Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships for Sustainable Development: Advancing Women’s Empowerment in Rural Spain

Abstract

The seventeenth goal of the United Nations Sustainable Development framework, “Partnerships for the Goals,” underscores the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainable progress. This study examines how multi-stakeholder partnerships, as envisioned in SDG 17, contribute to gender equality and women’s empowerment (SDG 5) in rural Spain. The research focuses on Pastrana, a small town in the province of Guadalajara, central Spain. The region is characterized by numerous small municipalities, most with fewer than 1,000 residents, according to the National Institute of Statistics. Between February and March 2024, fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants representing diverse sectors and interests. To explore interaction patterns and potential for cooperation, the study applied stakeholder registries, power–interest diagrams, and stakeholder mapping techniques. The findings reveal that partnerships involving diverse actors can strengthen women’s participation and leadership in rural contexts. Such gender-focused collaborations foster community cohesion, stimulate local development, and contribute to the revitalization of rural life.

Keywords: Multi-stakeholder partnerships; Women’s empowerment; Rural development; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Local governance