City-to-City-Cooperation Maghreb-Germany

laufendes projekt

ContextCities in the Maghreb are growing by an average of 3 per cent a year. By 2030, the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) predicts an increase in urbanisation to up to 72.6 per cent for Algeria, 72.5 per cent for Morocco and 74.4 per cent for Tunisia. This pace of urban growth provides opportunities for Maghreb municipalities to achieve sustainable economic development by optimising existing structures and infrastructure. Innovative, sustainable technologies, a change in their environmental understanding, political measures for social integration and new mobility concepts are successively transforming these cities into places worth living in. Nevertheless, many challenges remain, such as adapting to climate change, the shortage of technical skills and inadequate investment in urban infrastructure. At the same time, the population wishes to be involved in self-government.ObjectiveSelected Maghreb stakeholders are in a better position to tackle the challenges of urban development.ApproachThe Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the Service Agency Communities in One World (SKEW) of Engagement Global gGmbH are advising and helping to coordinate project partnerships between Maghreb and German cities. The project partners exchange expert knowledge and experience in the field of urban development. This specific expertise of German and Maghreb practitioners in local administration and politics promotes sustainable urban development in selected cities in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia.The partners learn from each other through pilot projects. Maghreb cities are making their administrative and technical procedures more efficient while improving their municipal services through specific implementation. German cities benefit from Maghreb experience, for example with regard to inclusive and participatory processes in local government and urban planning.The project organises expert missions, study trips and placements in German and Maghreb cities and municipalities for its partners and enhances methodological expertise through in-service training.During the COVID-19 pandemic, the project is ensuring continuity of exchange between the municipalities by virtual means.Besides the municipal project partnerships, the project supports four regional learning networks in cooperation with the European Academy Berlin (EAB). These learning networks are developing practical solutions to shared urban development challenges in the three Maghreb countries. Each learning network connects between 10 and 12 experts from Maghreb municipalities, public administration, civil society, and universities.In addition, together with national and municipal partners, the project is implementing measures to strengthen the resilience of Maghreb municipalities against COVID-19.

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