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The Government of Spain, the regional government of Basque Country, and the United Nations open the Local2030 Coalition Secretariat in Bilbao

The Local2030 Coalition is the UN System-wide platform and network for supporting and accelerating the localization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), endorsed in 2015 by 193 member states to ensure sustained and inclusive economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection, as well as fostering peaceful, just, and inclusive societies.

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The Government of Spain, the regional government of Basque Country, and the United Nations open the Local2030 Coalition Secretariat in Bilbao

Published by UNDP on 31 October 2022

Photo from Unsplash of Bilbao, Spain: https://unsplash.com/photos/Er_Z4qZHIEI

Bilbao, Spain, 31 October 2022. The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, Amina J. Mohammed; the Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Maimunah Mohd Sharif; the Assistant Administrator and Director of Bureau for Policy and Programme Support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Haoliang Xu; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain, José Manuel Albares; the Secretary of State for the 2030 Agenda, of the Ministry for Social Rights and the 2030 Agenda of Spain, Lilith Verstrynge; the President of the regional government of the Basque Country, Iñigo Urkullu; the Mayor of Bilbao, Juan Mari Aburto, and the President of the BBK Foundation, Xabier Sagredo, participated today in the opening of the Local2030 Coalition Secretariat in Bilbao alongside other high level authorities and stakeholders’ representatives.

During the opening the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, Amina J. Mohammed, highlighted that “The Local2030 Coalition will bring together the combined resources of the UN family in enabling the energy, digital, and green and blue transitions needed for sustainable development.”

The Executive Director of UN-Habitat (the permanent Co-chair of the Local2030 Coalition and lead agency of its Secretariat), Maimunah Mohd Sharif, noted that “The push towards localization started with Agenda 21, evolved with the Millennium Development Goals, and has become a real driving force in achieving the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. We hope that in the post-2030 Agenda, localization will be a central element rather than merely an instrument of implementation, a true manifestation of the principle of inclusive multilateralism.”

The Local2030 Coalition is a shared space to mobilize, engage and empower every local actor to bolster the localization of the SDGs. Fourteen UN Agencies, Funds, Programmes, and Offices are also part of the Local2030 Coalition, acting as the advisory body to its Steering Committee. Together with its partners, the Coalition will generate innovative solutions for local action and impact, it will actively contribute to SDG acceleration and will report progress at the SDG Summit in September 2024.

The Assistant Administrator and Director of Bureau for Policy and Programme Support of UNDP (the rotating co-chair of the Secretariat for the period 2022-2024), Haoliang Xu, stated during the opening that "The Local2030 Coalition has a unique opportunity to promote local actions for sustainable development everywhere and connect these local actions to the global 2030 agenda. The Secretariat, opening today in Bilbao, will provide the locus for cross-fertilization of ideas and exchange of solutions from across the world. We are grateful for the support of the Government of Spain, the Basque Government, and the Bilbao City Council."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain, José Manuel Albares, said that Bilbao’s awarding as the Local2030 Coalition Secretariat "is a tangible sign of the effort and commitment of all institutions in Spain, as well as our society, with this common welfare Agenda." 

The Secretary of State for the 2030 Agenda, Lilith Verstrynge, highlighted the "transformative potential of the local level to build the future of sustainability, rights and social justice that we want for everyone" and said that the opening of the Secretariat represents "a qualitative leap” in the commitment of the Government of Spain "with co-governance and with the work from the local level."

For his part, the President of the regional government of Basque Country (Lehendakari), Iñigo Urkullu, thanked the United Nations for selecting Bilbao to host the Secretariat, remarking that this "represents a recognition of the trajectory developed in the Basque Country in terms of the 2030 Agenda; and, fundamentally, it constitutes a commitment to the future." He also remarked the role that subnational governments have in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

The Mayor of Bilbao, Juan Mari Aburto, conveyed what it means for the city to host the Coalition Secretariat, "We are proud to be the headquarters of the global community's efforts in localizing the 2030 Agenda and we make available to this headquarters the resources, knowledge and experiences of our city to make the motto of 'leaving no one behind' a reality."

