Outputs

Explore a collection of reports and publications from the SDG Interactions project. Find out more about the findings of the individual research projects and insights overarching all projects in the programme. These resources are coordinated and developed by the Knowledge Brokering and Synthesis team.

Research and Reviews

Dive into the core of our work with outputs summarising preliminary research findings showcasing the progress, insights, and implications of the ongoing projects.

Preliminary research findings per project

Two-pagers providing a detailed look at the progress and key discoveries from the ongoing research projects, offering a deeper understanding of emerging insights.

Governing Global Goals: Uniting knowledge and perspectives on the SDGs for inclusive development​

For the Knowledge Brokering and Synthesis project with the University of Amsterdam

Beyond cherry-picking: aligning development actors and efforts for inclusive and effective governance of trade-offs and synergies between SDGs in East Africa

For the Governing SDG interactions in East-Africa project with Wageningen University & Research

Improving food and nutrition security by enhancing women’s empowerment

For the Improving food and nutrition security by enhancing women’s empowerment project with the University of Groningen

From climate change to conflict: Mitigation through insurance?

For the From climate change to conflict project with Utrecht University

One-pagers on overarching themes

One-pagers that summarise insights from the thematic research projects on three overarching themes: SDG interactions, policy coherence and inclusive development.

Where are inclusive development efforts taking place, and which stakeholders are involved or excluded in policy-making and implementation processes?

For the Knowledge Brokering and Synthesis project with the University of Amsterdam

What SDG interactions have been identified, and what synergies and/or trade offs can be identified?

For the Knowledge Brokering and Synthesis project with the University of Amsterdam

What alignment mechanisms are in place domestically or internationally to strive towards policy coherence?

For the Knowledge Brokering and Synthesis project with the University of Amsterdam

Policy briefs

Based on the paper

Wiegant D, Dewulf A and Van Zeben J (2024). Alignment mechanisms to effectively govern the sustainable development goals. World Development, Vol 182. DOI: 10.1016

For the International Development Donor Community: Towards a Comprehensive Overview of Alignment Mechanisms for Effective Governance of the Sustainable Development Goals

For the Governing SDG interactions in East-Africa project with Wageningen University & Research

For policymakers in Kenya: The case for stronger alignment of actors and efforts for effective SDG governance in Kenya

For the Governing SDG interactions in East-Africa project with Wageningen University & Research

For policymakers in Uganda: How can alignment mechanisms be strengthened to enhance the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? A case of the WEFH nexus in Uganda

For the Governing SDG interactions in East-Africa project with Wageningen University & Research

For policymakers in Ethiopia: Why Are Alignment Mechanisms Key for SDG Success? Lessons from Ethiopia’s Landscape and Forest Restoration Initiatives

For the Governing SDG interactions in East-Africa project with Wageningen University & Research

Background Information

This section provides foundational resources that delve into the context, methodology, and academic contributions behind the research projects work.

Literature reviews

Comprehensive overviews of existing research, mapping the knowledge landscape and gaps regarding interactions between SDGs.

Literature Review of Relevant Frameworks

The Broker produced a literature review to provide insights into the current approaches to studying SDG interactions. The review discusses tools and approaches to systematically explore and better understand how synergies between SDGs can be realised.

Identifying empirically investigated SDG interactions

The Broker produced a literature review to provide insights into the current state of knowledge on interactions between the SDGs of focus of the three research projects. The review discusses the synergies and trade-offs among the SDGs of interest, empirically identified in existing academic literature.

Factsheets

Quick-reference documents highlighting essential methods, concepts, and geographical focus central to the projects.

Governing Global Goals: Uniting knowledge and perspectives on the SDGs for inclusive development​

For the Knowledge Brokering and Synthesis project with the University of Amsterdam

Beyond cherry-picking: aligning development actors and efforts for inclusive and effective governance of trade-offs and synergies between SDGs in East Africa

For the Governing SDG interactions in East-Africa project with Wageningen University & Research

Improving food and nutrition security by enhancing women’s empowerment

For the Improving food and nutrition security by enhancing women’s empowerment project with the Universtiy of Groningen

From climate change to conflict: Mitigation through insurance?

For the From climate change to conflict project with Utrecht University

MSc theses

Theses by Master students from the University of Amsterdam delving into the thematics of each of the three thematic research projects.

