Athens and Thessaloniki Become Members of “100 Resilient Cities” Network of Rockefeller Foundation

Athens, Monastiraki. © Facebook – ΟΙ ΟΜΟΡΦΙΕΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΑΣ ΜΑΣ

Greece’s Athens and Thessaloniki are included in the second group of cities selected to join 100 Resilient Cities – cities that have demonstrated a commitment to building their own capacities to navigate the shocks and stresses of an increasingly complex 21st Century. The first 33 inaugural cities were named in May last year.

The 100 Resilient Cities (100RC)  network is an initiative pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation and is dedicated to helping cities around the world become more resilient to the physical, social and economic challenges that are a growing part of the 21st century.

Thessaloniki

Out of 331 applicants, Athens and Thessaloniki are two of 100 cities chosen and among the second 35 inaugural cities to be named. Each city was asked to present a clear and compelling description of their major resilience challenges, how they are approaching and planning for resilience to decrease vulnerabilities, and how they plan to partner with the Rockefeller Foundation.

Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis

“The Municipality of Athens has been rewarded with its inclusion in the 100 Resilient Cities network because of the Greek capital’s urban improvement plan prepared by the municipal authority and the initiatives of social innovation and entrepreneurship,” Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis said in an announcement on 3 December.

Now as 100RC members, Athens and Thesslaoniki will be provided with the resources necessary to develop a roadmap to resilience along four main pathways:

– Financial and logistical guidance for establishing an innovative new position in city government, a Chief Resilience Officer, who will lead the city’s resilience efforts;
– Expert support for development of a robust resilience strategy;
– Access to solutions, service providers, and partners from the private, public and NGO sectors who can help them develop and implement their resilience strategies; and
– Membership of a global network of member cities who can learn from and help each other.

100 Resilient Cities is financially supported by The Rockefeller Foundation and managed as a sponsored project by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA), an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides governance and operational infrastructure to its sponsored projects.