And the President of the BBK Foundation, Xabier Sagredo, mentioned that "BBK is firmly and strategically committed with the Local2030 Coalition Secretariat for the localization of the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations that today we open in Bilbao; because we know the transformative value of sustainable competitiveness to respond to the challenges of our territory, the planet and humanity."

The opening of the Local2030 Coalition Secretariat was held on the World Cities Day to recognize the contribution of cities and local actors to addressing the world’s urban challenges and engage the international community towards implementing the New Urban Agenda, the roadmap to sustainable urbanization adopted at Habitat III Conference in Quito in 2016.

The World Cities Day theme of this year Act Local to Go Global focused on accelerating the implementation of the SDGs in cities, towns, and local communities.

A panel session discussed urban challenges, accelerated implementation of the SDGs, and transformative solutions to leave no one and no place behind. The event was also a landmark of the World’s To-Do List global campaign that calls for greater support to cities to achieve the SDGs. Through this campaign the City of Bilbao joined other cities across the world in underlining their commitment to the SDGs.

Retrieved from https://www.undp.org/press-releases/government-spain-regional-government-basque-country-and-united-nations-open-local2030-coalition-secretariat-bilbao

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Cities Alive: Designing cities that work for women
Join the global launch of the new publication “Cities Alive: Designing Cities that Work for Women.” Developed by Arup, UNDP, and the University of Liverpool, the report presents fresh takes on how to achieve gender equity in the built environment benefits all communities globally.

The report provides actionable recommendations and guidance for policy-makers, urban and development practitioners on how to design and plan for cities that are safer, healthier, fairer and more enriching for women and girls.
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Cities Alive: Designing cities that work for women

Webinar by UNDP, Arup, and the University of Liverpool held on 24 October 2022

Cities provide pivotal hubs of innovation, productivity, and opportunities, and importantly homes and communities, and are a melting pot of individuals and cultures. However, when planned without social equity and diversity, they widen social gaps. 

In cities across the world, women of all ages and gender identities face a range of barriers and vulnerabilities. These include gender-based discrimination, inequality, violence, poverty, unpaid care work, limited control over assets, and unequal participation in private and public decision-making. Billions of women who reside in urban areas are underserved by the environments they live and work in. In both subtle and overtly discriminatory ways, cities are often built in such a way that women are unsafe, their basic needs are not met, and that their social and economic opportunities are restricted.

Join the global launch of the new publication “Cities Alive: Designing Cities that Work for Women.” Developed by Arup, UNDP, and the University of Liverpool, the report presents fresh takes on how to achieve gender equity in the built environment benefits all communities globally. It provides actionable recommendations and guidance for policy-makers, and urban development practitioners on how to design and plan for cities that are safer, healthier, fairer and more enriching for women and girls.

The report also offers real-world case studies and an easy-to-follow methodology to directly engage women in urban decision-making processes and incorporate their needs, concerns, and ideas in the planning, design and construction of gender-inclusive cities.

This high-level event and the global launch of the new publication will feature prominent speakers from UNDP, ARUP, the University of Liverpool, civil society, and the private sector.

Speakers include:

  • Francine Pickup, Deputy Director, UNDP Bureau for Policy and Programme Support
  • Sara Candiracci, Associate Director and Lead for Inclusive and Resilient Cities, Arup
  • Kim Power, Principal Planner, Arup
  • Abdallah al Dardari, UNDP Resident Representative in Afghanistan
  • Sowmya Parthasarathy, Director and Lead for Urban Design and Master Planning, Arup
  • Léan Doody, Director and Lead for Cities, Planning, and Design in Europe Programme, Arup
  • Martyn Evans, Creative Director, U and I Group PLC 
  • Catherine Queen, Lecturer in Planning, University of Liverpool
  • Smruti Jukur Johari, Urban Planner, School For Potential Advancement And Restoration Of Confidence (SPARC) India and Slum Dwellers International (SDI)

Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMCEn4e4AYw

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Cities Alive: Designing Cities That Work for Women

This report, by Arup, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the University of Liverpool, offers a novel approach and a clear methodology to directly engage women in decision-making processes, incorporating their needs, concerns, and ideas across all aspects of urban planning and development. It also provides actionable recommendations for all urban practitioners, government authorities, and communities alike, with real-world case studies to illustrate how cities can be designed in a gender-inclusive way.

