The document outlines Helsinki's implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing the city's strategy to achieve sustainable growth and inclusive education while promoting international cooperation. It details how Helsinki aligns its goals with at least fourteen SDGs, focusing on areas such as environmental education and equal opportunities in learning. Future plans include expanding evaluations of city operations related to the SDGs and increasing awareness among residents about these initiatives.

1. From Agenda to Action
The Implementation of the
UN Sustainable Development Goals in
Helsinki 2019
Jani Moliis
Head of International Affairs

2. VLR goals for Helsinki
To make the success of the City of Helsinki Strategy
visible in terms of the UN’s Sustainable Development
Goals.
To produce understandable and open data on
sustainable development in the City.
To promote dialogue and cooperation with the
international community.
To promote cities’ opportunities to interact with the UN.
To illustrate the success (and failure) of the City
Strategy understandably to the residents.

3. VLR implementation in Helsinki using
NYC model
Mapping 1–2
How do the City
Strategy and the
SDGs correspond to
each other?
What is already
being done?
What is already
under review?
The under-
standing of
strategic
development
in relation to
SDGs.
Review (VLR)
How have we done?
Implementing
sustainable
development goals
from the point of view
of City operations.
Reporting on
progress and
monitoring to
the UN.
Drawing
conclusions.
Impact
How could we
succeed better?
What should we
focus on going
forward?
How could we
highlight our
successes?

4. The Helsinki City Strategy was summarized
into three main themes:
Securing sustainable growth
Developing services
Responsible financial management
• Helsinki’s goals correspond well with
SDGs
• Fourteen goals with a link to at least one
SDG 1–16 could be identified within the
themes.
• Five goals with the broadest connection
to SDGs (highlighted).
The Most Functional City in the World
Helsinki City Strategy 2017–2021

5. The goals set by the UN on inclusive and equitable quality
education and lifelong learning opportunities for all are
strongly represented in the Helsinki City Strategy
Helsinki wants to offer equal education opportunities and be an excellent city to
study in, so that each resident of Helsinki has the opportunity to reach their full
potential in terms of learning.
The only measure not highlighted in Helsinki City Strategy and its actions is direct
aid to developing countries.
The actions specified in the review promote the goals of inclusive and equal,
quality education and lifelong learning on a broad scale, for example:
• Environmental education
• Positive discrimination
• Free-of-charge early childhood education
for children aged 5
• Free upper secondary education trial
• Development measures for immigrant education
EXAMPLE

6. What did we learn?
About the City Strategy
and the actions
Helsinki’s City Strategy is an ambitious and
comprehensive document corresponding
very well with the SDGs.
About the coverage
of the review
The review was focused on a few priority documents and
programs. Expanding the review to cover the entire
organization would provide a more in-depth understanding
of the links between City operations and SDGs.
About the set of indicators
Indicators for SDGs suitable for city-level
monitoring should be developed further.
About Sustainable Development Goals
and their implementation
Links between SDGs and City operations need more
analysis, including an economic assessment of allocation
of resources. This would help to identify the goals that
require more input from Helsinki.

7. Continuing the work – what’s next?
In city strategy development
• The implementation of the City Strategy to ensure that SDGs are realized as well as possible
in the City organization.
In local sensitization
• Communication of the results actively to residents and interest groups in order to raise
awareness of the significance of SDGs in the everyday operations of the City.
In international outreach
• Active, international lobbying for VLRs and for the importance of cities to be recognized in key
international forums and networks – especially the UN – to allow cities to be given the
opportunity to participate in creating the agenda and the targets – not just implementing them.
Commitment made to complete a second review in
2021 at the end of current council term

8. Links to Helsinki’s materials
Helsinki and the sustainable development goals web page:
https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/en/administration/strategy/sustainability/
VLR publication of Helsinki:
https://www.hel.fi/static/helsinki/julkaisut/SDG-VLR-Helsinki-2019-en.pdf
Mapping 1 and 2 publications of Helsinki:
https://www.hel.fi/static/helsinki/julkaisut/helsinki-sdg-reporting-part-1.pdf
https://www.hel.fi/static/helsinki/julkaisut/helsinki-sdg-reporting-part-2.pdf