The “Empowered Partnership for Sustainable Development” project

Joint project of Government of Sweden and United Nations Development Programme

Project summary

The project pilots a multi-stakeholder partnership approach at the regional and local levels to address sustainable development challenges in Ukraine using Swedish experience, knowledge and best practices in the sustainable development area.

The Project will facilitate collaboration among regional and local authorities, councils, universities, civic institutions, experts and businesses to streamline sustainable development, including comprehensive measures to alleviate the impact of COVID-19 at the local level.

Project activities will be based on best practice, using the SymbioCity approach. SymbioCity is an approach pioneered by the Government of Sweden to promote sustainability changes at the local level, which fosters the implementation of the Agenda 2030. Throughout the Project’s implementation cycle, UNDP and its partners will develop and test mutual problem-solving mechanisms, resource mobilization, and reinforcing effective partnerships for achieving sustainable development.

The Project aims to promote sustainable development at the local and regional levels by strengthening multilateral partnerships and implementing pilot projects to address urgent issues, including countering and mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Project objectives:

  • to build functional partnership platforms which will be able to launch and implement sustainable development processes, and to empower the capacities of the institutions to address common risks effectively;
  • to support local initiatives directed at finding ways to achieve strong institutional cooperation and sustainable development solutions, using a holistic approach, following the example of the SymbioCity approach.
  • to contribute to the synergy among all interested actors working together to increase people's well-being and comfort, through building a rational economy, social responsibility and protecting the environment.

Expected results

The 15 most interesting and replicable initiatives directed at sustainable development problem solving, worked out within a multi-stakeholder approach, will be supported and implemented under the Project, which will also cover comprehensive measures to alleviate the impact of COVID-19 at the local level.

Priority areas for support

  • sustainable mobility [1];
  • improved energy efficiency;
  • sustainable waste management;
  • promoting local economic development;
  • responding to the region’s social and economic needs and providing innovative solutions in the areas of socio-economic development, education, employment, healthcare, urban design, and community engagement, which will contribute to the maintenance, expansion, or diversification of business initiatives after the COVID-19 crisis.

[1]Sustainable mobility is mobility following the principles of sustainable development. Sustainable mobility includes the provision of services and infrastructure for the mobility of people and goods— advancing economic and social development to benefit today’s and future generations — in a manner that is safe, affordable, accessible, efficient, and resilient, while minimizing carbon and other emissions, and other environmental impacts. A sustainable transport system should be robust in the face of negative external factors. At the same time, it should fulfil its main function, which is enhanced mobility for all, including for the poor and for vulnerable groups.

Project budgetSEK 10,000,000
Timeframe 12 October 2018 – 31 December 2020
DonorGovernment of Sweden