EU, Norway stress stronger local role in Bangladesh’s SDG journey

The European Union (EU) has praised the interim government's intervention and steps in improving the quality of data crucial for implementing a country's development plan.

Dr Michal Krejza, Head of the Development Cooperation and Minister Counsellor of the EU Delegation, shared this view in a seminar. The event, titled "The Power of Local: How Grassroots Communities Drive SDG Achievement in Bangladesh," was organized by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in the city on Thursday.

Since August 5, 2024, there has been increased scrutiny on the quality of data used for national development planning, highlighting the need for reliable information to empower local communities in driving effective progress.

It is worth noting that the Bangladesh Awami League in the past manipulated data to conceal the true economic situation. They adjusted statistics on GDP growth, exports, imports, employment, and poverty to present a more optimistic picture of the country.

Dr. Michal Krejza, a Dutch citizen, shared his personal experience in the Netherlands. He noted his country's expertise in Delta management. The Dutch government involves local communities in planning and implementing development projects.  

He added that the success of the SDGs requires community involvement, especially the engagement of women, and reiterated the EU's ongoing support for localised SDG efforts in Bangladesh.

Norway's Ambassador in Dhaka, Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen, said, "Bangladesh has achieved notable progress on the 2030 Agenda. The country overcame resource shortages and climate challenges. To promote the implementation of the SDGs, Bangladesh has established an Inter-Ministerial Committee on SDG Implementation. It developed an SDG Tracker with 39 indicators and a National Action Plan with targets for each ministry and division."

Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen said, "Localisation of the SDGs means including them in local plans and empowering local governments to work toward them. The Natore Model is a good example. In Natore District, the local administration has created an SDG District Action Plan for all offices and stakeholders, based on the 2030 Agenda. This model addresses local issues across agencies. It is now defined as a model by the government and could be replicated in other areas."

He highlighted the role of the Norwegian Government in the effort to localise SDGs in developing countries. In these efforts, Norway typically focuses on human rights, governance, peace, gender equality, climate change, and natural resource management.

Norway discusses democracy, corruption, and human rights to ensure SDG localization promotes good governance and inclusion. He added, "We support local governments with training, technical expertise, and tools to localize SDGs. We help develop SDG indicators, support statistical capacity, and improve data collection."

In Bangladesh, Norwegian funds support projects that strengthen local democracy through transparency and accountability. These include the BALLOT project of UNDP for the 2026 parliamentary election and another focused on women's political participation. Norway also supported a UNDP project promoting tolerance and inclusivity. Some activities encourage civil society involvement by supporting NGOs and local partners to improve access and women's leadership in politics. Other efforts focus on climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, renewable energy, and climate adaptation.

Norway has also supported women's rights organizations, legal aid NGOs, and community climate groups, both directly and indirectly, in the past. All these supports were linked to MDGs in the past and SDGs in recent years.

Dr Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), moderated the seminar.

BIISS Director General Major General Iftekhar Anis stressed that local communities' experiences and solutions are essential for inclusive policy-making and progress.

Sudhir Muralidharan, Country Manager of UNOPS Bangladesh and Bhutan, highlighted the value of collaboration, noting that sustainable change depends on inclusive, community-led planning.

Delivering the keynote address, Professor of Development Studies at the University of Dhaka Dr Maruful Islam, emphasised that bridging gaps in data and governance at the local level is crucial: "We have the vision, but to realize it, we must empower local actors, safeguard their autonomy, and strengthen data and institutions to turn plans into tangible outcomes.

Planning Division Secretary Iqbal Abdullah Harun reaffirmed the commitment to empowering local governments to lead SDG implementation, noting that their success is key to the nation's progress.

Khushi Kabir, Coordinator of Nijera Kori, emphasised that community-driven approaches lead to more sustainable and equitable development, and that the roundtable acknowledges this power.

The discussion concluded with three key takeaways: strengthening local data systems, enhancing financing, and deepening collaboration among governments, partners, and civil society to achieve the SDGs. The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) is a premier institute for policy-relevant studies on international and strategic affairs. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) offers expertise in infrastructure, procurement, human resources, and project management to support the UN and its partners worldwide.