INTRODUCTION
The Cities Forward program, a collaborative partnership of the U.S. Department of State, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, Resilient Cities Catalyst, and The Institute of the Americas, provides peer-to-peer exchange, capacity building, and diplomatic engagement to address critical urban challenges in sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience.
This initiative supports 12 cities across Latin America and the Caribbean, equipping them to implement scalable, high-impact solutions tailored to their unique priorities.
Central to the program is a focus on climate adaptation and environmental restoration. Cities are implementing solutions like green corridors, reforestation, and sustainable water management systems to mitigate flooding, urban heat islands, and deforestation. These interventions not only enhance ecological resilience but also prepare cities for the challenges of a changing climate.
The program also emphasizes community-centered development and economic opportunity. By involving local stakeholders in project design and execution, Cities Forward ensures initiatives are inclusive and responsive to residents' needs. Efforts such as urban farming, workforce training, and public space revitalization foster local economic growth, promote equity, and strengthen social cohesion.
From the Amazon basin in Brazil to coastal communities in the Caribbean and urban centers in Mexico and Central America, Cities Forward represents a collective commitment to sustainability and resilience. This program offers funders the opportunity to support transformative projects that deliver measurable impact, promote regional collaboration, and contribute to global climate goals.
City Projects
Photo credits: Flickr users Maximiliano Dobladez, Reg Natarajan, Mary78, Nikolas Moya, h0ran, Rene Hernández, Comisión Mexicana de Filmaciones, Chris Parker, Travel4Brews, Günter Hentschel, Robert Cutts, Stephen Downes