For more information about the Informed Cities initiative visit http://informed-cities.iclei-europe.org or join us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/InformedCities

1. Fano Guidelines
Building Capacity
for
Local Sustainability
www.iclei-europe.org/localcapacity21

2. Fano Guidelines
DISCUS project
Developing Institutional and Social
Capacities for Urban Sustainability
The Fano Guidelines are based on the
findings of DISCUS project – 2003-2004
www.iclei-europe.org/localcapacity21

3. Fano Guidelines
Key research question of Discus project :
What preconditions need to be fulfilled
before a local sustainability process can
produce tangible results?
The Fano Guidelines outline the factors and
conditions which had been identified as crucial for
building up the capacity within local government
needed for the successful implementation of local
sustainability policies,
Based on research on 40 cities and towns all
over Europe
www.iclei-europe.org/localcapacity21

4. Fano Guidelines
Learning as an organisation
Investment in training on sustainable development for
both officers and politicians builds capacity within
local government.
We keep pace with social and technological
developments in order to make informed decisions
while working towards a sustainable future.
•upgrade officers' abilities in project design, active listening,
negotiation, and other result-orientated approaches.
•training on stakeholder and community participation
techniques and approaches
•Reward commitment
www.iclei-europe.org/localcapacity21

5. Fano Guidelines
Moving away from 'policy silos' within
local government
The complexity of sustainable development requires a
response that combines knowledge from all policy areas,
and utilises the maximum resources available.
We exchange ideas and approaches through cross-
departmental working groups and co-operate across
policy areas on a daily basis to respond to this challenge.
•appoint officers within departments as “ambassadors” for
sustainability integration
•environmental, social and economic criteria in all policies.
•cross-departmental working groups
www.iclei-europe.org/localcapacity21

6. Fano Guidelines
Making alliances with people and
organisations
Business, organisations and individuals are all
sources of influence and knowledge for sustainable
development.
We work in alliance to benefit from their input and
build mutual trust.
•assess stakeholder impact on policy implementation.
•combine formal and informal partnerships
• evaluate partnership outcomes (learning, change)
www.iclei-europe.org/localcapacity21

7. Fano Guidelines
Facilitating the process and
developing credible leadership
Setting an example in sustainability management and
activities builds up trust and credibility within civil
society. Our local government acts as a model for others,
and at the same time as a facilitator of dialogue, bringing
sustainability principles onto the local agenda and
channelling participatory input into political decisions.
•Practice what you preach: sustainability management tools
•Co-ordinate existing bodies and forums for participation
•Be clear and transparent about involvement or participation
www.iclei-europe.org/localcapacity21

8. Fano Guidelines
Encouraging creativity and innovation
in policy-making
Creative people within and outside local government
are key to answering new challenges.
We pilot innovative activities to allow unusual solutions
to be tried and tested.
•test new technologies and methods in pilot projects
•reward new ideas
•learning approach incorporating action research models
•life cycle thinking and management approach
www.iclei-europe.org/localcapacity21

9. Fano Guidelines
Communicating to make a difference
Within a knowledge-based society, communication is
central to raising awareness of the changes in
behaviour that sustainable development demands.
We are open to our citizens’ ideas, and we are active
communicators using targeted channels and tools to
reach out to our community .
•use multi-media and traditional channels
•provide attractive, easy to understand but scient info.
•messages targeted to hearts (values), minds (rational), and
eyes (aesthetics).
•innovative models to understand behavioural change
www.iclei-europe.org/localcapacity21

10. Fano Guidelines
Catalysing action through raising
environmental awareness
Winning people’s interest in sustainable development
issues can be promoted through raising environmental
awareness.
We improve the economic and social performance of our
city by implementing high quality environmental
management schemes and approaches.
•incorporate environ. issues in economic and social policies
•maintain coherence with UN Agenda 21,Aalborg Commitments.
• disseminate successful in a 'triple-bottom line’ practices
• new Env. Management tools
www.iclei-europe.org/localcapacity21

11. Fano Guidelines
Maintaining commitment to achieving
the long-term vision
Action for sustainability needs to be step by step whilst
guided by the long-term vision.
We implement actions that are effective but acceptable,
steadfastly working towards our vision.
•promote or ‘brand’ your city or town as sustainable in order
to help create a high level of identification
•Establish routines, such as a 'sustainability check',
•Periodically celebrate your city or town's vision
www.iclei-europe.org/localcapacity21

12. Fano Guidelines
Sharing experience with peers
Networking with other cities and towns creates a
common cause for the reorientation of local
development.
By demonstrating our progress to others, we receive
recognition and are encouraged to maintain our
ambitious work.
•develop projects in partnerships with other local authorities,
ttake part in pilot projects
•gain recognition making your city the host of national and
international events on sustainability
www.iclei-europe.org/localcapacity21

13. Fano Guidelines
Influencing all levels of government
Working with other levels of government increases the
opportunities for local level considerations to be included
in national legislation and strategies for the promotion of
sustainable development.
We support and are supported by a dialogue on the
framework for local sustainable development.
•link improvements in sustainability at other government levels
•highlight local achievements
•stimulate sustainability mainstreaming in local policies
•Find a critical voice
www.iclei-europe.org/localcapacity21

14. Fano Guidelines
Learning... Communicating...
Moving... Catalysing...
Making... Maintaining...
Facilitating... Sharing...
Encouraging... Influencing...
www.iclei-europe.org/localcapacity21