The CIEDES Foundation stands as a model of effective public-private partnership. Its comprehensive approach to urban planning and development, coupled with its commitment to sustainability and research, underscores its significant impact on Malaga’s growth and development. The Foundation’s dedication to fostering collaboration and inclusivity ensures that the city’s strategic planning processes are robust, participative, and forward-thinking.

History

The CIEDES Foundation (Centre for Strategic Research and Social and Economic Development) is a non-profit organization established in Malaga, Spain. It is composed of key institutions in the city and is chaired by the mayor of Malaga. Founded in 1994, CIEDES marked a significant national milestone as it was the first instance of a city’s institutions and main economic and social agents uniting to collaboratively shape the future.

Mission

The Foundation’s primary mission is the Strategic Planning of Malaga. Over the years, initiatives and activities undertaken by CIEDES have proven to be pivotal in shaping Malaga’s development and city model. The approach is inclusive, participative, and consensual, ensuring that diverse voices and perspectives are considered in the planning process. While the core activity of CIEDES is Urban Strategic Planning, the Foundation also focuses on sustainable development strategies for other cities.

Action & Implementation

CIEDES actively represents Malaga in various national and international networks dedicated to Urban Strategic Planning. The Foundation is involved in Project Feasibility Studies and conducts numerous technical and research studies. Working also with indicator systems, the Foundation is able to monitor and evaluate progress while tracking the city’s progress toward its strategic goals.  

It is instrumental in organizing forums, seminars, sectoral debates, symposiums, and training courses. These activities foster knowledge exchange and capacity building among stakeholders. The Foundation collaborates extensively with the University of Malaga (UMA) and other research and training centers on research projects. This collaboration underscores our commitment to education and specialization, manifested through various initiatives such as summer courses, expert courses, workshops, and seminars.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Additionally, CIEDES prioritizes awareness-raising and sensitization efforts, particularly among children and youth, through activities focused on environmental education, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and other pertinent topics. These endeavors reflect a dedication to fostering a knowledgeable and engaged citizenry, essential for sustainable urban development.

CIEDES also contributes to voluntary progress reports on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), demonstrating commitment to global sustainability efforts.

Since 2006, CIEDES has extended their reach to the metropolitan area, where we have established a governance structure without formal government. In this capacity, we not only drive strategic planning but also actively engage in the management of the city, spearheading concrete projects and seeking funding opportunities to bring them to fruition.

Through its multifaceted initiatives, CIEDES has established itself as a crucial instrument for the advancement of Malaga. By fostering collaboration among diverse entities and focusing on strategic and sustainable development, the Foundation continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of the city. The work of CIEDES highlights the importance of collective effort and shared vision in achieving comprehensive and sustainable urban development.

Stakeholders

CIEDES serves as a platform for public-private collaboration. Its board of trustees includes a diverse array of stakeholders such as:

• the local, provincial, regional, and state governments,
• University of Malaga,
• Malaga TechPark (Andalusian technology park),
• Chamber of Commerce,
• Port of Malaga,
• Confederation of Businesses of Malaga,
• Trade Union CCOO,
• Trade Union UGT,
• Unicaja Bank,
• Unicaja Foundation,
• TROPS,
• Votorantim Cimentos Sociedad and
• Innova-IRV.