Nairobi, 16 September 2021 – UN-Habitat and its partners have opened the registration process for the five-day, hybrid, Shelter Academy training that will increase knowledge and improve responses to issues related to Urban Resilience in a context of Climate Change.

The Shelter Academy is an annual event, now in its 11th year, run in partnership by Arcadis, a leading natural and built asset design and consultancy firm, and UN-Habitat. The Academy will provide leading cities from around the world with balanced approaches to realizing the goal of sustainable development by sharing expertise and know-how through South–South and North–South exchange.

By focusing on the needs of senior local government officials and political leaders, the Academy will seek to impart knowledge and understanding of key trends – as well as the tools and solutions needed for responding effectively to urban challenges – while supporting practical development measures that address the needs urban citizens.

Given the COIVD-19 restrictions, the training will be held in two separate segments. Part 1, to be held 23-24 November 2021 will be held digitally from 13:00–16:00 CET. Part 2 will be a three-day in person meeting in the Netherlands on the 6-8 April 2020. Participation arrangements might change, depending on the situation with the pandemic.

Drawing from the workshops, case studies, field trips to key sites in the Netherlands, participants will receive support in the formulation, development, and follow-up of action plans for their respective cities. The workshop will be enhanced by the participation of experts from Arcadis, UN-Habitat, Dutch municipalities as well as academics.

UN-Habitat partners, decision-makers, senior managers, and senior government officials are invited to complete the Application form online, no later than Friday 8 October 2021. Special attention will be paid to gender balance, geographic and position diversity.

Participation in the digital session in November is a prerequisite for participation in the live edition.

Arcadis will cover the costs associated with the participation at the Shelter Academy in-person participation in the Netherlands. This includes: the return ticket flight to Amsterdam, accommodation and meals from 5 April to 9 April 2022, as well as lectures, site visits and local transport.

A total of 10 participants will be selected to attend the 2021 Shelter Academy with full sponsorship.

Some additional seats may be open to non-sponsored participants such as participants who will pay for their own return flight to Amsterdam and their accommodation. Arcadis will cover the cost of the local transport and of the programme.

For a limited number of participants who cannot fund the air tickets, sponsorship for international travel and accommodation is available on a case-by-case basis and upon recommendation of UN-Habitat. Please note that the selection is competitive for the limited number of sponsorships.

For further information on the programme and registration information, please consult the Shelter Academy Brochure or contact Ms. Mariana Lessa Voita at mariana.voita@un.org.