City: Rosario, Argentina

Reporting to: Chief of Cabinet

The Challenge

Mayor Pablo Javkin of Rosario, Argentina, is committed to addressing the needs of the most vulnerable communities and integrating them into the city’s social fabric. One project that aligns with this commitment is transforming the neighborhood of La Tablada by improving its infrastructure and ensuring that all community members can access the necessary resources to thrive. The mayor envisions a community where young people have opportunities to achieve their full potential, supported by robust public services and a strengthened social fabric.

La Tablada is a critical focus area in Rosario, recognized as a dense, impoverished area with informal settlements experiencing high rates of violence, particularly among youth between 12 and 25 years old. With over 5,060 residents and 1,100 families, this neighborhood suffers from limited access to basic public services and safe public spaces as well as significant barriers to education and employment. The prevalence of drug trafficking and territorial disputes further exacerbates the risk of violence and crime, making it imperative to address these systemic issues to restore safety and community cohesion.

Recent pacification efforts of large-scale police operations and legal actions against crime have decreased violence, presenting a timely opportunity to implement structural changes. Initial steps have included community-driven infrastructure enhancements, with further development planned to ensure sustainable growth and integration.

This project aims to advance equity directly by focusing on a neighborhood where disparities in safety, access to services, and economic opportunities are pronounced. By improving infrastructure and providing targeted educational and employment programs, we aim to reduce social exclusion and increase the life chances of Tablada’s youth. The project aims to address significant social and infrastructural challenges through strategic entry points, including education re-engagement, job training, family support, and infrastructure development. The comprehensive engagement of a wide range of stakeholders—including local government units, educational institutions, law enforcement, and community leaders—is critical to ensuring that interventions are effective and tailored to the diverse needs of the community.

By focusing on these key areas and engaging these groups, the project will implement community-driven solutions that are rooted in local needs and perspectives, ensuring sustainable improvements and enhanced public safety.

Primary Stakeholders:

• Local Government Units: Including the Department of Human Development and Habitat, which will oversee the project’s alignment with broader city initiatives.
• Educational Institutions: Particularly the National University of Rosario and local schools, which will play key roles in the educational re-engagement and job training programs.
• Community Leaders and Residents: Essential for gathering input and ensuring community-driven solutions.
• Local Businesses and Employers: To support and potentially hire graduates of the job training programs.
• Law Enforcement: To collaborate on improving safety and security as part of the infrastructure improvements.

The fellow, under the supervision of the Senior Director of Community Development, will conduct research and preliminary analysis to address the following key questions in La Tablada:

1. Community Engagement Needs:
   • What specific community engagement activities are required at this stage to rebuild trust and ensure the project’s initiatives are closely aligned with the needs of La Tablada’s residents?
   • How can we ensure that the voice of the youth is prominently featured in the planning and execution of community projects?
2. Existing Efforts and Integration:
   • What engagement efforts are already underway across different departments that impact La Tablada, and what are the current touchpoints for community interaction?
   • How are these efforts integrated, and where are the gaps that need bridging to enhance community support?
3. Diverse Engagement Strategies:
   • What diverse strategies can be employed to foster open dialogue with the community and ensure broad participation, particularly among the youth and families most affected by the project?
   • How can we incorporate innovative engagement tactics that resonate with and actively involve the younger demographic?
4. Maximizing Engagement Impact:
   • How can the city maximize both existing and new strategies to deliver inclusive engagement practices across departmental initiatives?
   • What programmatic and project-specific engagement strategies can be implemented to ensure sustained community involvement and benefit?

What You’ll Do

To address these questions, the fellow will:

• Engage directly with La Tablada residents, local businesses, educational institutions, and community leaders to gather insights and feedback.
• Develop a comprehensive community engagement strategy that includes both traditional and innovative engagement methods tailored to the diverse demographics of La Tablada.
• Coordinate with various city departments to integrate and enhance the community engagement efforts, ensuring that they are cohesive and effectively address the identified needs.

Key deliverables will include:

• A detailed inventory of existing community engagement touchpoints within city departments and external organizations affecting La Tablada.
• A report recommending engagement methods that the city can use to foster dialogue and gather meaningful community feedback.
• A Community Engagement Strategy Matrix outlining specific approaches, key stakeholders, and detailed implementation steps.
• A final presentation of findings and recommendations to the mayor and key city stakeholders, aiming to inform and optimize ongoing and future community initiatives.

What You’ll Bring

• Data analysis and synthesis
• Qualitative interviewing and analysis
• Mapping (GIS)
• Policy analysis
• Design thinking
• Language fluency: Fluency in Spanish is critical
• Writing and editing