Knowledge

The World Youth Report: Youth and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

UN DESA (2018) The World Youth Report by UN DESA focusses on the relevance of young people for sustainable development. It examines how youth development efforts can contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and other related frameworks and vice versa. By highlighting manners in which evidence-based youth policies can help accelerate youth-related objectives, the report pays particular attention to the role of the 2030 Agenda for enhancing youth development efforts. While recognising that all SDGs are important to youth development, the report concentrates primarily on the areas of education and employment. Other goals such as gender equality, good health, reducing inequality, among others, are touched upon briefly.

Country Experiences with Decentralised Climate Finance: Early Outcomes

ODI (2019) This working paper by ODI analyses the impact of public government-led climate fund investments and their responses to locally determined priorities. The study, with its focus on effectiveness and equity, is guided by three main questions: How is climate resilience being defined and measured at national and sub-national levels? What outcomes have been achieved from climate finance investments, and what can be learnt from these? To what extent does the level of government involved in the investment decision-making process affect the outcomes of activities that aim to strengthen climate resilience? In order to answer these questions a centralised fund in Ethiopia and decentralised funds following the same design in Kenya, Mali and Senegal are compared.

Land and Conflict Prevention: How Integrated Solutions Can Help Achieve Sustainable Development Goals

FriEnt (2019) FriEnt’s new study on 'Land and Conflict Prevention' analyses the interlinkages between violent conflict, land and natural resources. Drawing on 16 case studies from around the globe the publication summarizes good practices, political achievements, challenges and lessons learned in the prevention of violence in struggles over land and natural resources. It advocates for integrated solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular goal 16.1 (Reduce and Prevent Violence at all Levels).

A Local Governance Approach to Programming: Guidance for Achieving

UNICEF (2019)

The well-being of marginalised groups such as children and adolescents is frequently determined by decisions made at the local level. The important role of local government concerning access to goods and basic services is hence increasingly recognised in the humanitarian context. Cross-cutting programming that takes into account both local government as well as local stakeholders can therefore be very beneficial to development efforts, particularly in fragile contexts. This handbook summarizes UNICEF’s experience concerning community engagement and support of local decision making in the areas of disaster risk preparedness, peacebuilding and humanitarian response. Thereby it provides guidance for stakeholders working in humanitarian contexts in rural and urban settings.

Partners for Review: Voluntary National Reviews submitted to the 2019 High-level Political Forum for Sustainable Development: A Comparative Analysis

Partners for Review and GIZ (2019) In July 2019, various UN Member States submitted the results of their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) to the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). The present analysis compares these results and pinpoints similarities and differences. It is demonstrated that the countries concerned have expressed a strong commitment to implement the 2030 Agenda, but that steps taken to achieve sustainable development vary significantly in approach and degree. The report concludes that countries have taken ownership of their VNR processes.

Order from Chaos: Stabilising Libya the Local Way

European Council on Foreign Relations (2018)

A multiplicity of international actors operate in Libya, with a sometimes surprising level of cohesiveness. Nevertheless, now is the time for them to collectively agree a high-level strategy, ensuring they have a bird’s eye view of the efforts they are all making to bring stability back to Libya. The three main components of stabilisation are: ensuring the delivery of public services; stabilising the economy; and providing security. There has been some progress on the first component, but stabilisation actors must now focus on the economy. Innovation at municipal level

and the weakness and corruption of central government mean that international players should look to local authorities as partners for re-establishing public services.

The Transition to Sustainable Cities and Territories: The Role of Local and Sub-National Governments of Africa (Declarations Book)

UCLG Africa (2019)

In late November 2018, the 8th edition of the Africities summit took place. 8300 participants gathered in Marrakesh, Morocco, to discuss ‘The Transition to Sustainable Cities and Territories, The Role of Local and Sub-National Governments of Africa’. DeLoG conducted a side-event on the 'Leave No One Behind' principle. Therefore, we are particularly happy to see LNOB included in the Declerations Book of Africities, which has been published in June 2019. It includes all declarations and recommendations adopted by the sessions. Have a closer look here, especially at the Decleration by Development Partners on page 23.

Time to Act: Realizing Indonesia’s Urban Potential

World Bank Group (2019)

Indonesia is the fourth most populous country and is rapidly being urbanised. To make sure, that policymakers recognise and implement the potential of Indonesia as prosper and developed country with benefits that arise from the urban agglomeration, this report provides ideas for institutional reforms and policies. It shows the challenges and opportunities for urbanisation in Indonesia.

Better Cities, Better World: A Handbook on Local Governments Self-Assessments

World Bank (2019)

With a sense of urgency, we face the urbanisation wave and need to search for effective and innovative ways to deal with new and old problems. This handbook provides information concerning the complex past, current and future challenges that cities face. The book addresses two key questions that tackle municipal infrastructure and services financing: Are we doing the right things? and Are we doing things right?.

Reflections on Citizens Participation in Europe’s Cities

URBACT (2019)

This policy paper captures the knowledge from the first URBACT City Lab. With the focus on citizen participation, this paper identifies challenges that cities are facing and shares relevant learning experiences and good practices from cities.