The Role of Civil Society in Implementing the SDGs Locally

Abstract

This chapter aims to present the complex relations between the local actors, the municipality of Curitiba, and UNESCO via the UNESCO Creative Cities Network to implement the 2030 SDGs on the local level. From the case study, the chapter explores the shortcomings and Eurocentric approach of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and how local actors use the network requirements to gain local ownership of the goals' implementation. As a result, a mutually benefiting relationship arises. On the one hand, UNESCO Creative Cities Network widens its membership approach. On the other hand, local municipalities, such as Curitiba, change their structures to accommodate the SDG implementation by opening to multi-stakeholder governance. It applies a light-weighted approach of the inter-organizational framework and orchestration and makes use of document analysis, historical case analysis, and semi-structured interviews for data gathering.