Alignment of Agenda 2030 to Celaya, Guanajuato Municipal Planning through its Municipal Development Program - United Nations Partnerships for SDGs platform

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Alignment of Agenda 2030 to Celaya, Guanajuato Municipal Planning through its Municipal Development Program

Description of Good Practice
SDGs & Targets
Resources mobilized

Introduction

The Municipal Development Program of Celaya 2018-2040 is the main instrument that guides the local actions and public policies at a municipal level. The objective and achievement were to have a participatory process along the development of the program. Not involve only the compilation of information from the stakeholders but instead, it was a collaborative construction of objectives and strategies with the social, academic, private and public sectors through active participation and direct dialogue. This was the first time the Municipal Development Program involves social participation, updating process and was sought and encouraged throughout the plan and for its implementation.

Objective of the practice

One of the main aims of the development of the Municipality Program of Celaya was to align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Since the analysis, it was identified the relation between the objectives of the SDGs with the requirements of the local law in order to establish a direct connection of the strategies with SDGs in the next stage. Therefore, each strategy in the program establishes which sustainable goal and targets it backs up in order to move toward the full realization of the ambitions and principles espoused in the 2030 Agenda. Each strategy also establishes to which human right it supports. In consequence, the tool for monitoring and evaluation of the program establishes the indicators to measure the progress in the actions or public policies implemented. Most of these indicators were taken from the ones defined in the New Urban Agenda and complemented with the ones already being used by the local government.
The program establishes a governance arrangement in order to enhance the coordination and efficiency of the existing participatory mechanisms with the aim to guarantee the inclusion of the results in the different commissions and committee of the public administration in charge of the development of actions and policies. Therefore, the program also specifies the route for the interinstitutional coordination which is fundamental in order for the governance mechanism to work properly and for the continuous dialogue between the exercises of planning and implementation of the program. The route includes the mechanism for the constant flow of information for public policies and the integration of actions of the government based on evidence.
The program proposes the alignment of topics and objectives of commissions between the ones in charge of the participatory processes of the public administration and the ones in charge of the policies development, as well as the reduction of commissions and committees to achieve efficiency and optimize economic resources. The program also establishes the creation of a technical committee in charge of the monitoring and evaluation of the alignment of the public policies implemented with the objectives and targets of the program that arose from the SDGs.

Key stakeholders and partnerships

Municipality of Celaya and IMIPE. For the public sector was developed roundtables dialogues, for the social sector were developed interactive activities in public spaces in urban and rural areas, for the academic sector were also developed interactive activities at universities and for the private sector was established to direct communication through meetings. In addition, 3 events open to all public were organized to present the progress of the program and get feedback. These activities were done all along the program development. The ultimate beneficiary is the citizens of the municipality of Celaya.

Implementation of the Project/Activity

The Municipality Development Program converts the municipality of Celaya, Guanajuato in one of the first municipalities of the Mexican Republic committed to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in an integrated manner, the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the targets to make municipalities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
The Municipality of Celaya has the Municipal Institute of Planning and Statistics (IMIPE by its initials in Spanish) and the Municipal Development Planning Council (COPLADEM by its initials in Spanish) as the instances of coordination of the exercise of democratic planning and they are also the municipal links for development within the National Planning System. COPLADEM is a governance mechanism that allows the municipality to incorporate the voices of the different stakeholders in a transparent and plural manner. This mechanism ensures that the program is implementable and in aligned with the Estate Planning System (SIMUPLAN by its initials in Spanish). These institutions were crucial to outreach different population sectors in the participation process that was fundamental for its acceptance and later approval for the program implementation.
One of the most important steps for the implementation of the program was taken on December 2018 when the local government council approved the Municipal Development Program making officially and legally their principal planning instrument to develop actions and policies in the municipality. This action was reinforced by the approval of the state of Guanajuato in January 2019, who validated the program and corroborates that its content is aligned with the state laws and program. Therefore, the action taken from on by the public administration has to be under the program guidelines and strategies to achieve the goals and targets established in the program besides the enforcement of the program itself.

Results/Outputs/Impacts

The main output of the program was to engage all the possible people in order to incorporate different perspectives with the aim of not leaving anyone behind. With this action, it was not only integrating the different interest and requirements of the people but it was also integrating the Celaya community in the planning of their municipality. It was well received the participatory initiative of engaging the public in the development, implementation, and enforcement of the program.
However, one of the main obstacles was the lack of credibility in the process at the beginning since the community was not familiar with participatory processes or program development. So it was hard for them to believe that for the first time they were reached to participate and collaborate in something has been done before by a public institution without consultation and behind doors. It was a situation that was overcome by the continuity of the participatory process that gave importance to show the results and how they were integrated into the program in order to demonstrate that the program was being developed through the different participation activities.
The quantitative achievement was that 220 interviews were done, 11 workshops were developed with a total of 380 participants and 6 activities in public spaces were developed with approximately 240 participants. The contribution of the participants served to provide feedback to the different stages of the development program that later helped to create the strategies.
The final outcome is a program integrated by 5 strategies with 48 actions aligned with the 17 SDGs, the 169 targets, the 22 human rights and with 88 indicators to measure progress.

