Best Practices Database and Local Leadership Programme

During a visit to Nairobi and the UN Commission on Human Settlements (UNCHS), it was agreed that GEN join the steering committee of the Best Practices Database and Local Leadership Programme (BLP).

The BLP was launched as one of the key follow up activities to the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) and is designed to facilitate the implementation of the Habitat Agenda which resulted from that conference.

The steering group consists of 15 institutions and networks well known for their role in promoting sustainable human settlements.

Best Practices Award

The Best Practices and Local Leadership Programme (BLP) is a capacity building and networking programme. It has created, as an incentive, 10 awards of $10,000.

Cities and communities are encouraged to submit their experiences in improving their living environment. Those submissions meeting the criteria for Best Practice will be considered for the annual Awards for Excellence and for inclusion in the Best Practices database.

The Best Practices database is available on the internet 
http://www.bestpractices.org

and on CD ROM or computer diskettes. It allows users to search over 350 initiatives by region, country, eco-system, partners involved and thematic categories, such as urban governance, infrastructure and environmental protection.

Best Practices may be submitted in the following categories:

• improved shelter and urban infrastructure
• reconstruction strategies after natural and human disasters
• improved consumption/production cycles
• urban poverty reduction and job creation
• mainstreaming gender and combating social exclusion
• safe water supply and sanitation
• use of innovative technologies
• improved urban environment and health
• responsiveness to the ideas and needs of youth
• solid waste collection, recycling and reuse
• accessible public transport and communication
• crime prevention and social justice
• efficient, accountable and transparent governance
• use of indicators and information to improve decision making
• access to credit and micro credit

Guidelines for submitting Best Practices are available from
the Nairobi headquarters of UNCHS (Habitat),
PO Box 30030, Nairobi, Kenya.
Fax: +254 2 624266.
E-mail: bestpractices@unchs.org.
Web site: http://www.undp.org/un/habitat/practice/index.html