To understand intersectoral collaboration for sustainable development it is vital to first understand the political framework in which these collaborations may occur, taking into account that some systems are more suitable than others. In particular, the "relational" model of the welfare state must be considered to understand why and how collaboration for sustainable development occurs. These external circumstances have not been studied sufficiently in the literature, which has generally focused on internal aspects such as the alignment of organizations and the mechanisms of the relationships, or on elements of global governance, leaving to one side the characteristic structures of national governance.