Description of the initiative

The Ecoisla Gran Canaria 2030 Agenda is the strategy of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria to align its government program with the 2030 Agenda, integrating sustainability into island planning and management.

The alignment of the sustainable development strategy, here called Ecoisla Gran Canaria, with the 2030 Agenda is the natural process of localization to transform the island following international commitment.

To implement localization and alignment, an internal coordination system and a 2030 Agenda Technical Committee have been created, comprised of representatives from all areas of the island administration. Likewise, the Ecoisla Gran Canaria 2030 Technical Office has been set up with the support of the public company Gesplan.

Following the diagnosis carried out at the beginning of the localization process, the alignment of the 2024 and 2025 Budgets with the SDGs has been a central axis, measuring its impact on 84 targets directly and 63 secondarily.

The promotion of the 2030 Multi-stakeholder Forum and the 2030 Business Forum, together with training, communication, and awareness-raising actions, have been key instruments for promoting the participation of civil society, city councils, and the private sector in the sustainable development of the island.

Execution period

Start 2021 until 2030

Methodology

The methodology follows the standard localization and alignment process, beginning with the establishment of commitment and leadership (coordination system and cross-cutting Technical Committee), diagnosis, budgetary alignment (by expenditure items and by program), and the creation of the foundations for the development of the Ecoisla Gran Canaria 2030 Island Strategy. Furthermore, a basic system for monitoring and evaluating the localization process, a training program, and the implementation of the communication and awareness strategy are established. To facilitate the work, the Ecoisla Gran Canaria 2030 Technical Office was created with the support of the public company Gesplan.

Resources

Technical and human resources from the Cabildo have been used, as well as support from the public company GESPLAN, through which an Ecoisla 2030 Technical Office was created via a service commission. In economic terms, 320,000 euros per year (2023-2025) have been allocated for the Technical Office, as well as minor contracts in the first phase of the process worth 30,000 euros.

Involvement of actors and building alliances

The initiative has relied on a multi-stakeholder alliance involving the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, city councils, companies, organized civil society, and the University. To encourage participation, the 2030 Multi-stakeholder Forum has been created to facilitate the exchange of best practices, along with the 2030 Business Forum, focused on sensitizing the private sector to the SDGs, together with the club of private and public-private initiatives aligned with the Ecoisla Gran Canaria 2030 agenda.

Furthermore, the process has been structured internally through the 2030 Agenda Technical Committee and the Ecoisla Gran Canaria 2030 Technical Office, with the support of GESPLAN, all directed by the internal coordination system established by the island government to ensure the effective coordination and execution of strategic actions.

Coordination

Internal coordination: This has been structured through the coordination system and the 2030 Agenda Technical Committee, with representatives from different areas of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, ensuring a cross-cutting approach.

External coordination: The 2030 Multi-stakeholder Forum and the 2030 Business Forum have been promoted, facilitating the participation of city councils, companies, and civil society, with the support of the Ecoisla Gran Canaria 2030 Technical Office.

INNOVATION: What are the most innovative aspects of the initiative?

The Ecoisla Gran Canaria 2030 Agenda innovates by aligning expenditure items and programs of the 2024 and 2025 Budgets with the SDGs, measuring their impact on specific targets through the budget application. Additionally, it introduces a participatory governance model with the 2030 Agenda Technical Committee, the Ecoisla 2030 Technical Office, and specific forums for the public-private sector, fostering collaboration and data-based strategic planning, connected to the implementation process of Management by Objectives to allow the introduction of the Ecoisla 2030 Strategy into Strategic Planning.

Replicability, scalability, and transferability: What elements should be considered for the replicability of the initiative in another Local Entity?

To replicate the project successfully, it is essential to have political will, clear leadership, and the cross-cutting structure of the 2030 Agenda Technical Committee. Furthermore, a Technical Office is required to facilitate implementation, along with a flexible system that allows actions to be adapted to the particularities of each territory.

Obstacles: What have been the main obstacles encountered in the different phases of the project?

The main obstacles have been the lack of technical and economic means to expand the coordination and implementation structure, as well as the need for greater involvement of technical and management staff in the execution of the project. Overcoming these challenges requires strengthening available resources and encouraging greater internal participation.

Triple impact: To what extent has the triple impact been considered in the design and execution of the initiative?

The triple impact is integrated into the design and execution of the Ecoisla Gran Canaria 2030 Agenda, addressing environmental, social, and economic sustainability in a balanced way. The strategy promotes actions aligned with the SDGs, ensuring responsible resource management, sustainable economic development, and social cohesion in the island territory.

Is it sustainable from an environmental, economic, and social point of view?

Yes, the Ecoisla Gran Canaria 2030 Agenda is sustainable in all three areas, as it promotes responsible environmental management, drives economic development aligned with the SDGs, and strengthens social cohesion through the participation of key actors in island planning.

Results, measurement, and impact

The project has succeeded in aligning the 2024 and 2025 Budgets with the SDGs, measuring its impact on 84 targets directly and 63 secondarily. A monitoring system with local indicators has been created to evaluate its impact on sustainability, governance, and development. Currently, the second year of work of the Ecoisla 2030 Technical Office is being completed, and the program for the third year is being prepared.

Links of interest:

https://ecoisla2030.org/ods/