Unlocking the transformative potential of multi-stakeholder partnerships for sustainable development: Assessing perceived effectiveness and contributions to systemic change

Time is running out to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), yet progress remains alarmingly off track. Multi-stakeholder partnerships (MSPs), i.e., voluntary, institutionalised collaborations between state and non-state actors, are widely seen as crucial means for driving SDG action. We revisit this promise consolidated in SDG 17 and investigate how and to what extent MSPs contribute effectively to the transformative change needed. We offer a novel conceptualisation of contributions to transformation, differentiating between norm, regulatory, and behavioural changes, all essential for sustainable, lasting transformation. Drawing on interviews, survey data, and secondary sources, we study stakeholder perceptions on the effectiveness and contributions of four transnational MSPs working to reduce deforestation. Our analysis identifies a common pathway: partnerships leverage norms to drive regulatory changes, which in turn shall induce shifts in behaviour as the end goal. However, success varies across partnerships, highlighting the critical role of governmental involvement, strong advocacy coalitions, strategic member recruitment, and showcasing sustainable solutions. To realise partnerships’ transformative potential, we propose meta-governance interventions fostering synergies and improving cross-partnership coordination, alongside long-term and adaptable financing. MSPs can lay the groundwork but often struggle to initiate widespread behavioural shifts required for systemic change. Political will remains a major challenge, necessitating stronger government commitment. This study advances debates on transformative pathways and MSP effectiveness in sustainable development governance, and provides practical recommendations for enhancing their role in achieving the SDGs.