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Cities Alive: Designing Cities That Work for Women

Published by UNDP, Arup, and the University of Liverpool on 20 October 2022

Cities act as pivotal hubs of innovation, productivity, opportunities, while serving as homes and communities for a melting pot of individuals and cultures. However, when planned without social equity and diversity in mind, urbanization can widen the gaps between different groups in society.

Among the most vulnerable are women all ages and gender identities in both wealthy and socio-economically disadvantaged urban contexts across the globe. Without a gender-responsive approach to urban planning, cities often compound gender inequalities that restrict women’s social and economic opportunities, health and wellbeing, sense of safety and security, and access to justice and equity.

Designing cities that work for women creates wider social, economic, and environmental benefits, along with safer, healthier, and more inclusive spaces, not just for women but for entire households and communities and is integral to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development across urban areas around the world.

Access the full report here: https://www.undp.org/publications/cities-alive-designing-cities-work-women

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Making cities safer for women: UN report calls for radical rethink

Cities have an in-built bias against women, who overwhelmingly describe them as unsafe and unwelcoming. A UN report released on Monday, calls for a complete overhaul of city design, and for women to be more closely involved in urban planning.

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Making cities safer for women: UN report calls for radical rethink

Posted by UN News on 24 October 2022

Cities have an in-built bias against women, who overwhelmingly describe them as unsafe and unwelcoming. A UN report released on Monday, calls for a complete overhaul of city design, and for women to be more closely involved in urban planning.

Photo: UN Women/Fatma Elzahraa Yassin. Activists protest against sexual harassment faced by women living in Cairo, Egypt.

Even though they make up half the population, women and girls get a raw deal when it comes to city design: in surveys, around 97 per cent of women in the UK aged 18-24, have complained of sexual harassment in public spaces, whilst in Ireland more than half of women surveyed say they feel unsafe on public transport after dark.

Other issues include a lack of suitable public facilities. for example, one third of women globally say that they don’t have access to adequate toilets.

The publication, “Designing Cities that work for Women”, focuses on four themes: safety and security, justice and equity, health and wellbeing and enrichment and fulfilment.

A woman walks through an underground tunnel.

Photo: Unsplash/Kevin Laminto

A lack of representation

A wide range of city design aspects are covered, from street lighting through to statues. Only around three per cent of monuments celebrating heroes of the past and present, depict women.

Women’s needs and aspirations are examined, from safety, to gender-based discrimination, and a lack of access to quality education and employment opportunities.

The study shows that women are not well represented in key decisions that affect the future environment for all: they only run around one in seven environment ministries, and face barriers in crucial areas such as city planning, construction, and leadership positions.

“Achieving gender equity is integral to each of the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” declared UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner. “When cities are largely designed without considering the diverse needs and insights of women of all ages and identities, this can have an adverse impact not only on their lives, but on their families.”

The Safe and Friendly City Bus is part of a programme raising awareness about sexual harassment and violence against women and girls in public spaces in Viet Nam.

Photo: UN Women/Hoang Van Nam

Women-friendly solutions

The report, which was developed by global design and engineering company Arup, the University of Liverpool, and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), draws on the voices and experiences of women around the world, as well as a thorough review of data and research.

There is a strong focus on solutions for decision-makers, and finding ways to

actively involve women at every stage of city design and planning, to ensure that cities work better for them, and are more resilient and inclusive.

Concrete recommendations include forming city-wide gender equality taskforces, education and development programmes, and creating design action plans.

