The phrase “safe and sound” evokes feelings of happiness, security, and peace.
For young people to thrive, urban environments need to be just, inclusive, and safe. They need to have adequate and accessible public spaces that stimulate positive social interactions and wellbeing. And young people should have a say in shaping these urban environments and experiences.
The S²Cities Programme (Safe and Sound Cities Programme) aims to improve young people’s safety and wellbeing in urban environments.
Focusing on young people between the ages of 15 and 24, the programme engages local governments, the private sector, civil society, community actors, and young people. The programme takes a systems change approach to empowering young people to ideate and implement solutions to safety, wellbeing, and inclusivity challenges and actively engage in urban planning and policymaking processes.
Cities of implementation include: Baguio and Naga, the Philippines; Ambato and Cueca, Ecuador; Envigado and Cartagena, Colombia; Bandung, Indonesia; Basel, Switzerland; with plans to expand to more cities.
Cities of implementation include: Baguio and Naga, the Philippines; Ambato and Cueca, Ecuador; Envigado and Cartagena, Colombia; Bandung, Indonesia; Basel, Switzerland; with plans to expand to more cities.
Driving Systemic Change
Driving Systemic Change
Driving Systemic Change
Driving Systemic Change
Driving Systemic Change
Driving Systemic Change
Driving Systemic Change
Driving Systemic Change
Driving Systemic Change
S²Cities is an open and iterative programme based on a cyclical process of understanding systems, strengthening capacities, ideating and implementing solutions, and scaling systems change. Activities in all cities follow this process.
Our Approach
Step 1
Understanding Systems
Step 2
Strengthening Capacities
Step 3
Catalysing Innovation
Step 4
Enabling Implementation
Step 5
Scaling Systems
Step 1
Understanding Systems
Reveals tactical triggers for change
Looking at safety from young people’s perspective
Examining the interrelations of safety issues which affect young people
Analysing the root causes of safety issues
Step 2
Strengthening Capacities
Fosters long-term sustainable change
Connecting actors and building networks
Creating inclusive structures for decision-making
Developing capacities of youth and public and private sector actors to sustain change
Step 3
Catalysing Innovation
Challenges the status quo
Applying design thinking methodology
Framing new mindsets to tackle complex safety issues
Harnessing young people’s creativity to solve local challenges
Step 4
Enabling Implementation
Supports funding & partnerships
Launching initiatives and securing implementation partners
Developing plans with youth and gaining stakeholder support
Boosting fundraising and ongoing support for one year
Step 5
Scaling Systems
Generates widespread change
Adapting and improving methods to fit local contexts
Scaling the learnings to other cities
Changing the system on a personal, societal, and environmental level
Safer cities created for and with young people.
Programme Cities & Timeline
During Phase I (2021 – 2024), the programme piloted in Bandung, Indonesia and Envigado, Colombia and expanded to an additional four cities (Cuenca and Ambato, Ecuador; Baguio and Naga (Camarines Sur), the Philippines).
The work conducted by young people and local partners is continuing to drive positive impacts on the urban environments and promote systemic changes through influencing national and local agendas. Phase II (2024 - 2029) began with expansion to Cartagena, Colombia and Basel, Switzerland (with a particular focus on safety for LGBTIQ young people) and holds exciting opportunities to expand to new cities, apply lessons learned, and offer more opportunities for meaningful youth engagement at the local and global levels.
The work conducted by young people and local partners is continuing to drive positive impacts on the urban environments and promote systemic changes through influencing national and local agendas. Phase II (2024 - 2029) began with expansion to Cartagena, Colombia and Basel, Switzerland (with a particular focus on safety for LGBTIQ young people) and holds exciting opportunities to expand to new cities, apply lessons learned, and offer more opportunities for meaningful youth engagement at the local and global levels.
Indonesia
Bandung
By 2050, 60% of Indonesia’s population is estimated to reside in urban areas. Bandung, its 4th largest city, is expected to accommodate some of this population growth, a large proportion of which will be young people. World Resources Institute Indonesia led local activities from 2021 – 2023. Kami Ruang Ketiga, an organisation which initially emerged as an initiative from Phase I of the programme and has since formalised into a youth-led NGO, continues to support renewal and revival of Bandung’s public places through community workshops and inclusive consultations to reimagine safety and usability of spaces.
