments, funding further reforestation. The project creates a sustainable, resilient city model aligned with Freetown’s Climate Action Plan.
SUPPORTS THESE SDGS:
Also contributing to Goals:
977,000
Baseline
1,202,000
Latest available data
of Western Area residents are covered by the #FreetownTheTreetown program.
GREEN JOBS CREATED:
Baseline
Latest available data
Hermosillo: Green Jobs for Women
In Hermosillo, Mexico, women face disproportionate unemployment and only 2% of city waste is recycled. To address both issues, the city launched “Biciclando,” a circular-economy initiative that promotes female green employment. The project includes a fleet of up to 24 cargo bikes, recycling education, a new Circular Economy Center, and upgraded cycling infrastructure, creating new opportunities while advancing sustainability.
SUPPORTS THESE SDGS:
Also contributing to Goals:
Kilos of recyclable material collected through Biciclando (Jan 2025)
Average KG of recycling collected/day (Dec 2024)
Total collection days per month (Dec 2024)
3 to 7 days per month
Average number of stops per day.
Average income per day (USD).
7 USD
Amman: Reachability Maps for Resilient Services
After struggling to deliver food and healthcare during the pandemic, Amman, Jordan, developed reachability maps to identify service gaps and now launches an interactive open-data platform for residents. The project increases civic trust, walkable access to services, and urban resilience.
13
workshops and events organized
442
Residents that participate in the feedback workshops
SUPPORTS THESE SDGS:
Also contributing to Goals:
Linking local initiatives to global outcomes
By aligning city-level innovations with the overarching SDG framework, it illustrates the significant impact of local actions on global sustainability objectives.
The diverse initiatives undertaken by these cities and their focus on addressing the specific needs of vulnerable populations reflect a strong commitment to the principle of “Leaving No One Behind”
These initiatives offer innovative solutions and inspire other communities to follow a similar path. With that in mind, we highlight some of the key lessons learned below
These initiatives demonstrate how city-level innovations, when aligned with the SDGs, can have a meaningful impact on broader sustainability objectives
Focusing on vulnerable and marginalized populations, shows the importance of tailoring solutions to specific community needs
Many projects deliver cross-cutting results, improving income, food security, sanitation, and gender equality, highlighting the value of multi-sectoral strategies
Empowering local actors and involving communities in the design and implementation of solutions enhances social inclusion
Visual storytelling and data visualization by Datadot Estudio, co-designed with the SDG Local Action team