GIB is launching its “Safe and Sound Cities” (S2Cities) initiative in Basel under the management of SP councilor Jessica Brandenburger.
The programme, which already operates in Envigado (Colombia), Bandung (Indonesia) and Ambato (Ecuador), aims to make urban environments safer and more inclusive for children and youth—particularly queer young people.
Key points:
- Focus on LGBTQI+ youth: S2Cities will empower queer adolescents to shape their city through workshops, idea‑generation sessions, and a competitive call for projects. Around ten participants will form a core group, with the best ideas selected for implementation next year. Participants will receive fair compensation for their work.
- Collaboration with local authorities: The project works closely with Basel’s cantonal Equality Office, ensuring it builds on existing initiatives rather than operating in isolation.
- Two‑year pilot: After two years the programme will be evaluated and, if successful, could be rolled out to additional cities.
- Long‑term vision: The goal is to create a permanent, financially secure queer youth centre in Basel, avoiding the pitfalls of short‑lived, volunteer‑driven projects.
Jessica emphasizes that, amid rising global threats to queer rights, Basel—home to one of the most progressive equality laws in German‑speaking Switzerland—offers a supportive environment for this pioneering effort.
Source: Original article (German)