Cooperation between city authorities and other stakeholders, such as businesses and civil society groups, is also cited as an important element in creating safer, equitable spaces for women and girls.

Retrieved from https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/10/1129752

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Design cities to work better for women, says a new report by Arup, University of Liverpool and UNDP

Approximately 4.5 billion people, or 55% of the world population, live in urban areas, and 50% of the world’s population is made up of women and girls. The new report, Cities Alive: Designing Cities that Work for Women’, shows that while women make up half the global urban population, cities have not been designed with them in mind. It calls on decision-makers, urban designers, and city planners to work towards cities that are more inclusive, safer, and equitable for women around the world.

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Design cities to work better for women, says a new report by Arup, University of Liverpool and UN Development Programme (UNDP)

Green City Lab

Photo: UNDP/Moldova

New York, Oct 24 – Urgent action is needed to remove the gender bias built into cities and improve women’s safety, their health, and access to education and employment, according to a new report released today by Arup, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the University of Liverpool.

The report draws on the voices and experiences of women globally, as well as a thorough review of data and research, to identify issues and recommendations based on the four critical themes: safety and security, justice and equity, health and wellbeing and enrichment and fulfilment.

The findings show that a limited voice in urban design decisions for women can exacerbate and perpetuate inequalities in cities, backed up by existing global statistics and research. Major issues include sexual harassment in public spaces, reflected by the experiences of 97% of women aged 18-24 in the UK, and a lack of access to suitable facilities, with one third of women globally not having access to adequate toilets. The gender bias built into cities is also reflected in honoring the heroes of the past and the present through public monuments, with only 2-3% of statues representing women across the world. And women are not well represented in key decisions that affect the future environment for all, with only around one in seven environmental sector ministries worldwide being led by women.

The new report argues that while barriers to women entering city planning, construction, and leadership positions urgently need to be removed, more needs to be done to reach those influencing how cities are designed now, to show them the importance of gender responsiveness and how to embed it into their work.

Focused on solutions, the recommendations give decision makers and urban practitioners the tools they need to move beyond mere consultation, and actively involve women at every stage of city design and planning – from inception to delivery. Importantly, the report also shows that accelerating the participation of women in urban governance at all levels is a prerequisite for better functioning cities, as cities that work better for women are more resilient and inclusive for all.

“Achieving gender equity is integral to each of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. When cities are largely designed without considering the diverse needs and insights of women of all ages and identities– this can have an adverse impact not only on their lives, but on their families. It restricts their opportunities and negatively impacts the overall sustainable development of societies. Gender-equal cities can generate enormous economic, environmental, political, and social benefits”, stated UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner.

“The gender bias built into the design of cities has had a negative effect on the lives of women around the world. We are calling on urban designers and planners to use this report’s recommendations to meet women’s needs in cities now, while working to bring more women into leadership roles,” stated Léan Doody, the European Director of Cities, Planning and Design at Arup.

The recommendations examine all women’s needs and aspirations, as well as safety, showing how issues like gender-based discrimination, lack of access to quality education and employment opportunities, or housing and essential infrastructure, negatively affect women. It also demonstrates that the gender bias built into cities impacts our ability to tackle climate change, with women facing disproportionate exposure to climate hazards.

The report presents actionable recommendations for key decision makers and urban practitioners on how to design and plan more inclusive, safer, and equitable urban areas for women, which generates benefits for all. Examples of projects and initiatives around the world that have seen success by embracing women’s participation are also provided. These include initiatives in Athens (Greece), Cochabamba (Bolivia), Bogota (Colombia), Nairobi (Kenya) Dakar (Senegal), Da Nang (Vietnam), and San Francisco (USA).

To ensure cities work better for women, the report emphasizes that authorities must work together – including organisations from the private and public sector, along with civil society groups – and design and plan cities that are more inclusive, safer, and equitable for women and girls.

