Republic of Congo Strengthening Urban Resilience Project

active

Component 1 focuses on strengthening urban resilience and access to infrastructure and services in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire through (i) erosion and flood risk reduction measures, (ii) urban infrastructure upgrading, and (iii) community engagement and development. More specifically, subcomponent 1.1 aims to improve erosion control and flood management by financing scalable measures, including nature-based solutions and prioritized investments based on risk assessments, as well as promoting sustainable land-use practices and supporting strategic and technical studies. Subcomponent 1.2 will finance climate-resilient and sustainable infrastructure and services in selected neighborhoods. Investments will include roads, health centers, schools, local marketplaces, and public green spaces, all guided by urban plans and technical studies that integrate climate and environmental concerns, including sustainable design principles such as green roofs, rain gardens, and permeable pavements. Subcomponent 1.3 aims to engage targeted communities—including women, youth, and vulnerable groups—in designing and maintaining the project investments. Further, it will support community initiatives, empower local associations, and finance resettlement planning and compensation.Component 2 aims to strengthen urban policies, plans, and instruments, and to build institutional capacity at both central and local levels to address urban development challenges. Subcomponent 2.1 centers on policy development, technical support, and capacity building for sustainable urban growth at both levels. It supports the formulation of a sectoral policy for construction, housing and urban development and supports municipal plans for climate resilience and sustainability in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire. It also funds specialized training and leverages existing knowledge platforms. Subcomponent 2.2 focuses on boosting urban management and municipal finances in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire and strengthening national institutions for climate and disaster risk management, by supporting disaster risk management strategies, disaster recovery frameworks, and enhancing early warning capacity, with a focus on cities' roles in disaster preparedness and response.Component 3 will cover costs for project coordination, implementation, supervision, financial management, audits, communication, procurement, monitoring and evaluation, environmental and social management, and the operation of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), including equipment, technical assistance, and training.Component 4 will provide immediate emergency response funding for eligible crises or emergencies, as needed. A dedicated Manual will contain instructions on how to trigger and use funds for emergency infrastructure rehabilitation and reconstruction.