Actions That Transform: Reviewing REDS–SDSN Spain’s Impact in 2025
The year 2025 has marked a period of renewal and strategic clarity for the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s Spain network (REDS–SDSN Spain), reinforcing its commitment to creating solutions for the current sustainable development challenges. During the Spanish Network for Sustainable Development (REDS) General Assembly on February 3, the network approved its new Executive Board and welcomed five new members to its Advisory Council. Dr. Estíbaliz Sáez de Cámara, a professor at the University of the Basque Country and the former network Vice President, stepped into the role of President, ushering in a new stage of leadership and collaboration.
Key Projects and Initiatives in 2025
Throughout 2025, REDS–SDSN Spain has refined its identity around four thematic priority areas: culture for sustainable development; ecological transition; universities and their local context; and narratives for sustainable development. Each of these areas has developed significant milestones for the organization throughout the year.
1. Culture for Sustainable Development
Since its founding, REDS-SDSN Spain has worked alongside cultural actors to promote the incorporation of the cultural dimension of sustainable development, mobilizing the sector and offering tools and spaces to connect both fields.
Throughout 2025, CULTSOS has been a flagship initiative for its focus on the cultural sector, aiming to strengthen its innovation, competitiveness, and resilience. It promotes research, develops new methodologies, and creates technological tools within the framework of the social economy and sustainable development.
Recently, the network launched the Methodology for Cultural Narratives and Projects Aligned with the SDGs, a practical tool designed to accompany cultural agents and organizations in their transition toward sustainability.
2. Universities and Their Local Context
Universities, given their crucial role in generating and disseminating knowledge and their central position within society, are called to play a fundamental role in the transition toward sustainable development.
This year, the UnicitiES 2030 initiative has expanded to the Canary Islands, pioneering collaborations with the universities and municipalities of Las Palmas and La Laguna. An inspiring model for other regions across Spain and a strong representation of the organisation’s mission of translating knowledge from academia to policy solutions. The project's main goal is to link students and local governments to co-create sustainable urban solutions.
In addition, through Global Teachers for a Sustainable Future, REDS-SDSN Spain seeks to transform higher education by integrating innovative and evidence-based approaches that foster a globally engaged and sustainability-oriented citizenry.
3. Ecological Transition
Our actions in this area seek to promote the shift towards a sustainable socioeconomic model for cities and rural areas. Alongside Ecoembes, which manages packaging recycling in Spain, the network has organized a series of meetings involving universities, research centres, and businesses to explore academia’s role in advancing a circular economy. The result is a new collaboration guide that strengthens ties between the academic and private sectors to be published in December 2025.
The push for renewable energy also continues to be a strong priority. After co-creating a 53-measure roadmap in 2024 to guide administrations and stakeholders in deploying onshore solar and wind infrastructure with Renewables with the Territories, REDS-SDSN Spain has advanced further in 2025 by taking these proposals to policymakers in the autonomous communities of Galicia and Catalunya.
Additionally, in collaboration with the local government of Mérida (Extremadura), REDS-SDSN Spain developed a roadmap and a practical guide for localizing the SDGs, fully aligned with the city’s Urban Agenda. This initiative shows the value of training and co-creation in bringing global goals down to the local level.
4. Narratives for Sustainable Development
The way we communicate global challenges and their solutions is crucial to mobilizing society towards real change. In 2025, REDS–SDSN Spain explored new approaches to explaining sustainable development, aiming to improve public understanding of issues such as international cooperation and the 2030 Agenda.
With the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union, and International Cooperation, the network contributed to shaping Spain’s national position ahead of the fourth International Conference for Financing Sustainable Development (FfD4) in Sevilla. This journey started with a multistakeholder session that brought together more than 80 participants from NGOs, academia, and the public sector, followed by a dialogue session at the European Parliament with three MEPs from different political groups, and a side event during the FfD4. Together, these activities resulted in a Policy Brief outlining ways to strengthen financing for sustainable development towards 2030 and 2050.
Similarly, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and 2030 Agenda, REDS-SDSN Spain has been promoting dialogues across different regions of the country to address key sustainable development challenges such as child poverty, social protections, climate change, and the well-being of future generations.
To empower young people to lead the promotion of the SDGs and the 2030 Spanish Sustainable Development Strategy (EDS 2030), the initiative Youth 2030 selected eight young participants from across Spain to receive training in communications, social media, and sustainable development. They later designed a social media campaign illustrating how the SDGs and the Spanish Sustainable Development Strategy connect with the everyday challenges faced by youth. The campaign will soon be available on REDS-SDSN Spain's social media channels.
Looking Ahead
With a renewed governance structure, clearer strategic priorities, and a growing number of impactful projects, REDS-SDSN Spain is consolidating its role as a catalyst for sustainable transformation. Whether through cultural innovation, city-university collaboration, or youth leadership, its 2025 agenda reflects a commitment not only to advancing the SDGs but also to reshaping the narratives and partnerships needed to make them a reality.
On September 30, the network celebrated the 10th anniversary of the 2030 Agenda, which also marked the 10th anniversary of the creation of REDS-SDSN Spain. To commemorate this milestone, an event was held to reflect on the progress achieved and the challenges that remain, emphasising the transference of initiatives from the global to the local level. The event featured the participation of the third Vice President and Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, Sara Aagensen, and the Minister of Social Rights, Consumption, and 2030 Agenda, Pablo Bustinduy.
As these transformative actions continue to unfold, the network is strengthening bridges across sectors, generations, and territories—moving Spain closer to the vision of the 2030 Agenda.
