Urban Matters
Urban Matters
| is… | an innovative way of development co-operation |
| builds… | liveable and sustainable neighbourhoods |
| brings… | individuals and organisations, private companies and professionals from development countries and the Netherlands together |
| provides… | inventive and practical solutions |
| for… | houses, electricity, toilets, clear drinking water, waste disposal, employment and safety |
1+1=3
Urban Matters creates opportunities by bringing existing initiatives and ideas of civil society, government and private sector together. By joining hands the impact of the individual projects can be increased, bringing real change to the lives of the slum dwellers.
Map and Match
Cordaid will map the needs and demands of local actors, and match them to Dutch partners. Bringing people with different backgrounds together can create unexpected solutions.
Win-Win opportunities
Every organisation will benefit. Every stakeholder has it own reason to participate. The win varies per organisation, whether it is changing the lives of the urban poor or opening up new markets. The win creates commitment among the Urban Matters partners and ensures sustainability.
Involvement of residents
Developing a neighbourhood is more than laying bricks. Social investments are needed too. Urban Matters entails an integrated approach, involving many fields of work interacting with each other. Part of this approach is building on the strength of people. Imposing plans from the drawing board won’t work. So slum residents will be actively involved in the process. Urban matters can only succeed if residents are part and parcel of the program.
Exchange of knowledge with the Netherlands
Poor housing and lack of basic facilities are the first things that leap to the eye, but many challenges resemble those in Dutch underprivileged neighbourhoods; high rates of unemployment and school drop out, low levels of education, weak social cohesion, alcohol and drugs abuse, violence and criminality. Exchange of experience may bring interesting new ideas to all organisations involved in creating sustainable neighbourhoods.