| |  | International Community of Practice for Sustainable Municipal Development | NEWSLETTER – ISSUE NO. 98, September 2026 |  | Dear Readers, “It’s the economy, stupid!” is a somewhat blunt and much-quoted statement by James Carville, which he himself now regrets having made in such a simplified form. This statement can be expanded to cover many aspects of sustainability, for example: “It’s nature and the economy, stupid!”. Climate-resilient and liveable communities attract investment, and a thriving economy creates the financial scope for climate adaptation measures. In this issue of our newsletter, we explore the interplay between the local economy and nature through concrete examples and discussions with experts. We take a look at how the Bukamoso Business Centre in Windhoek, Namibia, has evolved from a business incubator into a local hub for young people to start their own businesses. We also demonstrate how local authorities are developing and implementing innovative solutions to strengthen their climate resilience as part of the ‘Nature at the Heart of Municipal Resilience’ learning process. Also, we would like to cordially invite you to our upcoming “Deep Dive”, where for the next one and a half years, we will be looking at how the economies of municipalities can be strengthened to be globally competitive. Through this extended learning process, municipalities around the world will be put together to pilot concrete project ideas. We will keep you updated on how our colleagues in the MENA region, particularly in Egypt, are making their local communities more resilient and liveable by creating green corridors.
We would also like to invite you to take part in our Inside Session, ‘Bringing Nature Back into Bhutan’s Urban Future’, which explores Bhutan’s innovative approach to combining biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, well-being, and sustainable tourism. If you are able to attend the German-Ukrainian Municipal Partnership Conference, we would be delighted to welcome you to our panel discussion, ‘When Facts Come Under Pressure: Strengthening Municipalities Against Disinformation’. We wish you an inspiring read.
Your Connective Cities Team
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| INSIGHTS |  | | | The Bokamoso Entrepreneurial Centre in Windhoek |
| A Hub for Entrepreuners, Local Economic Development and Community Empowerment |
| The Bokamoso Entrepreneurial Centre supports small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly start-ups founded by young people. Over the past 16 years, it has supported an estimated 1,200 young people aged 18–35 in their entrepreneurial activities. Originally functioning as a business incubator, it provided SMEs with basic infrastructure. It then added training, business development support and other capacity-building measures to promote sustainable business growth. The centre is currently exploring its future strategic direction and undergoing an organisational development process, which is being supported by its twin city in Germany, Bremen. | | |  | | | Nature at the Heart of Municipal Resilience: Paving the Way Forward |
| From urban parks and street trees to mangrove restoration
and nature-based enterprises |
| The Connective Cities learning process “Nature at the Heart of Municipal Resilience” continues to bring municipalities from across Sub-Saharan Africa together to exchange experiences and develop locally adapted solutions. Following previous exchanges, participating municipalities are now refining their reform measures through online sessions and expert support, preparing them for the next stage of the learning process. The next milestone will bring participants together in Kigali, where municipalities will share their progress and further develop their measures towards implementation. | | OUTLOOK |  | | | Call for Participation: Strengthening Local Economies – Globally Competitive, Profitable and Fit for the Future |
| How can municipalities strengthen their local economies in times of global uncertainty, structural change and rapid technological transformation? |
| Rising energy costs, changing supply chains, climate impacts and new technologies are reshaping local economies worldwide. At the same time, new markets, innovative technologies and new forms of cooperation offer municipalities significant opportunities to strengthen their economic base, attract investment and create new prospects for businesses and employment. Connective Cities invites municipalities and other local economic development actors to join the new international Deep Dive. Over approximately 1.5 years, participating municipalities will exchange experiences internationally, analyse their local economic structures, challenges and opportunities, and develop concrete strategies, partnerships and local projects for more resilient, innovative and future-oriented local economies. Join in! The deadline for submitting expressions of interest is 31 October 2026. | | |  | | | Green Corridors Learning Process: From Exchange to Implementation |
| How can municipalities translate the concept of green corridors into practical
and locally adapted solutions? |
| Green corridors can help to mitigate heat, improve the urban climate and biodiversity, and optimise rainwater management. Furthermore, they can reduce traffic and noise pollution. At the same time, they create attractive walking and cycling routes between neighbourhoods, public spaces and key everyday destinations. In this way, they promote sustainable mobility, accessibility and quality of life. In this way, green corridors combine climate resilience and environmental sustainability with healthier, better-connected and more liveable communities.
On 28 and 29 September, the focus will be on local authorities in Egypt, who will meet in person in Cairo, while their peers and experts from the region will participate online. | | |  | | | When Facts Come Under Pressure: Strengthening Municipalities Against Disinformation |
| How can municipalities effectively counter disinformation, build trust and communicate reliably, even in times of crisis? |
| Disinformation and polarising narratives are posing increasing challenges for municipalities. False information can undermine trust in local institutions, intensify social tensions and spread rapidly, particularly in times of crisis. It is therefore all the more important for municipalities to be prepared and able to communicate quickly, credibly and effectively. These questions will be the focus of the Connective Cities expert forum on 8 October 2026, from 2.00 to 4.30 pm in Berlin, as part of the 8th German-Ukrainian Municipal Partnership Conference. Come and join the discussion! | | |  | | | Insight Session: Bringing Nature Back into Bhutan’s Urban Future |
| How can municipalities grow while not only protecting nature, but actively helping to regenerate it? |
| In this virtual Insight Session, the Bhutan Ecological Society (BES) will demonstrate how nature-based solutions and eco-regenerative development can create greener, healthier, more climate-resilient urban spaces. The event will showcase concrete, innovative approaches from Bhutan and demonstrate how biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, green-blue infrastructure, recreation and local development can be integrated into urban planning. Particular focus will be placed on the planned Eco-Regenerative Park in Rinchending, Phuentsholing. The park aims to combine biodiversity conservation, green spaces, nature education, sustainable recreational activities, wellness, regenerative tourism, and benefits for the local population. The event will take place on 22 October 2026 from 10:00 to 11:00 (CEST). Be inspired! | | | | |  | | |
| |  | | Engagement Global gGmbH
Service Agency Communities in One World
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 40, 53113 Bonn | Deutschland
Contact: Sibylle Loyeau
Email: sibylle.loyeau@engagement-global.de Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 32 + 36, 53113 Bonn | Deutschland
Contact: Ricarda Meissner
Email: ricarda.meissner@giz.de |
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