Overview 

With approximately 4 years remaining until the 2030 Agenda deadline, countries are accelerating efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  However, the world continues to grapple with unprecedented challenges which expose fragile systems and threaten progress. In this context, “Localizing the SDGs” brings opportunities for shaping responses and planning for a sustainable recovery. 

In Zambia, the Government is advancing deliberate reforms to accelerate SDG implementation through its decentralization agenda. The Decentralization Policy as enshrined in the Constitutional Amendment Act No.2 of 2016 (Article 147), mandates the devolution of structures from national to local government levels by 2027, empowering local councils to manage local affairs and resources. As such, local action and leadership are essential to identify innovative, collective, and coordinated pathways for sustainable development. 

Effective planning and budgeting are central to achieving national development objectives. They ensure alignment between policy priorities and available resources while promoting efficiency and accountability in public expenditure. Through the Joint SDG Fund, UNDP has been supporting the country to localize the SDGs in Solwezi, Katete and Petauke by developing a National Planning and Budgeting Orientation toolkit. The toolkit is designed to support local planning and budgeting so that it aligns with the 8th National Development Plan (8NDP), the Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The issue at hand 

Despite strong national commitments, several structural constraints continue to limit the full operationalization of decentralization at the local level. One key challenge is the misalignment of planning frameworks. For instance, while the 8NDP operates on a five-year cycle, the IDPs at the district level span ten years, which can create inconsistencies in planning, budgeting, and reporting processes. In addition, there remain opportunities to strengthen equitable resource allocation at the sub-national level. Districts with varying levels of development often receive broadly similar allocations, which may not always sufficiently reflect differing needs and starting points. This can then constrain the ability of less developed districts to accelerate progress and respond fully to local priorities.

Another critical constraint is the limited availability and use of reliable data and evidence. Many districts face significant challenges in generating and using local data to inform development priorities. Weak monitoring and evaluation systems further limit the ability of districts to track progress and contribute to national development reporting. 

Inclusive participation also remains a significant concern. In many districts, meaningful participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in planning and budgeting processes is still limited. Strengthening collaboration with traditional leaders who play a vital role in local governance is equally important to promote local ownership of development initiatives.

At the community level, Ward Development Committees (WDCs) play an increasingly important role in ensuring that development planning reflects the needs and priorities of communities. These committees act as the lowest level structure for local development. They are responsible for identifying the local needs of their communities and formulating their Ward Development Plans (WDPs) that then align with the IDPs of the respective districts and then into the broader national planning framework. However, despite their critical role, many WDCs face capacity constraints that limit their ability to effectively participate in development planning and budgeting. 

These challenges are compounded by limited technical tools and guidance to help WDCs align community priorities with broader development frameworks such as the SDGs, 8NDP, and IDPs. Weak feedback mechanisms between local authorities and WDCs further undermine coordination.  At the same time, Local Authorities have limited capacity to effectively identify and forecast locally generated resources for development.  As decentralization reforms continue to channel more resources to the district level, the need for stronger planning, coordination and resource management mechanisms between WDCs and the local authorities has become increasingly critical.