The program is structured as a rigorous technical modular seminar providing background on key concepts and recent trends in urbanization and describing how cities can be governed by an inclusive way. The program also explains the different modalities of private sector engagement in basic municipal services and gives and comprehensive understanding of the legal framework. The program supports the content by showcasing global good practices of MEs and potential financial instruments in these fields.

Previous MELA Programs

• MELA Turkey-The online training was launched in Turkey in collaboration with the Union of Municipalities of Turkey (TBB), Kibar Holding, and United Cities & Local Governments Middle East & West Asia Section (UCLG-MEWA) on 29-30 September 2020. The training program was followed by nearly 200 registered participants from local authorities and enterprises in Turkey.
• MELA Palestine- IICPSD has run the “Training Program on Municipal Enterprises for Local Authorities Ahead to Achieving the UN 2030 Agenda” (MELA) in Turkey, in collaboration with the Association of Palestinian Authorities (APLA), Kibar Holding, and United Cities & Local Governments Middle East & West Asia Section (UCLG-MEWA) on 4-5 November 2020. The training program was followed by representatives of local governments in Palestine.
• MELA-Azerbaijan: The training program on Municipal Enterprises for Local Authorities-MELA was conducted for local authorities in Azerbaijan in collaboration with the Union of Municipalities of Azerbaijan (AŞBMA), Kibar Holding, United Cities, Local Governments Middle East-West Asia Section, and UCLG Eurasia Sections (UCLG-MEWA & UCLG-Eurasia), along with the Union of Turkish World Municipalities (TDBB) on February 15-16, 2021.
• MELA Albania : The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (IICPSD) has run the “Training Program on Municipal Enterprises for Local Authorities Ahead to Achieving the UN 2030 Agenda” (MELA) for Albania in collaboration with UNDP Albania, Association of Albanian Municipalities, Turkish Union of Municipalities (TDBB), United Cities Local Governments Middle East West Asia Section ( UCLG-MEWA), Council of European Municipalities and Regions, and Kibar Holding on November 23-24,2021.

Outcomes: MELA Turkey

• Following the training program, as the local governments had been informed about Innovative Financing Mechanism for Municipal Infrastructure projects within the frame of Global Islamic Finance and Impact Investing Platform’s (GIFIIP) work, we received interest from Konya Metropolitan Municipality in Istanbul for technical assistance on the first-ever Green Sukuk issuance at local authority level. We started working together with the Local Authority Policy Board of the Presidency of Turkey, UNDP Turkey, and Emlak Participation Bank

Outcomes: MELA Palestine

• Following the training program, as the local governments had been informed about localizing the SDGs during the session led by UCLG, the local authorities in Palestine decided to participate in Voluntary Local Reporting- SDG Aligned Projects. The Center supports the Policy Advisory Board of UCLG on VLR for local governments in Palestine.Outcomes: MELA Azerbaijan As an outcome of the MELA training in February 2021, the Turkish World Municipalities Union and UNDP Azerbaijan organized a technical visit for Azerbaijan Municipalities to Turkey between 11-14 July 2021. During the 3-day program, the representatives from Azerbaijan visited Bağcılar, Esenler, Pendik, and Ümraniye Municipalities in Istanbul. The parties shared information and knowledge about their projects on Waste Management, Smart Cities, Urban Transformation, and their Municipal Enterprise Governance strategies.

The Presidency of Turkey Local Authorities Policy Board United Cities Local Governments- Middle East West Asia Section Union of Municipalities of Turkey, Association of Palestinian Local Authorities, Union of Turkish World Municipalities Union of Azerbaijan Local Authorities, Union of Local Authorities in Albania and many private sector actors in the urban service ecosystem

UNDP IICPSD will continue addressing the importance of New Urban Agenda through it knowledge products and will continue providing technical assistance for the implementation of NEW Urban Agenda by giving technical assistance to its partners / stake holders as we as UNDP Country Offices.