Bogotá’s Care BlocksBogotá, Columbia Presented by the World Economic Forum Alejandro Arango 2021-presentThese caregivers, almost all women, are calculated to be responsi- ble for up to 13% of the city’s GDP and 20%33 of the country’s GDP, though their labour is unpaid. In total, 90% of them are low income, 70% do not have secondary school experience and all of them lack economic autonomy. To address the challenges faced by this group, the city created consolidated social services centres that were located within a 20-minute walk of projected users. Each centre, or Care Block, pro- vides professional skills and training, income-generating activities, and health and wellness services, in addition to caregiving services for children and the elderly.34 The Care Blocks were incorporated into Bogotá’s Urban Master Plan in 2021, which includes and budgets for 45 Care Blocks by 2035.35,36 Today, there are 23 functioning Care Blocks in carefully selected locations throughout the city. Bogotá used data analysis tools to identify locations with high concentrations of caregivers that also have significant deficits in social infrastructure.37 Key outcomes GOVERNANCE Through civic engagement, Bogotá identi- fied that its main focus for the care system should be to allocate more free time for caregivers, enabling them to access further education, engage in wellness activities and partici- pate in community activities. In the development phase of the care system, the city facilitated 21 focus groups, 17 interviews and 17 additional discussions with caregivers. These sessions involved women with various racial backgrounds, sexual orientations and disabilities, offering a broad range of viewpoints. The insights, aspi- rations and lived experiences of nearly 5,500 women have played a crucial role in shaping Bogotá’s public policies on women and gender for the 2020-2030 period.38 Bogotá established the Intersectional Commission of Care system to ensure that caregivers have a continued voice and vote in decision-making.39 The system is coordinated by the Secretary of Women and involves an intersectoral commission of 10 public enti- ties involved in care-related services. Care Blocks operate under the principle of co-responsibility, involving the state, society and the community in addressing care needs.40 It is supported further by a CARE Alliance, a group of NGOs, funders, international organiza - tions and academia, as well as local organizations. In 2020, the Mayor of Bogotá, Claudia López Hernández, with support from a broad coalition of international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), launched Bogotá’s Care Blocks – a system of health, employment and social support aimed towards the city’s caregivers.HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DBQS GOVERNANCE FUNCTIONALITY ECONOMY

From Principles to Practice DIGITAL