Safety issues identified in Bandung include river and land pollution, road safety, poor air quality, crime / violence, lack of safe public spaces, and online harassment.
Safety issues identified in Bandung include river and land pollution, road safety, poor air quality, crime / violence, lack of safe public spaces, and online harassment.
Colombia
Envigado
With Colombia’s youth population projected to peak in 2030 at 8.8 million, there is a growing national interest in creating avenues for youth engagement in political and civic matters. In alignment with this agenda, our local partner Fundación Mi Sangre, engages local young people with experience in community volunteering and advocacy to strengthen their capacity to catalyse change.
Safety issues identified in Envigado include crime, air pollution, traffic, discrimination in public spaces, lack of credibility of institutions to file a complaint, sexual harassment, and discrimination against the LGBTIQ population.
Safety issues identified in Envigado include crime, air pollution, traffic, discrimination in public spaces, lack of credibility of institutions to file a complaint, sexual harassment, and discrimination against the LGBTIQ population.
ECUADOR
Cuenca
Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador with over a third of its population under the age of 20. Youth development sits high on the city’s agenda, and the city welcomes collaborations with organisations and institutions that focus on promoting entrepreneurship among youth. Huasipichanga together with Fundación Amaru and Integrar are leading local implementation activities in Cuenca. They involve young people in reinventing and revitalizing urban public spaces using nature-based design solutions.
Safety issues identified in Cuenca include insecurity in public spaces at late hours, sexual harassment, traffic accidents, mental health, and risk of robberies and assault on public transport.
Safety issues identified in Cuenca include insecurity in public spaces at late hours, sexual harassment, traffic accidents, mental health, and risk of robberies and assault on public transport.
PHILIPPINES
Baguio
Baguio is a highly-urbanized city with 65.5% of its population below the age of 30. In 2022, the Baguio City Council approved the ‘Youth Welfare and Empowerment Code’ to ensure young people’s participation in government decisions by promoting leadership development. Cordilleran Youth Centre (CYC), leading local implementation in the city, is committed to youth empowerment and community development and is focused on promoting social justice, human rights, and the welfare of indigenous and young people. CYC reaches Baguio’s youth by partnering with schools and community youth groups.
Safety issues identified in Baguio include traffic jams, discrimination, unsafe public transport, littering, and natural disasters.
Safety issues identified in Baguio include traffic jams, discrimination, unsafe public transport, littering, and natural disasters.
ECUADOR
Ambato
Ambato has a population of 0.4 million, with a median age of 28 years. Following Ecuador’s ‘Constitution Article 39’ that ensures young people’s participation in governance, the local government in Ambato is committed to involving young people in public decision-making and management of public affairs. Huasipichanga together with Fundación Tandem are leading implementation activities in Ambato. They use placemaking and systems thinking strategies to co-create solutions with young people to address issues of traffic congestion, mobility, and safety.
Safety issues identified in Ambato include anxiety and depression, sexual harassment, unsafe parks and public spaces, and discrimination due to youth, gender, or socio-economic status.
Safety issues identified in Ambato include anxiety and depression, sexual harassment, unsafe parks and public spaces, and discrimination due to youth, gender, or socio-economic status.
PHILIPPINES
Naga (Camarines Sur)
Naga, a secondary city in the Philippines, is a city of young people with nearly 55% of its population dominated by children and youth. The local government in the city is known for its good governance practices. WeSolve Foundation, leading local implementation in Naga, harnesses the power of collective action to scale innovative solutions and bring about systems change in Naga.
Safety issues identified in Naga include discrimination, traffic jams, teenage pregnancies and STDs, and lack of accessible and safe transportation infrastructure.
Safety issues identified in Naga include discrimination, traffic jams, teenage pregnancies and STDs, and lack of accessible and safe transportation infrastructure.
Following an impactful first Phase (2021-2024), the programme has embarked on its second Phase (2024 – 2029). In the coming years, we aim to deepen our engagement in current cities and expand our multi-year programme to new cities and new countries, seeking co-funding to scale its implementation.
