Support to the preparation and structuring of the African Smart Towns Network (ASToN) project
Context
Digital is one of the eight priority areas of AFD's Strategic Orientation Plan. In spring 2018, AFD and the Secretariat of the European URBACT program have wanted to create an operational network of African cities on digital issues: African Smart Towns Network (ASToN).
The ASToN project aims to support the digital transition of African local authorities by creating a network of cities based on the methodology of the European URBACT programme, which promotes exchanges, peer learning and cooperation between cities within thematic networks.
The creation of this network aims to put new technologies at the service of cities, particularly around the issues of urban services’ and territories’ sustainability, modernization of municipal public action, local economic development and social inclusion. ASToN's activities are structured around sectoral challenges and issues specific that cities which n to address through ASToN (e-governance, risk management, local public finance, transport, precarious neighbourhoods, urban lighting, etc.).
Envisaged as a capacity building network for the digital transition, ASToN's activities include local meetings, training and capacity building activities by experts, exchange workshops between network cities, and the development of local action plans.
Objective
Espelia supported AFD and URBACT in structuring the network by accompanying the call for applications from cities and adapting the URBACT approach to the contexts of African cities in order to define the network's operating mode and URBACT's management, steering and coordination needs.
Our contribution
We have therefore carried out the following activities alongside AFD and URBACT:
- Definition and structuring of the programme
- Preparation of the cities' call for applications and the evaluation grid
- Follow-up of the call for applications
- Adaptation of the URBACT methodology to the context of the ASToN network based on a capitalisation workshop, interviews and two field missions
- Conditions for the implementation of the Programme
- Definition of the network's operating mode - institutional and financial architecture, network budget, timetable
- Prefiguration of the project management unit - definition of tasks and preparation of job descriptions, assessment of operating costs and recruitment procedures
The mission led to the establishment of the ASToN network, which now includes 11 cities (Bizerte, Benguerir, Nouakchott, Bamako, Kumasi, Sèmè Podji, Lagos, Niamey, Kampala, Kigali and Matola) and works to make urban centres more sustainable and inclusive.
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Espelia supports local authorities, public stakeholders and their partners in the design, management and transformation of local public policies. A consulting firm committed to serving the public interest, Espelia mobilises strategic, legal, financial and operational expertise to help territories build sustainable and resilient solutions.
