Kochi has got selected in the first round of Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge, a 3 year initiative launched by Ministry of Housing and Urban affairs, in collaboration with Bernard van Leer Foundation with the technical support of WRI India.
Cochin Smart Mission Limited is spear-heading the activities of the Challenge in the city. Challenge envisions shaping cities for young children and their families. The project encourages visionaries to experience city at a height of 95 cm which is a 3-year old’s average height to better understand the specific needs of young children and caregivers from the cities. Projects are identified around public spaces, anganwadis, streets and other early child facilities.
The challenge guidelines suggest to test the projects on pilot basis on locations frequented by young children. Eraveli colony in Fort Kochi has been selected as the pilot neighbourhood for this phase. Various events and community engagement activities are also being planned to make the process more participatory and inclusive.
