Building capacities within local governments and civil society for sustainable development is necessary to fulfill the strategic goals and aims set out by Agenda 21 (Chapter 28), the Millennium Development Goals, the Aalborg Charter, national Sustainable Development plans, and local plans for sustainable development (Local Agenda 21's).

The research and analysis on developing institutional and social capacities completed within the DISCUS project have formed the basis for the development of policy guidelines for local governments. These 10 guidelines, entitled the Fano Guidelines, have been presented and discussed in 10 different workshops at the Governing Sustainable Cities conference. Here you can read the texts and the suggested actions for each of them. Moreover you can take vision of the corresponding presentations, which have been shown in the parallel sessions during the conference.

1   Learning as an organisation

2   Moving away from 'policy silos' within local government

3   Making alliances with people and organisations

4   Facilitating the process and developing credible leadership

5   Encouraging creativity and innovation in policy-making

6   Communicating to make a difference

7   Catalysing action through raising environmental awareness

8   Maintaining commitment to achieving the long-term vision

9   Sharing experience with peers

10  Influencing all levels of government

Here you can download the pdf file describing the 10 guidelines and the corresponding suggested actions.

For an overview and explanations of the Fano Guidelines you can further download the 2-sided Fano Poster: in English (front and back), in German (front and back) and in Slovak (front and back).