Enabling factors and constraints

The coincidence in time between the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Municipality Development Program updating allowed to align them and look for the compliance of the international commitments in the smallest scale which correspond to the city or municipalities.
Therefore, the need for the updating of the Municipality Development Program of Celaya which scope was ahead of the 2030 Agenda helped to use it as a starting point and prioritize the goals and targets on it that are international commitments that have to be reached in 11 years.
The enabling factor to develop the program was the synergy of the team integrated by the Municipal Institution of Planning of Celaya and the private consulting office Urbanistica where the local experience of the public office joined with international and national experience of the private office that allowed to come up with innovative procedures and mechanism that adapt to the local context. Also, the commitment and collaboration between member let developed the program in time and form which was crucial for its implementation since Mexico was going through a local, state and national government change that could stop its completion. The program was developed and approved by different administrations and was possible because of the endorsement and support gained of the community in the participatory process.
It's important to mention a technological tool used in the process of the program development of interactive presentation software. The tool allowed the audience to participate and collaborate effectively in intensive workshops, in addition, to help participants assimilate a lot of information and data. This approach increased the engagement with interactivity by providing and visualizing the results of the activity immediately.

Sustainability and replicability

The program envisions a sustainable development by harmonizing the three core elements of economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection. The general objective of the program is to guarantee the citizens to enjoy their human rights in equal conditions, good quality of life and social welfare. Therefore, it is needed to consolidate and diversify the economy where it prevails to a unique model of collaboration between companies, government, and society that achieves universal access to employment with sufficient income. Also, the aim is to involve the community in the processes of democratic planning and municipal public administration in order to be efficient and connected to a solid social base. This translates into a balanced territory, in the conservation and sustainable use of its resources and in a healthy environment, the social aspect, the objective is to achieve equality in access to opportunities based on identity, cooperation, cohesion and community trust byCoordination for attention to vulnerable populations in urban and rural areas. Implementation of public policies for access to housing and improvement of housing conditions.Provision of health services for the entire population.Creation of community projects for adequate nutrition. Strengthening the educational level. Creation of support and integration spaces for vulnerable groups. Strengthening mechanisms and instruments to ensure gender equity, prevention and combating violence against women, girls, and young people. The increase of community capacities for welfare over security.Preservation and diffusion of tangible and intangible local heritage. Promoting cultural and sports skills. Consolidation and increase of quality public spaces in urban areas.
In the economic aspect, the objective is to ensure a sound, diversified, inclusive and equitable economy that contributes to poverty and diminishes the inequalities through Strengthening the labor market. The attraction of large national and foreign companies.Strengthening of products abroad.Consolidation of value chains and commercial alliances.Strengthening and transformation of the tourism sector.Consolidation and strengthening programs for rural development. Linking research and technological development centers with the public and private sectors.
In the environmental and resilience aspect the objective is to preserve natural systems and maintain ecological processes essential for human well-being, without diminishing the potential to meet the needs of future generations through Sustainable water management. Efficient management of solid waste.Protection and restoration of ecosystems.Preparation of a Strategic Mobility Plan.Mitigation of the effects of climate change.Strengthening of the Civil Protection system.Incorporation of territorial strategies for adequate urban development.
In the governance and legislation aspect, the objective is to promote, respect and guarantee human rights in equal conditions for everyone supported bySensitization, empowerment, and prevention of gender violence. Education and dissemination in human rights.Strengthening of the organs responsible for public safety and administration of justice and combat crime.Implementation of public management based on evidence.Review and regulation updating.Regularization of land tenure.Diversification of municipal income.Installation of an accessible digital government platform.The inclusion of citizen participation in public security policies.Participatory budgeting. Strengthening the mechanisms for democratic planning for social cohesion.

