CAD collaborates with Cities Alliance/UNOPS to enhance the development of public good and services for equitable economic growth.
Several knowledge products will be launched within the frame of this collaboration to document the activities of the Joint Work Programme (JWP) on Equitable Economic Growth in Cities.
The JWP on Equitable Economic Growth supports equitable access to public goods and services by all citizens and businesses in cities. It identifies and facilitates knowledge and interventions that achieve equitable economic growth in cities.
The Programme (2016-2020) is funded by the Department for International Development of the United Kingdom.
CAD mission consists of delivering evidence that demonstrates how public services can improve equitable economic growth. This will be achieved by collecting successful and inspiring cases, tools, guidance and indicators.
The deliverables will inform global and local audiences about the work of the JWP. They will also illustrate the work of cities of the JWP Campaign in Uganda, Bangladesh, Ghana and Kenya.
This assignment will finally reflect Cities Alliance corporate priority to promote gender equality in cities.
Cities as engines of equitable economic growth
As part of the project, CAD team attended the 4th World Forum of Local Economic Development in Praia, Cabo Verde, at the end of October.
The event gathered national, regional, local governments, practitioners and other stakeholders from all over the world. This meeting aimed at promoting a global dialogue and sharing experiences on local economic development.
A side event was hosted by the JWP on Equitable Economic Growth in Cities. The session highlighted how cities, and in particular secondary ones in low-income countries, struggle to become “engines of growth”. It also addressed a better understanding of the link between gender-responsive services and equitable economic growth in cities.
Gender-responsive public goods and services are key to local economic development
The high rate of unemployment and urban inequality is reinforced by the lack of inclusion, little structural transformation and institutional barriers in these contexts.
Cities are therefore unlikely to support the economic empowerment of women necessary to foster equitable local economic development.
CAD documented during the event the interactive panel inspiring the discussion. The participants addressed how locally providing basic goods and services support women’s economic empowerment and economic growth.
Photo credit: Orbis UK via Visual hunt / CC BY-NC-ND
