The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Finland joins Cities 4 Women, shaping cities for – and with – women
The government of Finland backs inclusive, safe and climate-resilient urban development across Nepal.
Ahead of International Women’s Day, the Cities 4 Women initiative in Nepal welcomed the government of Finland as a new partner and donor, reinforcing a shared commitment to building safer, more inclusive and more resilient cities for women and girls.
Jointly implemented by UNOPS, Cities Alliance and UN-Habitat, the Cities 4 Women project focuses on inclusive and climate-resilient urbanization in seven municipalities of Nepal as well as sub-metropolitan cities. The overarching strategy is to strengthen institutions with capacity building and tools for transformative, resilient and sustainable urbanization.
"Finland’s support for the Cities 4 Women initiative marks a critical step in ensuring that women’s voices are at the heart of urban planning, expanding our work and driving long-term, sustainable change,” said Komal Karki, UNOPS Country Manager in Nepal.
With a €2 million contribution, Finland joins the European Union in supporting efforts to advance gender-responsive and climate-resilient urban planning in Nepal, expanding the initiative to include two new municipalities – Hetauda and Tilottama.
"We are pleased to support the Cities 4 Women project in a team Europe approach with the EU, advancing inclusive and climate-resilient urban planning in Nepal. While Finland has traditionally focused on rural areas in Nepal, we are now expanding to the urban sector to leverage Finnish expertise and explore new linkages, including potential opportunities for other Finnish instruments,” said Sara Alanen, Head of Cooperation, Embassy of Finland.
Finland’s support places a strong focus on strengthening climate resilience, improving accessibility for people with disabilities and other minorities as well as creating economic opportunities for women. This commitment is reflected in the initiative’s approach, which includes revitalizing public spaces and improving market areas and ensuring cities are designed to meet the diverse needs of all residents.
Women’s participation in designing safe public spaces is key to building more resilient and inclusive cities and this initiative strengthens synergies with other Finnish-funded efforts for sustainable development.
Through this partnership, Finland will support the integration of gender perspectives into urban planning, enhance public open spaces and ensure urban environments are safer and more accessible for all. The inclusion of Hetauda and Tilottama also represents a significant milestone in the government of Nepal's efforts to scale up gender-responsive and climate-resilient urban planning initiatives across all the municipalities of the country – towards cities where women can safely move, work and thrive.
