Safe & Sound Cities

Driving Systemic Change

S²Cities is an open and iterative programme based on a cyclical process of system understanding, building capacities, prototyping solutions, and improving and scaling solutions.

Our Approach

Step 1

Understanding Systems

Step 2

Building Capacities

Step 3

Catalysing Innovation

Step 4

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

Learning Framework

Stakeholder Mapping

Systemic Analysis

Participatory Data Collection

Step 2

Building 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

Gap Research

Training

Private Sector Engagement

Youth Empowerment

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

Research

Ideation

Co-Design

Selection & Launch

Implementation & Monitoring

Step 4

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

Research

Advocacy

Global Learning Network

Communications

Safer cities created for and with young people.

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Principles Driving Our Actions

Theory Of Change

While aligning with these larger goals, local partners design their own methodology according to the local context and the city’s needs and priorities. Youth engagement is central to all stages of the programme.

Programme Cities & Timeline

In the pilot phase (2021-22), the programme launched in two growing secondary cities, where young people and their wellbeing feature prominently in the national and local agenda.

Our work in these cities is made possible through our collaboration with ICLEI, a global network of 2500+ local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. ICLEI’s Regional Offices play a key role in securing partnerships with local governments for the S²Cities Programme. They also support local implementation through partner organisations with strong local networks and expertise in grassroots-level impact.

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. Along with ICLEI Southeast Asia, WRI Indonesia will support Bandung’s youth to proactively contribute to policymaking for urban safety, engaging young people in research and formalising a youth consultative group for the local government.

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, in collaboration with ICLEI South America, will engage local young people with experience in community volunteering and advocacy to strengthen their capacity to catalyse change.

Following the pilot phase, we aim to expand our multi-year programme to ten secondary cities across the Global South, seeking co-funding to scale its implementation.