DEAR READER,
Welcome to the first newsletter of the B&G Project. We took off in February 2022 with the aim to contribute at the social development of local communities in Dakar and Kampala. Environmental and socio-economic policies should be considered the regulating elements of economic growth and preconditions for making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (ref. to SDG 11). In many Region and Countries the vulnerability of local communities is increasing, contradicting resilience and environmental sustainability, but it is also evident that the participation of people and communities in decision-making is very effective to build resilient and inclusive societies. In Senegal and Uganda, small and micro enterprises are already playing a vital role in promoting and implementing economic alternatives that allow for social equity in the economy. The green and blue economy vision remarks the need to improve human well-being and social equity, while reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. The focus is for instance on transport, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, marine and coastal resources, that should be implemented incorporating strategies to address climate mitigation and adaptation. The dialogue between institutions and communities is any case crucial to make societies resilient, to facilitate multi-stakeholder approaches, to be able to respond to economic crises and natural disasters by putting ecosystems, social equity and poverty reduction at the forefront.
