From 28 to 30 April 2025, the Municipality of Mafra hosted a study tour as part of a twinning programme supporting the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the development of Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs). VLRs are in fact identified as reviews of SDGs implementations at the local or regional level. Despite these reviews do not carry any official recognition, they are especially beneficial to the entities engaging in them and to the SDG implementation at large, strenghtening commitment of local authorities, promoting dialogue and knowledge exchange.
The event brought together representatives from six municipalities currently developing their VLRs—Trebinje, Bijeljina, Kakanj, Siroki Brijeg, Poti, and Kashuri—with the support of FAO, UN-Habitat, and UNDP.
During the visit, participants explored local initiatives aligned with SDG implementation, including the BioValue project. The study tour of selected municipalities from BiH and Georgia, to the Municipality of Mafra, which has distinguished itself through its outstanding VLR work and strong commitment to SDG implementation.
During the event, participants had the opportunity to tour different attractions in Mafra Municipality, from the Mafra forest Tapada Nacional de Mafra, a royal hunting reserve now publicly accessible for nature walks, to the Tratolixo Company, collecting bioresidues and increasing organic waste recycling while reducing mixed waste quantities. Other visits include the Parque Desportivo Municipal, the Palace of Mafra and the Zambujal Fort.
The tour provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, showcasing Mafra’s strong commitment to the 2030 Agenda and its innovative approaches to linking biodiversity, food systems, and urban planning. The BioValue project was highlighted as a model for how municipalities can embed biodiversity into local development strategies while contributing meaningfully to global sustainability goals.
Read more here: Supporting SDG localization through the establishment of a twinning programme to facilitate the development of Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs).
Picture of the Parque Desportivo Municipal (by Mafra municipality)
