Assessing local progress toward sustainable development goals in a context of violence: Perspectives from Ecuador

The universal call to focus strategies on eliminating poverty, protecting the environment, and promoting prosperity through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) faces challenges in local implementation, particularly in Latin America, where violence remains a persistent issue. In this context, this study explores the gap between SDG targets and the local realities in Ecuador, a country experiencing a rise in violence. During the year 2024, we collected citizens’ knowledge through an online survey distributed via social media and email to (i) map public awareness of the 169 SDG targets, (ii) identify citizen-driven targets tailored to local realities and (iii) highlight SDGs that should include targets addressing violence. Our findings revealed a limited understanding of targets related to well-being (SDG 3), education (SDG 4), urban sustainability (SDG 11), peace and justice (SDG 16), and global partnerships (SDG 17). Moreover, citizens are more familiar with SDG targets regarding no poverty (SDG 1), zero hunger (SDG 2), clean energy (SDG 7), innovation (SDG 9), and climate action (SDG 13). Participants also proposed local targets such as agroecology inspired by ancestral practices like “Sumak Kawsay” (good living), improving education by artificial intelligence, expanding collective initiatives like “minga” (community clean-up efforts), including fire awareness programs and preventing crime around high schools. Finally, citizens stressed that SDGs on poverty, education, gender equality, and climate must address violence. This pioneering study helps those working on the SDGs to understand them not just as a one-size-fits-all framework but as a tool for adapting global strategies to local conditions.