About the Report
The report was conducted by Ramboll Management under the supervision of the UIA Permanent Secretariat (UIA PS) with the goal of undertaking a knowledge capitalization activity on the innovative financial schemes that played a key role in the projects carried out by beneficiary cities during the 2014-2020 programming period. The study included an in-depth analysis of materials from all 86 UIA projects, uncovering 37 innovative financial schemes across different initiatives, which resulted in the identification of 10 distinct types of innovative financial schemes.
Key Insights from the Analysis
One notable example of an innovative financial scheme presented during the meeting was the use of virtual currencies in the “Antwerp Circular South” project by the City of Antwerp. This project introduced a digital currency called Circules, which is based on a blockchain-based reward and exchange system. Residents could earn Circules by completing individual and group challenges that promoted sustainable behaviours, such as reducing waste, water, and energy consumption. The digital currency could be used at various City of Antwerp facilities and exchanged for services or reinvested into the reward system.
Another compelling case is the “Social Impact Credit Scheme", an innovative financing model that rewards actions or investments yielding positive social or environmental outcomes. The City of Rotterdam, for instance, developed a ‘social coin’ called Rikx (Rotterdam Impact Keys) to fund initiatives helping individuals secure employment after education. This scheme allows businesses to "purchase" social impact by funding social entrepreneurs and supporting them in fulfilling social return obligations. When an organization or social enterprise creates measurable impact, such as improving youth employment prospects, that impact can be valued and sold on the marketplace.
To tackle challenges in financing green infrastructure, cities should leverage community-based partnerships, alternative currencies, and business planning. Engaging local stakeholders to share responsibilities and benefits is crucial.
Watch the webinar to Discover More
To learn more about other interesting examples of innovative financing solutions and key recommendations provided by the experts of the inception report, watch the full video :
The final report, including 11 case studies, recommendations, and guidelines for cities, will be published in January. Additional events will be organized to continue the discussions and share actionable insights.
Stay tuned for further updates!
