The incorporation of technology is increasingly taking up space in the daily lives of cities. This irreversible process stands out for its transformative potential at the local and urban levels, with the possibility of providing a new leap in people's quality of life.

By 2050, cities will house 701,300 of the world's population, according to a United Nations study. (UN). In this context of expanding urban centers, technological solutions are fundamental to the transition process necessary to achieve a green economy that encompasses, in addition to current market demands, a new proposal for the future.

Therefore, it is becoming increasingly necessary to bring the topic of innovation and technology into discussions about sustainable urban management, producing positive impacts for human development and allowing the city to be conceived in a holistic and intelligent way. 

ICLEI Innovation

In February 2020, a partnership between ICLEI South America and Public launched ICLEI Innovation, with the intention of generating technological solutions that can meet the demands and challenges of the municipalities. 

The initiative will emphasize sustainable urban development and entrepreneurship by supporting startups operating in the areas of innovation and sustainability for local public management. Without losing sight of the health crisis imposed by Covid-19, ICLEI Innovation will also seek solutions that support the fight against the new coronavirus and engage with the restructuring of local governments in the post-pandemic era.

In a context where startups are gaining ground with innovative solutions in various areas, ICLEI Innovation emerges with the aim of fostering impact startups that offer solutions for cities to advance towards more sustainable management. 

Startup selection

Currently, ICLEI Innovation is launching a call for proposals to select innovative teams, startups, products, services, and processes in the field of urban forestry or green spaces that strengthen the management and sustainability of cities, promote green spaces, adopt nature-based solutions, and generate measurable management results for the well-being of municipalities. 

Up to 10 projects will be selected, which can be implemented anywhere in Brazil. The selected startups will undergo a three-month acceleration process aimed at improving the solutions they present, which will... To support innovation and sustainability in local public management that can be replicated on a large scale in Brazilian municipalities. Preference will be given to technological solutions that demonstrate a commitment to the execution of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN's 2030 Agenda.

Applications will be open from July 21st and will continue for four weeks. The National Call for Participants for the Acceleration Program will have a webinar to mark its launch, to be held next Tuesday, July 21st (more information coming soon).

Differential

Within the ecosystem of innovation for sustainability and impact, ICLEI Innovation presents an important differentiator: the ICLEI South America network of cities as a market for testing, executing, and scaling selected projects.

Publicae, on the other hand, works with a private investment model in initiatives and startups, the Government Venture Builder, which focuses on creating environments for regional development with job creation.

“This initiative aims to bring together the innovation agenda and the sustainable urban development agenda. We will bring together the various actors in society, integrating all the dimensions and complexities involved in creating sustainable territories,” explains the executive secretary of ICLEI South America, Rodrigo Perpétuo. “This movement concretizes ICLEI's effort to enter, with greater consistency, the agenda of innovation and sustainable business.”.”

About organisations

O ICLEI – Local Governments for SustainabilityIt is a global network of over 1,750 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in more than 100 countries, the organization influences sustainability policies and drives local action for low-carbon, nature-based, equitable, resilient, and circular development. ICLEI South America connects its more than 80 member governments in eight countries to this global movement. 

A Public is a a joint venture Established between FCJ Venture Builder and Houer Concessions, specialists in startup acceleration and innovation markets.