Retrieved from https://www.undp.org/press-releases/design-cities-work-better-women-says-new-report-arup-university-liverpool-and-un-development-programme-undp

Media queries:

Arup- Dan Allen, Media Relations Manager

Email: 

Phone: +44 7989 735193

UNDP – Sangita Khadka, Communications Specialist, Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, email: 

About Arup

Dedicated to sustainable development, Arup is a collective of 16,000 designers, advisors and experts working across 140 countries. Founded to strive for humanity and excellence in everything that we do, we collaborate with our clients and partners, using imagination, technology and rigour to shape a better world.

About UNDP

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas; sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience.

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Lessons from Chile: How cities can improve quality of life (UNDP Urban October Blog Series)

Chile is experiencing a growing urbanization. Some 90 percent of Chileans live in cities, and they have seen significant improvement in the quality of life, through greater access to jobs, basic infrastructure, equipment, and community services.

The policies and programmes of recent decades have put special emphasis on reducing the housing deficit. Despite these achievements, significant inequalities persist, including territorial segregation, concentration of poverty, fragmentation, insecurity, overcrowding, low internet connectivity, and the lack of equitable access to urban public goods.

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Lessons from Chile: How cities can improve quality of life

With rational urban planning and management, cities can become dynamic centres of innovation.

Published by UNDP on 18 October 2022

Authors:

  • Carlos Montes Cisternas, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, Chile
  • Georgiana Braga-Orillard, Resident Representative, UNDP Chile

Santiago de Chile

Chileans who live in cities have seen significant improvements in their quality of life. Photo: Shutterstock

The resilience of cities and the enhanced capacity of their inhabitants is decisive in facing social, economic and health crises, as well as in mitigating the effects of climate change.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated pre-existing issues, increasing inequalities. Cities were hard-hit, particularly the most vulnerable citizens. This crisis, however, despite all its negative consequences, presents an opportunity to rethink the way in which we live, connect, build, and maintain our cities.

With rational and urban planning and management, cities can become dynamic centres of innovation that drive positive changes in people's daily lives. Cities can also be a protective factor against unforeseen events.

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 aims to make cities and communities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. This means access, for the entire population, to housing and basic services, as well as adequate, affordable and safe means of transportation, especially for people in vulnerable situations. SDG 11 also promotes sustainable urban planning with green areas, safe and inclusive public spaces, and an improved conditions in vulnerable neighbourhoods.

Chile’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and UNDP are working together to consolidate timely responses on urban development, in a context of high complexity marked by the post-pandemic recovery, and the great transformations that Chile is experiencing.

This alliance aims to re-position the role of the state as the lead in urban development, as well as the promoter, protector and guarantor of the right to adequate housing. In addition, the partnership aims to advance in terms of planning and governance, and in the articulation of policies, comprehensive regulatory frameworks and governance models that favour coordination, decentralization, and urban-rural synergy.

The partnership will address the housing crisis and its most visible expression: the growth in the number of informal settlements. An estimated 643,534 families in Chile lack adequate housing because of the rise in real estate prices, the cost of materials and increases in demand.

The partnership aims to promote urban planning with a special focus on the Housing Emergency Plan, which will increase decent housing and deliver 260,000 homes during President Gabriel Boric’s administration.

Resilient urban spaces tackle the environmental crisis and climate change, through sustainable plans that protect the environment, foster renewable energy, and water efficiency, and reduce carbon emissions.

It is crucial to put people at the centre of urban development and to promote inclusive communities by strengthening citizen participation. Citizens must be agents of change and assume a shared responsibility and involvement in decisions related to their living environment.

More than ever, it is necessary to establish a commitment to promote inclusive and sustainable urban development. In the cities lie the future of our populations, and it is in cities where we can better achieve inclusive and sustainable economic growth and not accept greater inequality. Our fate is in our hands. We hope that the UNDP partnership with the Government of Chile will result in a prosperous future.

