Plan International Denmark’s ‘Safe and Inclusive Cities’ (SAIC) programme aims to tackle the multi-dimensional social, economic, security, political and environmental drivers of fragility which often co-exist in urban spaces. For example, urban contexts are often home to highly diverse and mobile populations, which experience increased social and economic integration challenges. Violence is an everyday occurrence in cities, with most urban centres also suffering from elevated levels of crime. SAIC has implemented a holistic intervention package with local civil society organizations and youth in select urban contexts in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Inspired by the OECD’s report on States of Fragility in 2016, Plan International Denmark’s ‘Safe and Inclusive Cities’ (SAIC) programme aims to tackle the multi-dimensional social, economic, security, political and environmental drivers of fragility which often co-exist in urban spaces. For example, urban contexts are often home to highly diverse and mobile populations, which experience increased social and economic integration challenges. Violence is an everyday occurrence in cities, with most urban centres also suffering from elevated levels of crime. SAIC has implemented a holistic intervention package with local civil society organizations and youth in select urban contexts in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The programme is based on two key assumptions. First, that the drivers of urban fragility in informal settlements are lack of safety, unemployment, and limited participation in decision-making. Second, that urban youth-led community-based organisations and youth savings networks as well as relevant civil society partners, government authorities, and private sector actors have capacities and creative resources to build on to address urban fragility. By strengthening young peoples’ capacity to collectively address all of the drivers of fragility the programme will contribute to making cities safer, more economically dynamic and more inclusive for young people.
SAIC is unique in that it includes a thorough research and documentation component. The data collected from these components is used to assess the progress in the implementation of the New Urban Agenda in the selected countries where SAIC operates. The results of the Urban Research Series will be especially helpful in assessing the progress in the implementation of the NUA. For example, insights gathered from qualitative data sourced from the SAIC intervention evaluation suggest that urban areas with economic policies more favourable to youth entrepreneurship (and supporting governance and implementation structures) are likelier to support the development of more prosperous and inclusive cities.
At programme midline:
1. Urban violence and conflict affecting young women and men has declined
2. There is an increased feeling of safety among all young women and men engaged in the programme
3. Vulnerable and excluded young people, especially young women, working in the urban informal sector are enabled to engage in decent work
4. Through strong civil society organisations, young women and men are influencing urban governance and planning on safety and economic opportunities
Goal 11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Goal 16 - Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels