Solving municipal challenges together

Context

Population growth, urbanisation and climate change pose challenges to societies worldwide. In most cases, local authorities feel the effects most keenly. Due to the grassroots role they play in overcoming many crises, local authorities are particularly important in ensuring inclusive, resilient and environmentally friendly municipal and urban development. Many cities, districts and municipalities are unable to tackle these major challenges alone. Although sustainable solutions have been developed in many countries, experts and managers from municipalities, the private sector and civil society often lack systematic access to successful approaches and actors from other municipalities.

Objective

Municipal experts from Germany and its partner countries jointly develop reforms for sustainable cities, municipalities and districts that are in line with the UN’s 2030 Agenda.

Approach

Experts from Germany and around the world are working together in international learning and exchange formats to develop innovative solutions to municipal challenges. The Connective Cities network considers the respective needs of the municipalities by allowing them to contribute their own case studies. A wide variety of topics can thus be addressed, including urban flood management, environmental municipal waste management and measures to digitalise administration.

The project is being implemented in cooperation with the Service Agency Communities in One World (SKEW), Association of German Cities (DST), German Association of Towns and Municipalities (DStGB), German Association of Rural Districts (LKT) and the German Association of Local Public Utilities (VKU). It collaborates with municipal practitioners around the world, with a focus on the regions of sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa/Middle East, Southern/Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus. The project also operates in Latin America and Asia.

Last update: June 2025