About Us
We improve the living conditions for millions of slum dwellers worldwide. We are experts in addressing the diverse challenges in slums and informal settlements.
Our PSUP program focuses on the biggest deprivations for slum communities: the lack of adequate and safe housing conditions, clean water supply, sanitation and secure land tenure. We concentrate on waste management, gender equality and human rights, climate resilience and participation of the local communities in the slum upgrading process.
We engage a wide range of stakeholders in the process of slum upgrading: local communities, national and local governments, financial partners as well as key stakeholders from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community based organizations, private sector and academia.
Meanwhile about 190 cities in 40 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific regions are now investing in strategic, participatory slum upgrading activities and sustainable urbanization.
Our programme was founded in 2008 as a tripartite initiative of the Secretariat of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), the European Commission and UN-Habitat. It is fundamental to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11 for Cities and Communities, and particularly Target 11.1: “By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums”.
One billion people all over the world face the challenges of being excluded from a modern society. This figure is rising fast! If no action is taken, 3 billion people will live in slums by 2030
- We encourage national and local governments to mobilise resources and contribute financially to address structural problems faced by slum dwellers
- We give slum dwellers a voice and equal opportunities as partners, to contribute with ideas and solutions
- We bring multiple stakeholders together and build platforms for cooperation and coordination
- With our expertise, we guide financially-viable, large-scale programmes and projects to improve slums
- We create a progressive change of mindset in the countries we work with, both at community and government levels
- We focus on the most vulnerable groups in slums: especially women, children, youth, and the elderly in terms of their basic needs
- We help to build capacities, create job opportunities and improve the local economy to better people’s livelihoods
- We implement a city-wide approach to integrate slum upgrading with the city`s wider development strategies and plans
- We adopt climate-compatible solutions to build resilience of slum dwellers
Our Principles:
- Integrated and coherent for an enabling policy environment
- People centered and participatory leaving no one behind
- Incremental and affordable for equity in cities
- Climate compatible and environmentally sound for healthier cities
- Evidence-based and strategic for improved coordination and investment
- Participatory and transferable towards prosperity for all
- 5 Million slum dwellers in 190 cities and 40 countries engaged in PSUP
- Over 800,000 slum dwellers with improved tenure security
- 50 National development frameworks
- 32 Evidence-based citywide slum upgrading and prevention strategies
- More than 1,200 local and national governments, NGOs and CBOs engaged in implementation
- About 268,000 women and youth directly engaged through Community Managed Funds
- 94 concept notes for priority projects
- 13 slum neighbourhood community development committees
- 30 Community Managed Funds projects implemented
- Over 500,000 people with improved living conditions
- Learning platforms established including Online Learning (E-Learning)