VNG International implements City Deals, an approach in which relevant stakeholders work closely together to enhance innovation and liveability in cities. We support medium-sized, fast-growing cities in their transition to inclusive and sustainable urban development, by seeking new forms of cooperation between local government, companies, civil society, knowledge institutions and funders. City Deals are centred around specific themes such as climate adaptation or spatial planning. Because local and urban government are becoming increasingly important and complex, there is a growing need for a collaborative, responsive and flexible municipality. The City Deals have been applied in Kumasi (Ghana), Sèmè-Podji (Benin), Pathein (Myanmar), Pereira (Colombia), Beira (Mozambique) and Manila (Philippines). For each city, a tailor-made City Deal was made based on local priorities.
An increasing share of the global population resides in cities, with 70% expected to live in urban areas by 2050. Urban governments face unprecedented challenges in ensuring quality of life, employment, safety, and environmental sustainability. In today’s interconnected world, addressing these challenges requires integrated solutions, as tackling one issue in isolation can often create negative impacts elsewhere.
At VNG International, our mission is to support urban local governments in navigating these complexities. To assist fast-growing cities in transitioning to inclusive and sustainable development, we have developed a unique approach rooted in the Netherlands’ Urban Agenda and the concept of City Deals. This model fosters new forms of collaboration among local governments, businesses, social organizations, knowledge institutions, and funding partners, driving effective and sustainable urban transformation. See the diagram below.
The City Deals have been implemented in several cities including Kumasi (Ghana), Sèmè-Podji (Benin), Pathein (Myanmar), Pereira (Colombia), Beira (Mozambique) and Manila (Philippines). For each city, a program is tailor-made based on local priorities.
- Watch our ‘City Deals to deal with cities’ animation video: https://youtu.be/IMSYt-6zsv8
- Watch our approach to integrated governance approach here: https://youtu.be/5Bx3Eyxj6Ok