Local governments play a central role in implementing the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were agreed upon by the United Nations in 2015.

To systematically assess their progress and communicate it transparently, an increasing number of cities and municipalities are preparing Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs). At the same time, many local governments face similar challenges: reliable data and suitable indicators are often lacking, monitoring systems are only partially established, and preparing a VLR requires effective collaboration across departments as well as a clear methodological approach.

This project supports South African and German municipalities in addressing these challenges together and learning from one another. For this purpose, CCC supports the design and implementation of an international knowledge and peer-learning exchange.

Our approach combines methodological depth with practical tools, empowering municipalities to manage and communicate their SDG reporting in a data-driven and transparent way. Through co-creative workshops, we bring together perspectives from both countries, build a shared understanding of challenges and opportunities, and translate complex requirements into clear, actionable steps.

The following municipalities participated in the knowledge exchange: Aschaffenburg, Bergrevier, Bonn, Böblingen, Bremen, Buffalo City, Buxtehude, Cape Town, eThekwini (Durban), Geestland, Hamburg, Lephalale, Lüneburg, Matzikama, Mossel Bay, Moses Kotane, Neustadt in Holstein, Pirmasens, Spiesen-Elversberg, Tshwane, and Waterberg.

One of the key outputs of the project is a practical guide designed to support municipalities in independently planning and successfully preparing their own Voluntary Local Reviews.

The project was commissioned by Engagement Global and its Service Agency Communities in One World (SKEW) and implemented in close cooperation with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). Funding was provided by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).