THE COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the focus of local governments, from developing urban areas sustainably to development of proper responses on COVID-19, prevention method, and recovery plan afterwards. At the same time, local governments are also catching up with time to meet the deadline of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UCLG ASPAC has supported member cities through various ways, such as dissemination of relevant local innovations, production of quick guide for local governments, and web-share discussions that refresh the commitment of cities to SDGs localisation. Facing this pandemic, city of Pangkalpinang and Pariaman, two cities that benefitted from UCLG ASPAC LOCALISE SDGs programme, shared their innovations to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases which at the same time contributes to the achievement of short-term targets of SDGs.
Pangkalpinang
As the capital city of Bangka Belitung Province, Pangkalpinang has launched a fundraising programme to provide 35,000 food packages to affected community groups (such as informal workers, small scale entrepreneurs). Women participation is promoted through the “Back to Classic Culinary Menu of Pangkalpinang programme” by Ms. Monica Haprinda, the First Lady of Pangkalpinang. She encourages emergence of small local culinary businesses and women who prepare the food menu to utilise local ingredients. Students, while studying from home, are also encouraged to participate in the face mask competition. Mayor Maulana Aklil of Pangkalpinang, in his presentation at UCLG ASPAC Web-Share, mentioned that the city’s programme related to post-COVID-19 economic recovery contributes to the achievement of Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).
Pariaman
City of Pariaman launched an innovation called Satu Rumah Satu Kolam (one house, one pond) programme to ensure proper protein intake for the whole family. The city has also applied strategies such as distribution of seeds for farmers, development of agricultural and fisheries superior seeds, and community empowerment to enable them to farm on their own land through Pekarangan Pangan Lestari (sustainable gardening) programme. From the innovations, city of Pariaman has been able to meet the needs of its population (88,501 people), and even gain surplus for the rice supply. In his presentation at the Live Learning Session organised by UCLG, the Mayor of Pariaman also stated that although the large-scale social restrictions was applied, city of Pariaman guaranteed that food security is maintained. In the field of education, city of Pariaman cooperates with local financial institution (Bank Nagari) to provide scholarships and ensure at least one family member graduates from higher level education through Satu Keluarga Satu Sarjana/SAGA SAJA (one family, one scholar) programme. These programmes overcome challenges faced by communities and contributes to the SDGs attainment, particularly Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), and Goal 4 (Quality Education).
LOCALISE SDGs stands for Leadership Ownership and Capabilities for Agenda 2030 Local Implementation and Stakeholder Engagement. It is a joint-programme of UCLG ASPAC and Association of the Indonesia Municipalities, with funding support from the European Union (EU). LOCALISE SDGs programme assists local governments of 16 provinces and 14 cities in Indonesia to implement SDGs at local level. More information is available on their website https://localisesdgs-indonesia.org.
Source:
- Mayor of Pariaman City, Genius Umar, presentation on UCLG ASPAC Web-Share #11, 25 June 2020
- Mayor of Pangkal Pinang City, Maulana Aklil, presentation on UCLG ASPAC Web-Share #11, 25 June 2020
