Implementations and Challenges of Sustainable Development Goals in Developing Nations: In the Case of South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the implementations and challenges of SDGs in South Gondar. To attain this purpose, survey questionnaires were administered on a sample of 176 employees. While to the qualitative analysis interview and document observations were used. The study employed mixed methods research approach of parallel concurrent research design. For quantitative data analysis, one sample t-test, Pearson correlation and hierarchical linear regression were used. To the qualitative data, thematic analysis was employed. The study found that the SDG implementation in the study region was "moderate", with average differences between institutions. The major challenges facing the implementation of SDGs are unrealistic goal setting, lack of political commitment, lack of participation, lack of clear policy guide, lack of synergy, lack of capability and over emphasis on one pillar of development. This indicated that both key identified institutional challenges and goal setting characteristics determine the implementation of the SDGs in the study area. Based on this, the study recommends that the study area should set policy goals that are implementable. There should be also participation of the target beneficiaries in the SDGs implementation.