SDSN Portugal Reflects on Two Years of Impact: Strengthening Connections Between Knowledge and Action
As the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s Portuguese network (SDSN Portugal) marks its second anniversary, the network reaffirms its commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through collaborative action that connects academia, government, civil society, and the private sector.
In a year marked by geopolitical turbulence and setbacks in global sustainable development progress, SDSN Portugal has remained focused on its core mission: mobilizing knowledge to address real-world challenges. With 26 active members and an Advisory Council of 28 experts from diverse sectors, the network has deepened its engagement across Portuguese society and expanded its international reach.
Building Institutional Foundations
In 2025, SDSN Portugal made critical advances in its governance and strategic direction. In February, the network convened its Advisory Council, during which Professor Maria João Rodrigues, President of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies, addressed the implementation of the UN Pact for the Future. The discussion highlighted both the opportunities and challenges facing multilateral cooperation in the current global climate.
SDSN Portugal also formalised its collaboration with the Portuguese government through PLANAPP, agreeing to support the launch of "Roadmap 2030," a strategic initiative to accelerate SDG implementation at the national level.
Empowering Youth Leadership
Recognizing that young people are essential partners in sustainable development, SDSN Portugal launched several youth-focused initiatives. In February, 35 young people from across the country participated in a workshop on youth integration in decision-making processes, organized in partnership with the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. The workshop resulted in a concrete action plan and an emerging SDSN Youth Portugal group, which has met regularly to develop project proposals and a sustainable structure for youth engagement.
Localizing the SDGs: From Municipalities to the PALOP Region
One of SDSN Portugal's flagship initiatives is the UNI-MUNICÍPIOS project, which brings together universities, municipalities, and students to co-create solutions for local sustainability challenges. Inspired by SDSN Spain's UNICITIES model, the project launched its pilot phase in the Northern municipalities of Braga, Guimarães, and Matosinhos, partnering with the University of Minho and the Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto. Twelve master's thesis projects are currently underway, addressing priority challenges identified by municipal governments.
SDSN Portugal is also expanding its reach across Portuguese-speaking African countries through the SDSN PALOP initiative. Five African universities — from Mozambique, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, Angola, and Guinea-Bissau — have joined as SDSN members. Additionally, SDSN Portugal is progressing on the UNI-MUNICIPALITIES PALOP project, which will adapt the territorial approach to African contexts.
Strengthening Partnerships and Knowledge Exchange
Throughout the year, SDSN Portugal maintained active participation in the global SDSN community, presenting its work at the annual Networks Chairs Meeting in New York, USA, and the 2025 virtual Network Managers Workshop. The network also facilitated knowledge exchange with peers, hosting the SDSN Ireland manager for a study visit on SDG localization approaches.
Other notable activities included a July webinar, "What Comes After 2030?" which brought together over 100 participants to discuss the future of the 2030 Agenda. In November, SDSN Portugal organized a workshop with the Open University to promote SDGs in higher education, engaging 46 stakeholders in developing innovative educational prototypes.
Looking Ahead
As SDSN Portugal enters its third year, the network is expanding its capacity-building work through the Science4Policy program, developing a sustainability training framework for public servants across different levels of government. The network has also established a Portuguese chapter of the FABLE Consortium, which models pathways for sustainable food systems and land use aligned with the SDGs and the Paris Agreement.
To learn more, visit SDSN Portugal’s webpage.