Building on solid ground of the work realized in 2014-15 around the dialogues on implementation, 2016 corresponds to the strengthening of the Localizing SDG initiative. The partnership between UNDP, UN-Habitat and the Global taskforce is consolidated. A methodology and a toolbox have been developed and launched, and important efforts in mainstreaming the localizing approach at the global, national and local levels have been undertaken. A number of key events were successfully organized to raise awareness (High Level Panel Forum NYC, European development days Brussels, UCLG World Congress Bogota, Habitat III Conference Quito, etc.) and capacities of local and regional governments are strengthened. 2016 was also a decisive moment, as it brought together the largest representation of Mayors and Governors seen ever in time at the World Assembly of local and regional governments, who called for a stronger and effective localization of the SDGs (acknowledged as one of its priorities).

- Raise awareness about the localizing approach (still a lot of misconceptions): - Reinforce the political ownership of the localizing approach, at national level to set up enabling environments - Reach out and document extensively the local experiences

- Develop training modules (training of trainers) for awareness raising on localizing the SDGs, and specific focus on key topics (i.e. local development planning and alignment) - Support local and regional governments to contribute to the Voluntary National Review processes by providing their inputs and perspective; and support them developing their own reporting contributions - Populate and increase the reach out of the www.localizingthesdgs.org knowledge platform - Pursue advocacy processes, especially related to SDG11 and national enabling environments - Support and document local and national pilot initiatives on localizing the SDGs.

Local and regional governments and their associations Local and regional governments and their associations are the first beneficiaries of the localizing approach. Localizing does not mean "lowering" the agenda at the local level; it is, rather, an opportunity to articulate the global, national and local dimensions through territorial development systems that can provide integrated and sustainable responses to people's needs and aspirations. As such, LRGs have been mobilized through the Global Taskforce network and associated in all events, where they could raise their voice towards increased attention and recognition in the Agenda 2030 implementation and in the negotiation process of the New Urban Agenda. Additionally, tools have been developed and tailored for their use. The knowledge platform now gathers over 6,000 users from 174 countries and 1162 cities and they can find tools and instruments to support their work. Key local stakeholders have also been supported in pilot localizing projects to design mechanisms and instruments for the implementation and monitoring of the SDGs at local and regional levels.