Pilot Project: 3 cities partners of Berlin in exchange with civil society (Berlin – Jakarta – Mexico-City – Windhoek)

In collaboration with the Berliner Entwicklungspolitischer Ratschlag (BER), a consortium of BER member groups and Berlin One World Promoters has developed a concept and pilot project to strengthen Berlin’s long-standing city partnerships with Jakarta, Mexico City and Windhoek at a civil society level. Up to now, these partnerships have predominantly involved actors in city administration.

The pilot project comprises three South-North partner tandems, each consisting of a Berlin NGO ( Afrika-Rat Berlin-Brandenburg ,  México Vía Berlín ,  Watch Indonesia ) and an NGO in the respective partner city ( NID-Namibian Institut for Democracy ,  WALHI – Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia ,  Casa Tochán ), as well as an overall coordination by the Berliner Entwicklungspolitischer Ratschlag. The aim is to make international North-South cooperation more equal, sustainable and vibrant. The project is based on the  City Partnership Concept of the same name.

In a 1.5-year development phase, the tandems will build networks in all four cities and between themselves (South-North and South-South) and jointly identify current global challenges for development cooperation. At the same time, relations between the administration and civil society will be intensified.

In a subsequent two-year implementation phase, the tandems will jointly devise development policy projects to meet global challenges through local action strategies. Through broad transnational networking, intensive dialogue and annual meetings, the project will develop innovative solutions that drive forward a socio-ecological transformation.