Building a Child-Friendly City: a case study in collaborative governance and advocacy

This City Short case study explores the work of the Cork Child-Friendly City Forum in supporting Cork's goal to become Ireland's first Child-Friendly City. Established in 2021, the Forum is an advocacy coalition comprising a cross-sector partnership of statutory and non-statutory actors, united by a shared commitment to children's rights. Guided by UNICEF's Child-Friendly City framework, the Advocacy Coalition Framework, and Krishnamurthy et al'.s spatial, social, and governance domains, the case study highlights the Forum's central role in driving this initiative. Using qualitative data, including a survey of Forum members, it identifies key enablers such as cross-sector collaboration, inclusive urban design, equitable access to services, and child-centred decision-making. While Cork aligns well with national child and youth policies and WHO Healthy Cities principles, challenges persist – namely limited dedicated funding streams and the absence of a national Child Friendly City framework. Nevertheless, expanding partnerships and evolving governance structures reflect meaningful progress. The case offers valuable insights for other cities aiming to build inclusive, child-friendly urban environments.