Retrieved from https://www.undp.org/blog/lessons-chile-how-cities-can-improve-quality-life

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Designing cities that work for women - Global Report Launch by UNDP, Arup, and University of Liverpool
The report provides actionable recommendations and guidance for policy-makers, urban and development practitioners on how to design and plan for cities that are safer, healthier, fairer and more enriching for women and girls.
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Cities Alive: Designing cities that work for women

Organized by UNDP, Arup, and the University of Liverpool

Date and Time: Monday, 24 October 2022 from 9-10:30 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Register here: bit.ly/CitiesAliveLaunch

Description

Cities provide pivotal hubs of innovation, productivity, and opportunities, and importantly homes and communities, and are a melting pot of individuals and cultures. However, when planned without social equity and diversity, they widen social gaps. 

In cities across the world, women of all ages and gender identities face a range of barriers and vulnerabilities. These include gender-based discrimination, inequality, violence, poverty, unpaid care work, limited control over assets, and unequal participation in private and public decision-making. Billions of women who reside in urban areas are underserved by the environments they live and work in. In both subtle and overtly discriminatory ways, cities are often built in such a way that women are unsafe, their basic needs are not met, and that their social and economic opportunities are restricted.

Join the global launch of the new publication “Cities Alive: Designing Cities that Work for Women.” Developed by Arup, UNDP, and the University of Liverpool, the report presents fresh takes on how to achieve gender equity in the built environment benefits all communities globally. It provides actionable recommendations and guidance for policy-makers, and urban development practitioners on how to design and plan for cities that are safer, healthier, fairer and more enriching for women and girls.

The report also offers real-world case studies and an easy-to-follow methodology to directly engage women in urban decision-making processes and incorporate their needs, concerns, and ideas in the planning, design and construction of gender-inclusive cities.

This high-level event and the global launch of the new publication will feature prominent speakers from UNDP, ARUP, the University of Liverpool, civil society, and the private sector.

Speakers include:

  • Francine Pickup, Deputy Director, UNDP Bureau for Policy and Programme Support
  • Sara Candiracci, Associate Director and Lead for Inclusive and Resilient Cities, Arup
  • Kim Power, Principal Planner, Arup
  • Abdallah al Dardari, UNDP Resident Representative in Afghanistan
  • Sowmya Parthasarathy, Director and Lead for Urban Design and Master Planning, Arup
  • Léan Doody, Director and Lead for Cities, Planning, and Design in Europe Programme, Arup
  • Martyn Evans, Creative Director, U and I Group PLC 
  • Catherine Queen, Lecturer in Planning, University of Liverpool
  • Smruti Jukur Johari, Urban Planner, School For Potential Advancement And Restoration Of Confidence (SPARC) India and Slum Dwellers International (SDI)

Learn more here: bit.ly/CitiesAliveLaunch

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2022 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)

2022 GLOBAL MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY INDEX (MPI)

Published by UNDP and Oxford Poverty and Human

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Development Initiative (OPHI) on 17 October 2022 

The 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index Report "Unpacking deprivation bundles to reduce multidimensional poverty" finds that reducing poverty at scale is possible and unveils new 'poverty profiles' that can offer a breakthrough in development efforts to tackle the interlinked aspects of poverty.

The report identifies a series of 'deprivation bundles' -- recurring patterns of poverty -- that commonly impact those who live in multidimensional poverty across the world. The data are used to identify the poverty profiles that are more common in certain places. This is a crucial step in designing strategies that address multiple aspects of poverty at the same time.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic and the current cost-of-living crisis are accounted for, the data shows that 1.2 billion people in 111 developing countries live in acute multidimensional poverty. This is nearly double the number who are seen as poor when poverty is defined as living on less than $1.90 per day.

Access the full report here: https://hdr.undp.org/content/2022-global-multidimensional-poverty-index-mpi#/indicies/MPI

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UCLG's GOLD VI Report: Pathways to Urban and Territorial Equality

GOLD VI Report: Pathways to Urban and Territorial Equality 

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The GOLD VI Report: Pathways to Urban and Territorial Equality was launched by UCLG Co-President and Mayor of San José, Johnny Araya, during the plenary session on “Local and Regional Governments Breaking Through as One” on 12 October 2022. 

