One more step towards sustainability: Environmental Ideas and the Local Agenda 2030 Network

The Local Network 2030, a Common Work Space

On November 18, the Cuenca town of Belmonte hosted the II Conference of the Local Network of Agenda 2030, organized by the Ministry of Sustainable Development of Castilla-La Mancha. This event brought together authorities, technical team and local representatives to exchange ideas and good practices in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the municipal level.

During the conference, the concrete actions necessary to achieve sustainable development at the local level were highlighted, emphasizing the importance of management based on local diagnoses and a firm commitment to the SDGs. Mercedes Gómez, Councillor for Sustainable Development, highlighted the transformative role of the 2030 Agenda, ranging from the sustainable economy to the energy transition, and highlighted the creation of a Call for Grants in 2024, with a budget of 125,000 euros, to support local authorities in this framework.

After the inauguration, there was the participation of the researcher and expert in the field, Jorge López Conde, as keynote speaker at the event, who spoke about the power of the 2030 Agenda and its link with European policies, presenting case studies and future examples, highlighting the need for a common European legislative framework: “from European policies to local realities”.

Then there was the holding of a round table, moderated by Esther Haro, general director of Circular Economy and Agenda 2030, where competent authorities and technicians from the Badajoz Provincial Council, the Campo de Montiel region, and the ADI Záncara Local Action Group participated, where they presented their work and shared experiences for the development of sustainable development policies and Agenda 2030.

In this edition, Environmental Ideas participated as part of the project of the Network of Technical Advisors of the province of Albacete, promoted by the Provincial Council and the Provincial Sustainability Observatory of Albacete (OPSA).

In this context, the Ministry created for the first time in 2024, a call for lines of aid linked to the Local Network to support this common framework of working with local entities in the region. With funding of 125,000 euros, it has had a total of 63 requests, the vast majority of which come from the province of Albacete, once again demonstrating our involvement and commitment at the local level.

Leading the push for Local Action Plans in Albacete

In parallel, the Support Network for municipalities in Albacete for the Local Action Plans of Agenda 2030, managed by Environmental Ideas and A21 SoctenIble, you have consolidated unprecedented success. Since its creation in June, this initiative has stimulated the development of new plans, facilitated the processing of grants and promoted citizen participation in localities with less than 20,000 inhabitants.

On December 5, the Ministry of Sustainable Development of the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha published the concessions of the call for Grants for actions to promote and develop the Sustainable Development Goals in municipalities that adhere to the Local Network 2030.

The data highlight the leadership of the province of Albacete in this area:

• 100% of the aid granted by the Ministry in 2024 they correspond to localities of Albacete.
• Of the 63 applications submitted in Castilla-La Mancha, the 30% were granted to the province, with a remarkable 43% success rate in Albacete.

El Technical equipment of Environmental Ideas corresponding to the Network Prepared 95% of the approved reports in Albacete, positioning the province as a reference in the implementation of the Local 2030 Agenda.

From the Launch of the Network in June, its impact has been notable: it has boosted the creation of new Plans, facilitated the processing of grants and promoted citizen participation. Before the start of the project, 74% of the municipalities in Albacete had a Local Action Plan. Now, thanks to the work of the technical team, it has been possible to get the rest of the localities to join this strategic effort.

Commitment to sustainable development

The II Conference of the Local Network of Agenda 2030 and the work of Environmental Ideas with the Albacete Provincial Council reflect how strategic planning, technical support and joint action can transform local realities.

Environmental Ideas from your Leit Motiv of commitment to sustainable development, celebrates this collective achievement, which demonstrates how strategic planning and joint action can transform local realities and lay solid foundations for a more equitable and sustainable future.