At the recent SIDA Annual Conference in Edinburgh, a crucial question facing global sustainable development sector was raised: “With rising political instability and the spread of far-right populism, how can we show that global sustainable development benefits everyone?” One compelling solution proposed was to strengthen local democracy and engagement, aiming to counteract the sense of alienation that has fuelled populist movements. By encouraging grassroots participation, we can link local concerns to global issues, helping people feel a stronger sense of ownership and belonging both within their communities and on the global stage.
This idea resonates with findings from a recent survey conducted by a postgraduate student from Queen Margaret University (QMU) for Scotland’s International Development Alliance (SIDA). The survey looked into how a variety of organisations—ranging from community councils to small charities and social enterprises—engage with the SDGs. It assessed overall awareness, actions taken towards these goals, and the challenges faced.
The research uncovered an eye-opening insight: many grassroots organisations are already working on issues aligned with the SDGs but often do not use the specific SDG terminology. This disconnect suggests that while the SDGs appear abstract or distant, local groups are actively addressing related issues—like poverty, climate action, and mental health—without framing their work in global terms.
This gap presents both a challenge and a powerful opportunity that requires a shift from top-down frameworks to a model where communities define their own paths to sustainable development. Notably, many community councils felt that the SDGs were irrelevant to their immediate concerns. One respondent noted, “Action on UN SDGs is not within the remit of Community Councils,” reflecting a broader sentiment that global goals often seem disconnected from local issues. To overcome this, we must present global issues in ways that resonate with local priorities and local partnerships.
However, several barriers to SDG engagement persist. Survey respondents highlighted challenges, such as organisational priorities, budget constraints, and insufficient staff. Promoting community philanthropy and reallocating resources to grassroots organisations are practical steps toward empowering local communities. This could involve multi-year grants, core funding support, and stronger partnerships with local authorities. Many respondents are already engaging their communities through social media, workshops, and local events, but they identified additional support—especially in terms of funding and networking opportunities—as crucial for amplifying their impact.
SIDA’s focus on global citizenship offers a valuable framework for bridging local and global perspectives. By prioritising the voices of diaspora and ethnic minority communities in discussions of global citizenship, Scotland can ensure that its development agenda is more inclusive, relevant, accessible and reflective of those most affected by global injustices. This approach not only decolonises the development process but also enriches our collective efforts to tackle shared global challenges. By bridging local efforts with global goals, Scotland can foster active global citizenship and address shared challenges through locally driven, globally connected actions.
You can read the report below: