The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has launched a Call for Expressions to Establish Regional Hubs for Urban Living Labs in Asia for policy dialogue, city exchange, knowledge and skills distribution, and testing of low-carbon urban solutions with a focus on urban energy and e-mobility.
UN-Habitat seeks to assist cities in implementing low-carbon solutions in the sectors of mobility, resources and energy. It does so by facilitating policy dialogue, through sharing good examples and by providing technical assistance for the development and implementation of field projects that demonstrate the principles of such low-carbon, smart solutions.
In the context of the Urban Living Lab Centre, knowledge, network and outreach partners will be actively supported to co-develop training formats for local authorities, planners, practitioners and entrepreneurs. This will aim to build local policy and planning capacities, improve the ability of local authorities to access funding and financing mechanisms and support the take-up of innovative business models by companies and start-ups in the partner regions.
A key activity for the Urban Living Lab Center is the development of course curricula for low carbon development in four thematic areas (urban development, energy, mobility and digitalisation) in collaboration with regional hubs. Curricula for different educational stages will be co-developed, focusing on occupations with a high relevance for climate change mitigation and sustainable development. The Center will host the global online learning program and the joint capacity building toolbox.
Funding Information
Upon selection UN-Habitat will enter into an Agreements of Cooperation with up to two selected entities in Asia. UN-Habitat will contribute financial resources to the tune of a maximum of US$40,000 towards the Agreements of Cooperation.
Details
The proposed collaboration will entail:
Develop National Low-Carbon Urban Action Plans for the Asia Region with a focus on Vietnam and India (around the topics of urban mobility, energy and solid waste management)
Engage in Policy Dialogue with the National and Local Governments in Asia, formulating recommendations on how to support the uptake of low-carbon urban solutions
Facilitate in-country and regional city-to-city exchange on the topic of low-carbon action plans for cities
Develop context-specific online learning, short courses and on-site trainings, webinars, lectures, and courses for practitioners in public and private sector as well as academic research focusing on policy, finance and innovation around low carbon urban development
Facilitate blended learning activities and in-person capacity building tailored for Asia
Facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement and foster partnerships to create synergies of ongoing pilot projects in the city/region
The EOI should contain, but not be limited to the following:
A concept note including background information and approach that will be applied to develop and implement the Regional Hub.
The number and details of researchers/ students that the universities / institutions can dedicate for this collaboration.
The support/ contribution the organizations are willing to make including, cash and in kind; (contribution in terms of scholarships for student researchers staff time, office space and equipment and other support in cash and in-kind should be expressed in monetary terms)
Detailed breakdown of cost by component;
Governance and organizational structure; experience and qualifications of key professional staff and infrastructure facilities of the organizations;
Certified true copy of original Audited Account Statement for the last two years (of the lead submitter).; and
Annual report (of the lead submitter).
Criteria
Regional Hubs will be developed for Asia to engage in policy development, city exchange, capacity building and innovation support at the regional and local level. The hubs shall be hosted at a partner university or other non-profit knowledge and network institution in Asia, which is involved in low carbon urban development in the Asian Region.
For more information, visit Call for Expressions.
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