Infrastructure &
The Next Generation
Safe and Sound Cities
Leading global programme management for the Safe and Sound Cities Programme to catalyse youth-driven action for safer cities.
Phase 1: 2021 - 2024
Phase 2: 2024 - 2028
Phase 1: Envigado, Colombia; Bandung, Indonesia; Cuenca and Ambato in Ecuador; and Baguio and Naga in the Philippines
Phase 2: Continued engagement in most Phase I cities; expand implementation to new cities and new countries
Current global partners: Universidad EAFIT, City Collab, Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, Global Infrastructure Basel Foundation
Current local implementation partners: Fundacion Mi Sangre, Huasipichanga, Cordilleran Youth Center, WeSolve Foundation,ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, Kami Ruang Ketiga
Fondation Botnar
The Safe and Sound Cities programme (S2Cities) is a global programme that aims to improve the safety and wellbeing of young people in urban environments. It targets young people aged 15 to 24 in secondary cities of low and middle-income countries and supports their meaningful engagement in ideating and implementing solutions to safety and inclusivity challenges. Through engagement with local governments, institutions, private sector, community actors, and young people, the programme takes a systems-wide approach to creating safer spaces for all.
Designed as a ten-year programme, it has completed its first three years of implementation. In Phase I (2021-24), GIB’s S²Cities programme was implemented in six growing secondary cities, where young people and their wellbeing featured prominently in the national and local agenda. While continuing activities in most of the Phase I cities, the programme will build on the success and expand to new cities in Phase II (2024-29).
The programme is designed to be flexible and iterative, with an implementation cycle structured into five components. These include engaging urban actors and applying systems thinking to address urban safety, building capacities in local youth and municipalities, fostering youth-driven innovations incubators and creating systemic change preconditions to scale safer environments.
S2Cities is proudly led by GIB. We employ a context-sensitive, relational approach to urban safety in our programme implementation, encapsulated in our theory of change that is further adapted for every local partner. Activities are crafted to produce outcomes that contribute to lasting impact and support the long-term transformation of young people's urban environments and safety, extending beyond the programme's direct engagement.
GIB also advocates for S2Cities on global and local stages, serving as a speaker, facilitator, panelist, and organizer. Through knowledge resources like policy briefs, and platforms like Instagram, we leverage strategic communication to advance discourse on young people and safety and build visibility for the programme.
79 Government agencies engaged as part of trainings and dialogues
328 Non-profit & private sector organisations supported the co-creation process
499 learning events and publications where programme learnings were shared with other urban stakeholders
28 winning youth initiatives emerged from 6 programme cities, addressing diverse urban challenges from bullying, road safety, unsafe spaces, waste, etc.
91.3% young people who participated identify as being empowered due to the programme development.
74% young people enhanced their ability to advocate with public sector officers to address their safety and well-being concerns.
52.4% young people plan to actively participate in city planning and decision-making spaces.
