Engaging Stakeholders to Achieve the SDGS: The Case of the Province of Bataan

Abstract

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 ASD) was designed to address global problems like poverty, conservation of the planet, and peace and prosperity. Successfully pursuing it, however, will be highly dependent on how local and regional governments implement the agenda—the rapid realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) would involve various actors ranging from civil society organizations to the academe, the corporate sector, and many private individuals. This paper presents a case study on stakeholder engagement undertaken at the local level to achieve the SDGs, specifically in the Philippine province of Bataan. The selection of Bataan Province stems from its rich ecological profile, wide range of enterprises, vast development opportunities, and visionary leadership by which it displays its potential to address all 17 SDGs. The study used semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions involving ten representatives from different stakeholder groups—business enterprises, government institutions, and civil society. Thematic analysis was then employed, which showed that stakeholder engagement in the form of consultations, partnerships, networking, dialogues, and dissemination of records was conducted in all stages of the projects and programs geared toward the attainment of SDGs in the province. The wide range of stakeholders being engaged includes the government, non-government organizations, civil society organizations, the private sector, the academe, students and young leaders, and local communities. Strategies have also been put in place to overcome barriers to stakeholder involvement. Based on the results, a proposed framework for stakeholder engagement to achieve the SDGs may be used to guide how local SDG actors can engage their stakeholders in each step of the programs and projects for SDG realization.

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Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals, sustainability, stakeholder engagement, regional government, local government, Province of Bataan