In this special episode we speak with Carolina Basualdo, Mayor of Despeñaderos, Argentina. We also have Jorge Rodríguez, Coordinator, Permanent Technical Secretariat, Mercociudades, and Valentina De Marco, Coordinadora, Alianzas y Proyectos Internacionales, RAMCC. These guests join hosts Ben Jance and Cathy Oke in the fifth episode of City Climate Innovation, special episodes of the ClimateTalks Podcast produced by GCoM, a series of special episodes of the ClimateTalks Podcast series, to discuss Innovate4Cities and consider the potential for multilevel support for climate action.  

Fifty kilometres south of the state capital of Córdoba, Despeñaderos stands out for the progressive action Mayor Basualdo has taken towards gender equality and community engagement of all citizens, young and old, in climate change action to safeguard the future of their city.

When Despeñaderos joined GCoM in March of 2022, they were in the midst of launching the innovative “Resilient Women” program, aiming to achieve climate change mitigation goals while providing opportunities for women who have experienced gender-based violence to engage in entrepreneurship in circular economy initiatives. 

Recognized by the Ibero-American Union of Municipalities and the government of Córdoba, Despeñaderos is leading the way in the fight against gender-based violence and promoting gender equality in the region.

The clip at the beginning of the episode is Mayor Basualdo speaking at#Innovactoras2022 on the topic of including youth in the urban planning process.

You can hear the clip in full here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9JWTuQp-ag

The City Climate Innovation podcast series is produced by GCoM and the Melbourne Centre for Cities at the University of Melbourne, and is produced on the lands of the Wurundjeri  Woi  Wurrung People of the Kulin Nation. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.  

Our theme music is by Music for a Warming World. 

Follow the City Climate Innovation podcast series by subscribing to the ClimateTalks podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or where you listen to your podcasts.