June 15, 2023, Brazil. Representatives from Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Serra Talhada have successfully concluded a series of seven virtual training sessions funded by the European Union. These sessions covered various aspects of climate financing, including mechanisms and instruments, project development, indicator mobilization, and project expansion. A face-to-face meeting also happened at the II National Meeting of ICLEI Brazil in Palmas on June 6, where these cities had the opportunity to showcase their projects.
Throughout the training period, which began in March 2023, the cities of Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Serra Talhada, and Rio de Janeiro developed project proposals for submission to international financing. They received support from the ICLEI Green Finance technical team, ICLEI Senior Fellow Alessandra Peres, and mentors from various financial institutions.
The projects developed by the cities in the first phase of the initiative covered different themes: Belo Horizonte focused on waste management and urban planning; Rio de Janeiro chose climate governance and budget planning; Salvador emphasized health and green buildings; and Serra Talhada addressed nature-based solutions.
In addition to the training, the mayors received seven mentorship sessions totaling about ten hours of exchange between experts and mayors to enhance their projects. Some of the participating institutions included the Cities Climate Finance Leadership Alliance (CCFLA), the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), the Global Cities Development Fund (FMDV), the Brazilian Development Association (ABDE), and the German Agency for International Cooperation.
This first training cycle is part of the Emblematic Cities initiative, funded by the European Union through its “Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy” project, implemented with the support of ICLEI South America.
Following the completion of the first cycle, consisting of the four Emblematic Brazilian Cities, the second cycle began in June, comprising the cities of Godoy Cruz (Argentina), La Unión (Costa Rica), Peñalolén and Independencia (Chile), and Jesús María (Peru). The third cycle is scheduled for October and will include Paraná (Argentina), Santiago (Chile), Cartagena de Indias (Colombia), Quito (Ecuador), Zapopan, and Mexico City (Mexico).
Emblematic Cities of the Global Covenant of Mayors – Latin America
With funding from the European Union, the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM – Americas) has selected fifteen cities for the Emblematic Cities group in Latin America. These cities were chosen for their climate trajectory, and over a year, their staff will have the opportunity to participate in a series of training sessions and mentorships to advance in the preparation, financing processes, and implementation of their local climate action projects.
The initiative’s main objective is to ensure that all participating cities can develop their local projects during the training, receiving personalized feedback in each session and progressing week by week to present these initiatives to financing institutions or technical assistance.
During each stage, participants can access key concepts on climate financing and developing financially viable projects. Additionally, technical teams in major cities can participate in a mentoring program with a group of institutions and international organizations recognized for their work in the field of financing.
Global Covenant of Mayors – Latin America
GCoM is the largest global alliance of cities and municipalities leading the fight against climate change, supported by municipal networks and other vital actors in subnational climate action. It has over 12,700 engaged cities in over 140 countries worldwide, representing more than 11% of the world’s population.
In Latin America, GCoM is funded by the European Union’s Partnership Instrument and involves more than 650 cities from 17 countries.
For more information:
Press & Communication
Alexandra Cortés, Communication [email protected]
Ébida Santos, Communication [email protected]
Technical Aspects
Belén Jiménez, Technical Consultant [email protected]