Conclusions

The main impact of the Municipal Development Program of Celaya 2018-2040 is to the alignment with the international goals and targets identified in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in order to prioritize their actions and policies towards the problems that are currently affecting our world and its population.
Therefore, the first lesson learned by the Municipality was the acknowledgment of the importance of the international commitments and the importance to take action in the municipal planning whichever the territory scale. In the case of Celaya, it was also taken into advantage the revision and updating of the program required by law to apply this lesson.
The municipality is the smallest territory scale to implement the 2030 Agenda, but it is also the most operational and therefore fundamental. It was very meaningful and crucial to transfer the content and objectives of the Agenda to the public, private, social and academic sectors through the participatory process which helped to support the 2030 Agenda and the Municipal Development Program that uses the agenda as its main guide.
In the planning process it is very difficult to define the priorities and guidelines that will be included in a program but in the case of Celaya, the process was simplified by using the 2030 Agenda where it was already established and accepted by several countries the main goals that have to be complied. So another lesson learned was the 2030 Agenda is a planning instrument that also helps to negotiate and to influence different actors in order to incorporate and support actions, projects, plans or programs that help to reach the commitments of the agenda.
On the other hand, the municipality of Celaya had a mechanism of participation that was functional but not sufficiently efficient, but it was important and crucial for the program development since the participation process relied on it in order to integrate the different voices of the community. In the process, it was also possible to identify the flaws in the mechanism which were enhanced during the process and incorporated in the program in order to make the participation and the existing mechanism imperative in the municipal actions and policies from the implementation to the enforcement.
The Municipal Development Program of Celaya 2018-2040 is already a good practice reference for other municipalities in the state of Guanajuato as in other parts of Mexico, since other municipalities have approached the municipality of Celaya to get to know the methodology implemented to incorporate the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the municipal planning and in concordance with the local, state and national laws which are required.

Other sources of information

http://www.imipecelaya.org.mx/NOTICIAS/actualizacion_plan_2018_2043.html

http://enlace.celaya.gob.mx/sala-de-prensa/comunicados/2019/febrero19/sesion-ayuntamiento-plan-municipal-de-desarrollo/

https://www.elsoldelbajio.com.mx/local/aprueban-plan-municipal-de-desarrollo-2040-documento-desarrollo-general-municipio-ediles-comision-desarrollo-3097959.html

http://enlace.celaya.gob.mx/sala-de-prensa/comunicados/2018/agosto-2018/taller-del-pmd-celaya-2040/

http://enlace.celaya.gob.mx/sala-de-prensa/comunicados/2018/marzo/celaya-impacta-con-participacion-en-plan-2040/

https://kreactiva.sharepoint.com/:v:/s/PMD-Celaya/EZpj_ifqRspJoyRqvSpVLgcBozuJR08G8yTx8nAhP9sZaQ?e=WL3DRF

Goal 1

1.4 - By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance

1.5 - By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters

1.a - Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources, including through enhanced development cooperation, in order to provide adequate and predictable means for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, to implement programmes and policies to end poverty in all its dimensions

Goal 2

2.4 - By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality

2.c - Adopt measures to ensure the proper functioning of food commodity markets and their derivatives and facilitate timely access to market information, including on food reserves, in order to help limit extreme food price volatility

Goal 3

3.6 - By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents

3.7 - By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes

Goal 4

4.1 - By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes

4.5 - By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations

4.a - Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all

Goal 5

5.4 - Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate

5.5 - Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life

5.a - Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with national laws

5.c - Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels

Goal 6

6.a - By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies

6.b - Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management

Goal 7

7.1 - By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services

Goal 8

8.2 - Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors

8.3 - Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services

8.9 - By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products

Goal 9

9.1 - Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all

Goal 10

10.2 - By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status

10.3 - Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard

Goal 11

11.1 - By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums

11.2 - By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons

11.3 - By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries

11.4 - Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage

11.5 - By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations

11.6 - By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management

11.7 - By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities

11.a - Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning

11.b - By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels

Goal 12

12.2 - By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources

12.5 - By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse

12.7 - Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities

Goal 13

13.3 - Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

Goal 15

15.9 - By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts

Goal 16

16.3 - Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all

16.10 - Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements

16.b - Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development

Goal 17

17.14 - Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development

17.15 - Respect each country’s policy space and leadership to establish and implement policies for poverty eradication and sustainable development

Multi-stakeholder partnerships

17.17 - Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships

Data, monitoring and accountability

Other, please specify

Resources of the municipality

Basic information

Start: 01 June, 2018

Completion: 30 November, 2018

Ongoing? no

Region

Latin America and the Caribbean

Countries

Mexico

Geographical Coverage

Celaya Municipality, Gto, Mexico Geographical coordinates: 20° 31′ 44″ N, 100° 48′ 54″ W

Entity

Municipality of Celaya/Celaya Municipal Institute of Research, Planning and statistics (IMIPE by its initials in Spanish).
Type: Regional or Local Government

Contact information

SALVADOR HERRERA MONTES, Urb, salvador@urbanistica.mx; gecoco.61gmail.com, +52 1 55 1320 8240

Photos

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