Inside out/outside in – The balance between internal and external localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Swedish municipalities

Municipalities play a vital role in localising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by acting as democratic bodies, welfare providers, and enablers of sustainability efforts for other actors. This study explores the complexities of SDG localisation within Swedish municipalities, focusing on their internal and external efforts using governance and management theories. Through qualitative research methods, the study identifies both opportunities and challenges the SDGs present to traditional municipal roles and governance structures. It emphasizes the need for municipalities to adopt innovative leadership strategies that balance internal organisational changes with external collaboration for sustainable development. A key contribution of the study is its exploration of how municipal governing roles align with SDG engagement, providing municipalities with insights to assess and strengthen their sustainability efforts. Although the SDG framework improves understanding of both local and global contexts, the study finds that it faces limitations in facilitating external sustainability work. Even municipalities leading in SDG localisation struggle with external engagement. The study underscores the importance of continued research to refine and develop holistic approaches that enable effective SDG localisation. Future work should explore how municipalities can improve both internal and external SDG efforts and better support collaborative, integrated sustainability practices. • The study reveals how the SDGs can reshape municipal roles and governance structures. • The findings call for a re-evaluation of municipal leadership roles for sustainability. • Innovative leadership is needed to balance internal reforms with external collaboration. • Even leading municipalities in SDG localisation face challenges with external engagement. • Municipalities need support to meet high expectations in advancing sustainability.