Working together for resilient and inclusive communities, CLGF and Belize City Council have agreed a programme of joint work in ongoing efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Local government a key partner in development

The programme of work, agreed in September, commits to improve evidence-based municipal planning and decision making, using GIS to support community inclusiveness and policy development. The importance of having local councils at the heart of development activities is something that CLGF passionately advocates, and is happy to be supporting in Belize City through its EU funded project, Strengthening local government’s role as a partner in development.

Community inclusiveness and civic pride

The project seeks to stimulate greater community inclusiveness and a sense of pride, while building institutional capacity and promoting evidence-based municipal decision making. Under these projects, the partnership aims to achieve the rehabilitation of two communities; the enhancement of a functional GIS Department within the council; and the elaboration of a new rent stabilisation policy to stimulate the increased supply of affordable, decent housing.

The Project is part of CLGF’s ongoing work through its Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Network (CSCN) to come together to look at key issues relating to effective urban management, namely; devolution and governance at the city/municipal level; urban trade, economic development and investment; technology for development; and creating inclusive and resilient cities in line with SDG11 (Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable).

Rapid urbanisation

Regional Programme Manager, Ms Sandra Singh said: "We are very grateful to the European Union for supporting these initiatives, both in this region, and across the Commonwealth. This is a real boost during such a challenging time with the pandemic, but also at a key time when rapid urbanisation is something we need to think about everywhere, but particularly in the Caribbean."

In recognition that nearly 50% of the projected increase in the world’s urban population to 2050 is forecast to be in the Commonwealth, CLGF has joined with a number of partners (Association of Commonwealth Universities, Commonwealth Association of Architects, Commonwealth Association of Planners, with support from The Prince’s Foundation, the Rwandan Ministry of Infrastructure, the Rwandan Ministry of Local Government and others) to focus on this issue. 

There has never been a more important time for members of the Commonwealth to come together to tackle the challenges of climate change and rapid urbanisation; challenges which have now been compounded by the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. Find out more and keep up to date by going to the dedicated website with recordings of the online events held over the last few weeks.