Change starts with each individual. The name Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme already suggests how strongly the participatory approach shapes our work. People and their needs are our priority, and PSUP involves all stakeholders: authorities, communities, private sector and a broad range of urban practitioners are all partners in the slum upgrading process. We encourage specifically slum dwellers to participate in our project, since no one knows better than the neighbourhoods’ residents what it is lacking. Our experience has shown that people in slums are willing to take over if they feel ownership of the projects. PSUP involves them in the decision-making process and the design, implementation, monitoring and follow-up of the upgrading initiatives. Slum dwellers benefit from investments for technical training whilst contributing their knowledge, work and resources. In this way, not only is change structurally happening in the slum, but the mind-sets of its inhabitants also changes towards empowerment. In other words, PSUP is pushing a development process.
Encourage participation and involve all stakeholders - falls under these SDGs:
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. All countries and stakeholders, acting in collaborative partnership, are starting to implement this plan. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets demonstrate the scale and ambition of this Agenda, which balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental.
End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
Through technical support we help the communities form their own assemblies, which represent all groups of the society in the decision-making process including men, women and youth.
We combine slum upgrading with employment and income generation through Community Managed Funds, involving PSUP-funded action groups that take on certain tasks in the community to generate income.
We develop digital peer learning platforms, where stakeholders, especially slum dwellers themselves, share knowledge on slum upgrading with others. A main priority is the dwellers in order to facilitate information and experience exchange as well as peer learning opportunities.
We engage local and national governments. They have a leading role to play in improving slums and can provide the enabling environment to develop and implement the appropriate policies and plans to trigger change for, and in partnership, with slum dwellers.