Our starting point
What if we dared to believe in the power of cities to generate health, the wisdom of youth to reimagine futures, and the infrastructure of hope as the foundation and catalyst for urban transformation?
Mission
To reduce urban health and climate risks by mobilising data-informed action, generating actionable research and cultivating futures-oriented skills, leadership and coalitions so cities are health-promoting and climate-resilient by design.
What we do
We provide the civic (digital+social) and intellectual infrastructure that catalyses youth-centred, evidence-informed, community-led action for healthier and more climate-resilient cities.
We work across the urban places that determine exposure to air pollution, heat, mobility barriers and other health–climate risks.
Our ecosystem comprises two interconnected divisions – Cityzens and the Academy – whose combined work creates a scalable Africa-led Global model showing how cities can become healthier, more climate-resilient and more “hope-full”.
CIVIC INFRASTRUCTURE
An Africa-led global movement of youth-centred citizen science and civic action supported by digital and social infrastructure.
Organised as a network of Cityzens Hubs, the movement uses wearable sensors, the Cityzens app, data visualisation and community mobilisation tools to generate hyperlocal evidence on health–climate risks such as air quality, heat and walkability.
Cityzens turn lived experience into evidence that directs action, strengthens planning and enables what we call precision advocacy – targeted, evidence-informed engagement that advances healthier, more climate-resilient urban environments and equips young people to lead transformative change in their cities.
INTELLECTUAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Dedicated to supporting cities across Africa, the Academy works with Cityzens Hubs and municipal partners to co-produce actionable research and build skills that cultivate agency while equipping young people with the future-oriented competencies and pathways needed for emerging urban and climate-related livelihoods. It connects African cities with diaspora and regional expertise and develops the coalitions required for healthier, climate-resilient African urban futures.
The 10 points below distil the rationale and model outlined in the report.
