SDG report From Flemish Provinces, cities and towns
![SDG](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_main_image/public/2024-04/1433076E-5E53-4D3A-863C-2E40B47587FF.jpeg?itok=fyZCASRB)
This report is a joint publication of The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities vzw and The Association of Flemish Provinces. The commitment of provinces, cities and municipalities are crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Although two of the five Flemish Provinces are "SDG Pioneers" thanks to their motivation and innovative solutions, Flanders is currently not on track to achieve the SDG by 2030. The purpose of the report is not only to identify trends, it is also a tool to fuel, feed and strengthen the SDG story. Based on their data analysis, the report find that overall, there is clear progress toward achieving the SDGs. For four SDGs, there is a strong progress: SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 8 (jobs and economic growth), SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), SDG 10 (inequality reduction). There is one SDG that has consistently deteriorated since 2010, SDG 15 (life on land). This is mainly caused by a constant reduction in open space (paving) and a reduction in green space in 87% of municipalities. The report concludes that the Agenda 2030 as a compass and strategic framework has been put on the back burner by the succession of crises in Europe, especially COVID-19, the conflict in Ukraine, high inflation and accompanying pressure on local and provincial budgets. It formulates a number of recommendations: Strive for full partnerships: between governments at different levels and their citizens as well as internationally. The need for better data collection and data disclosure to measure the impact of policies. The connection between the 2030 Agenda and existing policy processes, programs and activities within all departments.