In 2020, the global initiative UNDP Ukraine Accelerator Lab and its partners developed the Community Safari© concept. The program engages city residents in searching for innovative nature-based solutions for local communities.

Inspired by this success, UNDP has initiated the project “Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Cities.” The project aims to inform city residents, public authorities, and businesses about urban green solutions. We all have the right to live in a “healthy city,” breathe clean air, and see more green oases from our apartment windows, not just the walls of neighbouring grey skyscrapers. 

The first safari took place in Kyiv in Autumn 2019. Then 5 green solutions were implemented. In 2020, it continued in Lviv and Bila Tserkva, where NBS projects were implemented. In 2021, the winners of the competition within the project implemented small-scale NBS projects in Rivne, Chervonohrad, Myrnohrad and Kropyvnytskyi.

This year, the Community Safari Program has expanded its scope and started working with Home Owning Associations. A composter is installed in one of the HOA and a business plan is developed for further use of compost.

Toolkit:

The Safari methodology, materials and tools are clearly described and documented in an open-source Toolkit, giving organizations the opportunity to run a Safari of their own in their communities.

The Safari Toolkit includes:

• Info Booklet: a short explainer to help you promote the Safari among your colleagues, partners and sponsors;
• Information about nature-based solutions;
• Organizer Guide: general instructions and best practices for organizing a Safari, and for brainstorming ideas;
• Description of the chatbot: information about the first hunter-bot for urban problems;
• Digital Map: instructions on how to create your Safari map;
• Media Package: brand guidelines, logos, poster, social media package, etc;
• Solutions Card Pack: to be used by participants during brainstorming sessions.