Category: SCN Programmes

Events organised and run by the Strong Cities Network

Breaking Down Barriers: City Exchanges as Tools for Building Collaboration

Posted on 4 December 2019 by Strong Cities Network - SCN Programmes

One of the most significant challenges in preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) is the sharing of information, resources, expertise and strategies. The lack of proper channels of communication, shared goals and informal spaces to discuss exchanges of ideas can breed mistrust and isolationism. 

To encourage the breaking down of these barriers, the Strong Cities Network (SCN) has conducted a series of city exchanges between its members. In this article, Local Prevention Coordinator Veton Latifi outlines their purpose and describes the latest (and first) city exchange to take place in the Western Balkans. 

Young Cities: How Youth Can Be Positive Agents of Change

Posted on 4 December 2019 by Strong Cities Network - SCN Programmes

Continuing on from our previous article on the importance of engaging and involving youth in municipal decision-making, as well as the mission of the SCN’s Young Cities programme, we are pleased to provide an update on the projects and work that youth are undertaking in Kenya, Lebanon and Senegal. We hope this can provide inspiration for our members for ideas on how cities can work with and empower youth, the range of issues that can be addressed, as well as the benefits of collaboration.

SCN’s Local Prevention Network Model expands to the Western Balkans

Posted on 9 October 2019 by Strong Cities Network - SCN Programmes

In 2017, the SCN launched an innovative and radical experiment in the Middle East – to bring local community actors together to drive efforts to help prevent violent extremism. This novel approach proved enormously successful, with six Local Prevention Networks (LPNs) launched across Lebanon and Jordan.

Today, we are proud to announce that this model is being expanded to the Western Balkans in the North Macedonian city of Kumanovo.

Last Call: Request for Proposals Local Partnership Grants (Kenya)

Posted on 9 October 2019 by Strong Cities Network - SCN Programmes

This is a last call for proposals. The SCN is seeking to fund a minimum of five local civil society or grassroots organisations between $8,000 and $10,000 USD to carry out projects which support the implementation of the County Action Plans in SCN member or engaged counties (Isiolo, Kwale, Lamu, Mombasa and Nakuru).

Building Bridges: Why Young Activists are Vital to the Future of Cities

Posted on 12 September 2019 by Strong Cities Network - SCN Programmes

Above: youth from Dakar, Senegal, participate in an Innovation Lab as part of Young Cities’ programme of work ‘Young people are the future’. While this is a truism, the reality of a growing youth population for cities makes the prospect a daunting one. In some cases,  youth population growth is outstripping the country’s ability to…
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Practice Spotlight: How to stop the threat of Tripoli’s Stray Bullets

Posted on 12 September 2019 by Strong Cities Network - Media, Member News, SCN Programmes

Above: the media campaign ‘Stray Bullets’ designed by Tripoli youth through SCN’s Young Cities programme is discussed on Lebanese national television Around the world, celebratory gunfire is a serious threat to life, with some bullets potentially reaching terminal velocity of 300 feet (91m) per second as they fall. Efforts by law enforcement to ban gunfire…
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County Actions Plans in Kenya – Progress and Next Steps

Posted on 12 August 2019 by Strong Cities Network - SCN Programmes

In part as a response to major terrorist attacks, including at the Westgate Mall and Garissa University, Kenya has committed considerable resources to P/CVE. In the 2016 National Strategy to Combat Violent Extremism, the Kenyan Government mandated counties to develop County Action Plans (CAPs) to support national CVE efforts at the local level. From 26…
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Lebanese SCN delegation on a study trip to the UK

Posted on 3 July 2019 by Strong Cities Network - SCN Programmes

Above: the Lebanese focal points with Prevent officers in Leicester On 24 and 25 June, the Strong Cities Network (SCN) organised a study trip for its municipal focal points from Lebanon with the support of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Our focal points from the cities of Saida, Tripoli and Majdal Anjar travelled to…
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Young Cities prepares for its next Phase of activities

Posted on 4 June 2019 by Strong Cities Network - SCN Programmes

Above: the launch of the Tripoli Youth Office in Lebanon The past two months have been a busy period for the Young Cities team, delivering activities in collaboration with SCN members in Kenya, Lebanon and Senegal. Young Cities is SCN’s flagship youth engagement, capacity-building, advocacy and policy programme that supports the development of local youth-led…
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