SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AS A DETERMINANT OF POLAND'S SOCIAL POLICY
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AS A DETERMINANT OF POLAND'S SOCIAL POLICY

Summary/Abstract: The article examines the significance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as normative frameworks shaping contemporary social policy in Poland. It assumes that the SDGs, adopted under the 2030 Agenda, integrate social, economic, and environmental perspectives, thereby establishing a new model of public planning and development governance. The study outlines the theoretical foundations of sustainable development and situates them within both classical and contemporary social policy concepts, emphasizing the shift from short-term interventions to long-term social investments. It discusses the key areas in which the SDGs exert the greatest influence on Polish social policy: poverty and inequality reduction (SDG 1 and 10), public health (SDG 3), education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5), labour market policies (SDG 8), housing policy and local development (SDG 11), senior policy, and environmental issues (SDG 12-15). The article argues that the SDGs play an integrating role across sectoral policies and reinforce an investment-oriented approach, highlighting the interdependence between social and economic development. A central part of the analysis is the assessment of governance mechanisms and cross-sectoral collaboration involving public administration, the business sector, civil society organisations, and academia. The authors point to the growing importance of collaborative governance as a tool for enhancing the effectiveness of SDG implementation. The conclusion identifies the main challenges to further implementation of the goals in Poland, including regional inequalities, energy transition, demographic change, and limited institutional coordination. The article stresses that the successful realisation of the SDGs requires coherent public strategies, the expansion of social services, and long-term development planning.

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