What is theIUC Program?
The rapid demographic change has forced many cities under significant pressure, with local governments often having difficulty responding to demands for energy, water, health, education and transportation services.
The three-year International Urban Cooperation Program (IUC) aims to support cities in different regions around the globe to connect and share solutions to common problems in sustainable urban development. Through IUC participation, cities will have the opportunity to share and exchange knowledge with their international counterparts, building a greener and thriving future.
Funded by the European Union, the activities of the International Urban Cooperation Program (IUC) will support the achievement of political objectives both at local level and in connection with key international agreements on sustainable urban development and climate change, such as the New Urban Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.
What does the IUC Program do in Latin America?
The IUC-LAC (Latin American and the Caribbean) is the most comprehensive part of the program in the world. Three components of the program are being developed in this region of the world.
In the city selection process, 20 will be selected from the focal countries for collaboration with European counterparts. For the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, all Latin American cities are invited to participate. On the regions selection, 20 will be chosen.
In addition, the IUC-LAC develops training activities, technical visits, workshop and events on sustainable urban development, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and innovation for local and regional development.
The IUC program is divided into three components, each with a focal area:
1
CITY-TO-CITY COOPERATION ON SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Building on the success of the “World Cities” project and the approach of the “URBACT” network, cities in the European Union will partner with cities in other regions of the world facing sustainable development challenges. The selected cities will be supported to plan, implement and manage sustainable urban practices through the development of local action plans, which will outline activities and pilot projects to achieve results and open up market opportunities.
A knowledge exchange platform will be established with resources and best practices on overcoming specific urban development barriers.
2
SUB-NATIONAL ACTION UNDER THE GLOBAL COVENANT OF MAYORS
Cities and other sub-national locations will be encouraged to join to the Global Covenant of Mayors, a global initiative to tackle climate change. The Global Covenant of Mayors gathers thousands of local governments voluntarily committed to implementing ambitious climate and energy objectives in their territories.
It is a powerful response by cities to address climate change. Based on the commitment of over 7,000 cities, it is the largest global alliance committed to local climate leadership.
For more information, click on each logo below
Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy regional website
Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy global website
3
INTER-REGIONAL COOPERATION IN INNOVATION FOR LOCAL AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The program support will focus on finding ways to improve innovation and regional cooperation within and between two regions: the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean.
The program will encourage the development and strengthening of regional strategies involving small and medium business (PMEs) and promote international value chains. Experiences, best practices, and lessons learned, will be identified and shared, promoting the generation and development of knowledge. Click for more information.