Introduction

Applications are now open for the UN-Habitat Call for Regional Curators for the Innovatet4Cities (I4C) 2021 Conference. UN-Habitat is jointly hosting the (virtual) Innovate4Cities conference with the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM).  The Conference aims to promote accessible, pioneering, equitable city climate action through supporting, guiding, and sharing city-focused research and innovation, driving partnerships and implementation at the local and neighborhood scale.

Details at a glance

Deadline: 10 May 2021

Conference dates: 11-15 October 2021

Location: Online

About the conference

Being a multi-day global event, the Innovate4Cities Conference will convene more than 1,000 city leaders, scientists, researchers, innovators, scholars, youth, and private sector representatives to promote pragmatic and action-oriented research and science that will enable cities to mitigate their carbon footprint and increase resilience to climate change.

Who will participate in the conference?

National, regional, and local government representatives, urban experts; scholars, academics, and students, civil society groups, non-profit organizations, and entrepreneurs; Private sector companies and investors will be participating in I4C Conference.

What is the “call for curators” purpose?

To make the above-mentioned goal of the conference a reality, the conference organizing committee is seeking curatorial teams around the world working and researching at the intersection of science and practice for the ambitious obtainment of climate goals, to curate program elements that represent regional voices, opportunities, and priority innovation paths and partnerships to the conference.

The regional curator teams will be supporters of the conference for providing the curation program segments at I4C.

Who can apply?

• UN-Habitat and GCoM are looking for regional curator teams consisting of local governments, research institutions/ universities and innovation partners to assist with delivering a program that is diverse, accessible, and representative of city-scale innovation, knowledge and ambition.
• The call for applications is open to the target applicants (curator team) from all regions of the world.

What criteria should the teams meet?

• At least 2, at most 6 local government, research organizations and or organizations representing sectors with knowledge in city climate change science or innovation from a time zone region
• Includes at least ONE research institute/University and ONE local government from within the applicant time zone region
• Proof that the team applying includes or will join forces with other urban stakeholders to be able to provide regional and thematic contextual content to the program and target suitable participants.
• One person to act as the Team lead and contact point with the conference organizer
• All team institutions will be recognized as sponsors, via logo, and lead individual/s can be named as regional curators

Note: there is no financial gain for the curator teams.

How to apply?

Eligible curator teams can apply by submitting an Expression of Interest (EoI) application form online.

Apply HERE

For further information, contact the following addresses:

Steven Bland, Climate Change and Innovation Specialist, Programme Development/ Innovation Unit at steven.bland@un.org

Dr. Cathy Oke, the University of Melbourne at cathy.oke@unimelb.edu.au

Refer to the OFFICIAL LINK to gain more information about the call, conference, benefits, and themes of I4C 2021.