Mastering urban challenges together

Context

Against the backdrop of population growth, urbanisation and climate change, municipalities are becoming increasingly important in the push to ensure inclusive, resilient and environmentally friendly development. They drive economic progress and social innovation and are central to shaping the future.

Nevertheless, many cities and municipalities are facing challenges that they cannot overcome alone. While innovative solutions for sustainable cities exist, there is often a lack of systematic access to these good practices and the actors involved. These include experts and managers from municipal administrations, the private sector and civil society – for example from planning offices or interest groups.

Objective

Through exchange and peer learning, municipal experts develop projects for sustainable municipalities in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

Approach

The project responds to the individual requirements and needs of municipalities by promoting an innovative approach to urban development. Through learning and exchange formats, as well as peer learning, it mobilises both German and international expertise in order to develop local solutions to urban challenges. These solutions include, for example, effective flood management during heavy rainfall, environmentally friendly waste management and climate change adaptation measures, such as the development of heat action plans for cities.

The project was launched in 2013 as a joint venture between Engagement Global’s Service Agency Communities in One World (SKEW) and the Association of German Cities (DST). It works with municipal practitioners around the world, as well as their associations and networks. It focuses in particular on Sub-Saharan Africa, the Maghreb region and the Middle East as well as South-East Europe and the Caucasus. The project is also active in Latin America and Asia.

Last update: April 2024