An evaluation of city-to-city learning in the campaign Making Cities Resilient - matching criteria and implementation

Abstract: This thesis evaluates the UNISDR led campaign Making Cities Resilient and specifically investigates how cities are matched within the campaign’s initiative city-to-city learning, which factors that may be conducive for successful partnerships as well as whether the participating cities implements activities in accordance with the rights-based approach. The evaluation is partly based on a literature review as well as primary data stemming from qualitative, semi-structured interviews with representative from UNISDR as well as cities participating in the Campaign. The evaluation on how cities are matched showed that UNISDR does not have any formalized structure or strategy that could guide them in this process and that it, hence, was done in ad hoc ways, including direct contacts between cities without the support of UNISDR. The evaluation further showed that important factors for successful partnerships include having a clear purpose and expectations, be willing to participate and open to share ideas, to have a similar mind-set and to acquire knowledge about the other city’s local context. The analysis of the implementation of activities was done by using indicators of the rights-based approach which builds upon key principles, such as empowerment, participation, equality and non-discrimination as well as accountability. The interviews indicated that the cities to a large extent implemented activities in line with a rights-based approach even though they were not aware of it as a theoretical approach. Further, the thesis supports UNISDR’s own perception that focus now has to be put on elaborating practical advice on the implementation of activities in order to reach the objectives of the Campaign.