Background
Background
BCRUP was launched by the Government of Kenya on behalf of the global community during the UN Climate Action Summit in New York (2019) in response to the escalating global climate crisis. The initiative sits under the Infrastructure, Cities and Local Action (ICLA) track of the UN climate agenda. In response to growing urban vulnerability under the Infrastructure, Cities and Local Action (ICLA) agenda, Building Climate Resilience with the Urban Poor (BCRUP) was initiated as a key solution to address climate risks facing cities and informal settlements.
Following this recognition, Kenya was requested by the United Nations to lead the formulation of BCRUP, working closely with UN-Habitat, which was mandated to provide technical support to the Government of Kenya throughout the development process. As the initiative evolved, Brazil joined the effort, mobilizing support across Latin America, where urban communities face similar climate vulnerability challenges. This inclusive and collaborative process brought together global, regional, and local partners, culminating in the official launch of BCRUP in New York in 2019.
Background
BCRUP was launched by the Government of Kenya on behalf of the global community during the UN Climate Action Summit in New York (2019) in response to the escalating global climate crisis. The initiative sits under the Infrastructure, Cities and Local Action (ICLA) track of the UN climate agenda.
In response to growing urban vulnerability under the Infrastructure, Cities and Local Action (ICLA) agenda, Building Climate Resilience with the Urban Poor (BCRUP) was initiated as a key solution to address climate risks facing cities and informal settlements.
Following this recognition, Kenya was requested by the United Nations to lead the formulation of BCRUP, working closely with UN-Habitat, which was mandated to provide technical support to the Government of Kenya throughout the development process.
As the initiative evolved, Brazil joined the effort, mobilizing support across Latin America, where urban communities face similar climate vulnerability challenges. This inclusive and collaborative process brought together global, regional, and local partners, culminating in the official launch of BCRUP in New York in 2019.
Our Journey
In early 2026, BCRUP convened regional readiness and validation workshops in Naivasha and Addis Ababa, bringing together representatives from 20 African pilot countries to finalize frameworks, confirm financing pathways, and prepare for full-scale implementation.
BCRUP advanced into financing readiness with the submission of a regional readiness concept note for African pilot countries in January 2025.
Brazil launched the Green Resilient Model Cities Programme, while later in the year, Kenya and Brazil co-hosted a high-level BCRUP dialogue at COP30 in Belém, strengthening South-South cooperation and mobilizing global climate finance support for urban resilience.
A continental technical workshop was held in Naivasha, Kenya, bringing together governments and partners to refine operational frameworks and pilot readiness activities.
BCRUP was integrated as a flagship programme for African cities during the inaugural African Urban Forum (AUF) and received high-level mobilization support at the World Urban Forum (WUF12) in Cairo and COP29 in Baku.
BCRUP transitioned from concept to a formal programme at the UN-Habitat General Assembly, attracting new partners including the Commonwealth and African Development Bank-aligned networks to support policy advocacy and climate finance access.
Key milestones included:
- Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Kenya and UCLG-Africa (June 2023)
- Recognition of BCRUP as a priority climate action initiative by the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) (August 2023)
- Launch of the BCRUP Implementation Strategy at the African Climate Summit in Nairobi (September 2023)
In December 2023, BCRUP’s 10-Year Implementation Plan (2024–2034) was launched at Expo City Dubai, outlining an estimated USD 5 billion investment requirement to operationalize climate resilience actions across Africa, beginning with 20 pilot countries.
BCRUP regained momentum during Africities, hosted by UCLG-Africa. Kenya and UCLG-Africa agreed to transition the programme from engagement to implementation, including hotspot identification and partner coordination.
In the same year, climate-resilient infrastructure projects continued across the continent, including the commissioning of the Baoma Solar Power Station in Sierra Leone, developed through a public-private partnership.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global systems and slowed implementation, temporarily placing BCRUP activities on hold.
BCRUP is launched as one of 41 global climate action initiatives under the UN Climate Action Summit in New York, giving the programme a global mandate to address urban climate vulnerability.
During this period, successful blended finance models emerged across Africa, including a USD 154 million renewable energy financing framework in Zambia, supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), African Development Bank (AfDB), and private sector investors demonstrating the scale of climate finance possible through partnership.
The Paris Agreement (COP21) is adopted, setting the global ambition to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C and laying the foundation for climate resilience and adaptation action worldwide.