Enhancing Policy Coherence: The Role of Climate-Smart Agriculture in Aligning Dutch-Ugandan Efforts Towards SDGs 6, 2 and 8 Amidst Climate Change

Written by Liselore Hoeksma under the Knowledge Brokering and Synthesis project with the University of Amsterdam

Aligning Dutch International Development Policy with the SDGs: Exploring Dairy Food Systems to Achieve Food Security in Kenya

Written by Paula Vits Zambrana under the Knowledge Brokering and Synthesis project with the University of Amsterdam

Food vs. Nature? Bridging the Gap between SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 15: Life on Land in Kenya

Written by Mareike van Lagen under the Knowledge Brokering and Synthesis project with the University of Amsterdam

Navigating Policy (in-)Coherence: Dutch – Ethiopian Policy Alignment and the Quest for Sustainable Development

Written by Madeleine Lauer under the Knowledge Brokering and Synthesis project with the University of Amsterdam

Youth Advocacy in Climate Action in Naivasha, Kenya

Written by Charlotte Tijburg under the Knowledge Brokering and Synthesis project with the University of Amsterdam

The Ones Left Behind: Giving Them the Wings to Fly

Written by Julia van Stenis under the Knowledge Brokering and Synthesis project with the University of Amsterdam

Methodology & Toolkits

Comprehensive overviews of existing research, mapping the knowledge landscapeand gaps regarding interactions between SDGs.

Aligning Minds: Workshop guide for meaningful stakeholder engagement

The Broker produced a Workshop Guide to provide guidance into conducting stakeholder engagement workshops that are meaningful and effective. The guide is made with research engagement and research uptake for policy influence in mind and provides a comprehensive overview of different tools and resources research teams can use at different  insights into the current approaches to studying SDG interactions. The review discusses tools and approaches to systematically explore and better understand how synergies between SDGs can be realised.

Policy Cycle Assessment Toolkit

This Policy Cycle tool is designed to support researchers with connecting their research to the policy cycle. The assumption is that if your research aligns with the policy cycle, it will be more relevant for policymakers and more impactful in driving evidence-informed policy development.

The Role of Local Knowledge Ecosystems for Collective Action

This document outlines the importance of local knowledge ecosystems for addressing complex societal challenges through collaborative action. It defines these ecosystems as networks of diverse stakeholders who create, share, and apply knowledge for sustainable solutions. The document also discusses barriers to stakeholder engagement and strategies for facilitating collective action, such as co-creation of knowledge and building Social Impact Networks.

Stories and Events

Dive into the core of our work with outputs summarising preliminary research findings showcasing the progress, insights, and implications of the ongoing projects.

Event reports

Reports summarising the discussions and elaborate more insights that were generated during our events.

Co-learning event 2024: Advancing SDG interactions and policy interventions

Event report of the co-learning event hosted in 2024 by the Knowledge Brokering and Synthesis team, bringing the research teams and policy makers together to discuss the preliminary findings.

Stakeholder Workshop Report: Restoring Land, Restoring Livelihoods - Governing Synergies and Trade-Offs in Ethiopia’s Lake Tana Sub-Basin (May 2025)

Event report of the stakeholder workshop in May 2025 hosted by The Broker with the Water Land Resource Centre of Ethiopia and Wageningen University and Research (WUR).

Event Recap Video: Restoring Land, Restoring Livelihoods: Governing Synergies and Trade-Offs in Ethiopia’s Lake Tana Sub-Basin (May 2025)

Video report of the stakeholder workshop hosted in May 2025 in Ethiopia with the WUR research team.

Video interviews

Interviews providing insights on the project’s key themes, challenges, and opportunities.

An interview with Dr. Nicky Pouw on role of the Knowledge Brokering Team within the SDG Interaction Programme.

Dr. Pouw is the Principle investigator for the Knowledge Brokering and Synthesis Project.

An interview with Dr. Dzodzi Tsikata, outlining the challenges and opportunities of the SDG framework.

Dr. Tsikata is part of the Knowledge Brokering and Synthesis Project team.

Video Interview Series - Restoring Land, Restoring Livelihoods: Governing Synergies and Trade-Offs in Ethiopia’s Lake Tana Sub-Basin

Short video interviews with the three researchers within the WUR team’s research project on land governance in Ethiopia.

Aytenew Tatek

Dereje Yimam

Dr. Desalegn Amlaku

Stakeholder Workshop Booklet

Sample booklet from a Stakeholder Workshop piloting the Aligning Minds Methodology for stakeholder engagement.

Restoring Land, Restoring Livelihoods: Governing Synergies and Trade-Offs in Ethiopia’s Lake Tana Sub-Basin (May 2025)