In the frame of the annual support offered by the Municipality of Barcelona to MedCities network, the project COHESIMED was recently approved for funding in order to reinforce socio-economic cohesion policies and actions in Mediterranean Municipalities.

In the case of Saida, the project will develop a Strategy for the branding and promotion of Urban Sustainable Tourism in the Old city. The small town of Old Saida is the historic core of Saida and one of the richest historic cities worldwide, with layers of civilizations’ settlements as from 6.000 years from now, however, it is currently facing multiple socio-economic challenges. The touristic promotion of the Old city, will contribute to improving living conditions for its inhabitants and secure livelihoods for the handicraft sector who is active there. Through the strategy, the municipality wishes to strategize touristic promotion, draw comprehensive touristic measures, develop a touristic brand, and support it through the identification – and implementation of a number of -targeted projects.

In the case of Tetouan, the intervention will focus on one of the priorities set by its Urban Development Plan 2011-2016, on « reinforcing the security of citizens, taking into account the gender dimension », by tackling the issue of women insecurity in public spaces, a factor the hinders and limits women’s access to basic services, such as markets or health centers, reduces their quality of life levels and contributes to their marginalization from public, social and economic life. The project will work in a concrete neighbourhood on a participatory spatial identification of insecurity factors, with women and relevant associations, and on elaborating a municipal plan to tackle them. Furthermore, in order to promote security, the project will mobilise local establishments as safe spaces, through the network of allies for a safe neighbourhood.

Both projects, will have a strong component of exchange of experiences with the Municipality of Barcelona, by mobilising relevant municipal directions or public-private organisations such as the Barcelona Tourism Board, in study visits.