The Safe and Sound Cities programme (S2Cities), managed by the Global Infrastructure Basel Foundation (GIB), seeks to recruit a Global Convening Support Partner to help organise a Global Convening in Quarter 2 of 2027 (preferably April 2027) using innovative approaches that are accessible for diverse attendees and applicable across multiple countries and languages. The Global Convening will highlight youth voices, contribute to strategic advocacy, and convene members of the S²Cities Global Learning Network (GLN).
Since its launch in 2021, S2Cities has engaged +10,800 young people and enabled the implementation of 28 youth-led public space initiatives tackling various urban challenges affecting youth safety and wellbeing. The programme incorporates local youth engagement and innovation processes, structured research and learning components, and a Global Learning Network (GLN) — a global network of stakeholders dedicated specifically to advancing safer, resilient, and inclusive cities through meaningful youth participation.
Driving the momentum forward, the Global Convening is meant to showcase and share best practices and practical tools for creating youth-friendly cities which have emerged from the programme, empower young people and practitioners to share their impact stories, and facilitate cross-sectoral collaboration. The event will bring together young people, city governments, and a meaningful selection of other stakeholders like urban practitioners, public and private sector actors, and academics, and provide a platform for them to exchange learning and practical strategies for effective urban impact, while offering networking opportunities across sectors, disciplines, and cities. The convening also inspires stakeholders to join and remain engaged in the topic of urban youth safety and the S²Cities programme.
2027’s Global Convening event will aim to build on the successes of 2023’s edition to convene key programme partners and young people, further promote youth-oriented advocacy, generate learning exchange, bring value to the Global Learning Network, and attract new funding streams including engaging private sector actors, by connecting stakeholders over multiple in-person and digital formats / components.
The selected partner organisation will play a central role in:
- Co-developing a suitable format / approach for the 2027 Global Convening which meets the intended objectives (including in-person convening components as well as the scope of VR and digital formats).
- Leading all event management logistics including procurement of necessary venues and materials (including managing attendees, procuring necessary venues and materials, coordinating travel arrangements of attendees, etc.).
- Being fully present and available during the event to support GIB on all logistical and technical needs.
- Helping in the documentation of learnings and highlights on behalf of GIB and the S²Cities Programme in alignment with the programme’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework.
- Working with the S2Cities Global Youth Advocacy Partner, to develop strategies to activate and expand the S²Cities Global Learning Network (GLN) as a dynamic platform for amplifying youth perspectives and fostering cross-city exchange.
Working closely with GIB, local and global partners of the S2Cities programme, and young people across participating cities, the Global Convening Support Partner is expected to gather input, connect with key local actors and platforms, and design and deliver a dynamic global event.
Organisations can apply to this opportunity by sending one proposal (1-3 pages) per suggested event format / approach along with one financial proposal per format / approach with an indicative total budget in CHF for all foreseen expenses.
Email the proposal as a Word document or a PDF to Emily Simpson (emily.simpson@gib-foundation.org) with the subject line – ‘Submission Global Convening Support Partner S2Cities, Name of Organisation’.
For a more detailed look at the scope of work and submission guidelines for this opportunity, please refer to this document: Global Convening Support Partner RFP
Key Dates:
- Live Information and Q&A session for applicants: 13 May at 10:00 am (CET) [Click to register and join] and 15:00 pm (CET) [Click to register and join]
- Proposal Deadline: 31 May 2026, 23:59 pm (CET)
- Interviews of pre-selected proposals: 4 June – 9 June 2026
- Start date: 1 July 2026
