The Rockefeller Foundation- which supports work that expands opportunity and strengthens resilience to social, economic, health and environmental challenges — has now announced the application process for its 100 Resilient Cities Centennial Challenge that officially opened to cities worldwide.
The challenge is part of the foundation’s $100 million commitment to building urban resilience in cities around the world. Over the next three years, the foundation will select 100 cities to become a part of a 100 Resilient Cities Network, and provide them with access to the technical expertise and resources needed to create and implement resilience strategies on a city-wide scale.
“With 75 percent of people expected to live in cities by 2050, it is more important than ever that these urban centers are able to withstand shocks and stresses — natural, climate-driven and man-made — and bounce back more quickly. The Rockefeller Foundation has been on the front lines of urban resilience for nearly a decade, and we look forward to applying our expertise and investment to help more cities weather and emerge stronger from the challenges of our 21st century world,” said foundation president Judith Rodin.
Cities will be judged on a range of criteria, including how well they will address the specific needs of poor or vulnerable people inside their municipality. Selected cities will receive membership in the 100 Resilient Cities Network which will provide support to member cities and share new knowledge and resilience best practices; support to hire or fund a Chief Resilience Officer (CRO) in their city to oversee the development of a resilience strategy and be part of a learning network of other CROs and support to create a resilience plan, along with tools and resources for implementation.
“Building resilience is neither a top-down nor a ground-up process – it requires collaboration and leadership at all levels of governments and across every sector. Through this challenge, the foundation will make it possible for cities to develop resilience plans that respond to each city’s individual geographies, demographics and needs, as well as provide the resources to hire a Chief Resilience Officer responsible for coordinating the different stakeholders and ensuring resilience remains a priority,” said Michael Berkowitz, incoming Managing Director for the 100 Resilient Cities Centennial Challenge.
To apply, municipal, government leaders and major institutions can submit an application on behalf of their city. All entrants will be required to submit a letter of support from the senior-most representative of their city’s government, whether elected or appointed. Only one entry from each city will be eligible for consideration in the challenge. The deadline for registering for the challenge is September 23.