The GOLD VI Report is an essential contribution to the Pact for the Future of Humanity, the expected outcome document of the Daejeon’s World Summit. It was built following the three pillars of the Pact – people, planet, and government — and offers local and regional governments “pathways” to mobilize a common vision for addressing inequalities through local transformation strategies. 

The Report proposes that local authorities, together with civil society, can champion equality and address local manifestations of growing inequalities through addressing six interconnected pathways: Commoning, Caring, Connecting, Renaturing, Prospering, and Democratizing.

Each of its chapters offers a diversity of themes related to informality, housing, land, basic services, urban health, migration, sustainable transport, decent livelihoods, resilience, and energy transition, among others, all grounded in a framework of political participation and accountability.

The elaboration of the Report has involved a three-year collective co-creation process of over a hundred local and regional governments, civil society organizations, and experts from around the world. As such, the GOLD facilitate a rich process, supporting and strengthening multi-stakeholder dialogues and ensuring the participation and involvement of UCLG members. The lead team has been the UCLG Research area, the Bartlett Development Planning Unit of the University College London, and the International Institute for Environment and Development.

Article by Urban Journalism Institute: https://urbanjournalism.institute/municipaltimes/gold-vi-report-a-fundamental-contribution-to-the-urban-and-territorial-equality/

Access the full report, individual chapters, and the executive summary here: https://www.goldvi.uclg.org/en

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Education Grant for Underprivileged Girls: A Beacon of Hope

The Livelihood Improvement of Urban Poor Communities (LIUPC) Project of United Nations Development Programme and Local Government Division aims to contribute to balanced and sustainable growth by reducing urban poverty in Bangladesh and achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

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Education Grant for Underprivileged Girls: A Beacon of Hope

Published by UNDP on 11 October 2022

Although the government had made tuition free for girls, the families struggled with additional expenditure like cost of uniforms, stationery, extra coaching to maintain their education. So, by the time the children finished primary school, most were pulled out.

©UNDP Bangladesh

“I never thought I would be able to continue school,” Bithi Akhter, a 15-year-old resident of Korail slum, told with teary eyes.

“My parents would tell me; you are a girl. Why should we waste money on your education?” she continued adding that her family, due to her gender, preferred to keep her home until she came of age to start working in Readymade Garments Factory.

Not only Bithi, but many of the girls in Korail faced the same future. With families of four to five meeting days end on an average monthly earning of Tk 25,000 ($247), education for children, especially a girl child, seemed unworthy. Due to lack of incentive, instead of education, they were faced with strenuous work or early marriage. 

Although the government had made tuition free for girls, the families struggled with additional expenditure like cost of uniforms, stationery, extra coaching to maintain their education. So, by the time the children finished primary school, most were pulled out.    

“I was in class six at that time. It was 2018. My parents suddenly told me that there was no need for me to go to school from next year. I remember what they told me: stay at home until you are of age to go and work at the [Readymade] Garments Factory. That would be better for us,” she continued.

A year later, fortune struck for Bithi. A development project working for bettering the lives of the urban poor, was providing education grants. Bithi and many of her friends, who were at risk of dropping out, were selected as beneficiaries.

Morsheda Akhter, a community organizer of LIUPCP, said, “We search out underprivileged families of the slum and give their children educational grants and other support to help them continue their study.”

“Previously the school dropout rate was very high in Korail slum.  But in the changed scenario, most of the parent have been sending their children to schools,” she added that the grant has served as an incentive for the parents to allow the children to continue studies.

Since receiving the grant, Bithi has come a long way from sitting at home, waiting to come of age to go and work. A student of class 10 at Mohakhali Model School, Bithi had a twinkle in her eye as she talked about how she envisions her future.

“I love accounting. I am going to work in a bank and support my family. I know I have the potential; I am good at it. Now I can prove it to others,” she said.