1. BEST PRACTICES IDENTIFICATION
FUNDACIÓN CIEDES. KTC-MÁLAGA
Barcelona. April 10th-12th, 2013

2. INDICE Example What is a best practices?
Protocol to identify best practices
How to fill the “Applicaton Form for implementation of Best Practices Criteria”
Thematics blocks
Sector
Criteria
Example

3. 1. WHAT IS A BEST PRACTICES?
Best practices are those what:
Have a demonstrable and tangible impact on improving the people quality of life
They are the result of collective effective working between different sectors of society: public, private and civic
Are socially, culturally, economically and environmentally sustainable.
Can be adapted for be replicated in similar contexts

4. 1. WHAT IS A BEST PRACTICES?
Best practices pursue the following objectives, keys for USUDS:
Improve the performance of urban projects
Increase awareness of responsible for the formulation of plans and projects at all levels and of the general public about possible solutions on social, economic and environmental problems.
Share and transfer knowledge and experience through learning with experts and a networked system.

5. Sources: demands or interests of partners or KTCs
2. PROTOCOL TO IDENTIFY BEST PRACTICES
Autoevalution
Identification
To resolve doubts
Results
Sources: demands or interests of partners or KTCs
Platform
Fill the AF
Best practices
Experts
Case of city
Criteria
Debates
Case of interest

6. 2. PROTOCOL TO IDENTIFY BEST PRACTICES
Each KTC starts a search of Best Practices driven by one of these inputs:
A demand of a city developing their USDS.
The own interest of the KTC to work on a specific topic.
In order to identify cases of interest, the KTC or the Network Coordinator will contact different kind of agents:
Other cities in its area
Experts
Agencies, Research centers, other organizations.
Once a project is identified, a “Application form Proposes Cases” should be filled by the person contacted, or alternatively by the KTC, for further analysis.
The KTCs are responsible to assess each case suggested using the “AF for implementation of Best Practices Criteria” in order to consider if that case is a Best Practice or not, using the criteria defined
In case some doubts may arise, the KTC may consider opening a debate among the experts for further inputs.

7. 2. PROTOCOL TO IDENTIFY BEST PRACTICES
The KTCs should cooperate in the assessment of the cases and should maintain a dynamic relationship when doubts or queries arise. When a Best Practice is identified, consultation with other KTCs (particularly the KTC of Malaga and the Network Coordinator) is advisable in order to obtain a second opinion.
Finally, once the Best Practice is validated, the KTC should introduce it to the Platform, summarizing the information contained in the “AF for implementation of Best Practices Criteria” and filling the corresponding “Platform Best Practice Sheet”. The same applies for other cases of interest.
When a best practice is uploaded to the Platform, it will be announced in the home page. If the identification of that Best Practice is a response to a demand of a city developing its USUDS, the KTC should contact the city in order to notify the results and any other aspects of the process that could be useful for the city.

8. 2. PROTOCOL TO IDENTIFY BEST PRACTICES
Some cases are Best Practices, and another one could be considered Other cases of interest and be introduced in the Platform as such.
The information required in order to fill in the “AF for implementation of Best Practices Criteria” should be provided by the expert, city or organization that identified the project, or at least should provide with the contact details of the responsible of the project.
AUTOEVALUATION
Another way to suggest Best Practices will be directly through the Platform, filling a questionnaire placed in the Best Practices section.
Once a user fills in this questionnaire, a KTC will receive the answers and contact him/her to analyze if the case suggested is worth to be included in the Platform.

9. 3. HOW TO FILL “AF OF BEST PRACTICES”
GENERAL INFORMATION
THEMATICS BLOCKS
SECTOR
CRITERIA

10. 3.1. THEMATICS BLOCKS
In Málaga Launching Seminar, we decided to establish these thematics blocks:
Continuous innovation in strategic planning processes
Monitoring, evaluation and reformulation of strategic plans
Strategic alliances and public-private participation
4. Key projects not framed in an strategic plan (Proyectos clave
no enmarcados en un plan estratégico)

11. 3.2. SECTORS Urbanism Mobility and transport
Sustainability and environment
Economical promotion and employment
Tourism and culture
News technologies
Social cohesion
Concertation
Others

12. 3.3. BEST PRACTICES CRITERIA
KEY QUESTIONS
Innovation
Can be when traditional approaches to performance change, or they start a model-based experiences that are directed to solving problems in different settings and contexts.
Innovation can be refered to the problem, the procedure or to the resolution and not have to be an absolute news, it may be new to the area in which it applies.
In what way there has been innovation: the problem statement, in the procedure or resolution?
Does Innovation come from some other pre-existing experience?
What new technologies have been applied?
Have there been any legislative, regulatory, methodological, etc. news?
Strategy
Definition of guidelines that let advance on the achievement of specific goals. These lines or strategies must be related, not only with the objectives, but with the actions and outcomes adapted to the circumstances and context of stakeholders.
What were the project's goals, they were measurable and quantifiable?
What had been the strategies for achieving the objectives?
Have all stakeholders been involved in the definition of strategies?
Consultation It contemplates the participation of everyone involved in the project: public-private and public-public cooperation, establishing the powers and responsibilities
Who have been the partners?
Have the participants been involved in the develop of the project?
What has been the general division of responsibilities between the parties involved?
Impact
Observable, tangible and positive changes have been developed in the scope of the project
Who have been the direct and indirect beneficiaries?
Over time, which tangible improvements have been observed in beneficiaries and community?
Which tangible improvements have been observed in the scope of the project?

13. 3.3. BEST PRACTICES CRITERIA
KEY QUESTIONS
Evaluation and effectiveness
Creating an systematic for monitoring and evaluation actions and level of compliance of objectives. The initiative or action demonstrates the achievement of objectives by evaluating and documenting the results.
What activities have been carried out to achieve the objectives?
Compared with the defined objectives, which have been the results of the project?
What indicators are used for monitoring objectives?
Sustanaibility
The experiences are designed and planned to remain over time: to consolidate forms of relationship and action involving all stakeholders, and to take into account the cost-effectiveness-efficiency-benefits, according to their future maintenance
What actions have been over time?
Have been evaluated the impacts of actions: on beneficiaries, on community and over time?
Has been planned how to finance the running of the project once completed?
Transfer capacity
Ability to serve as a guide or model to apply the experience in other areas and similar settings
Has been applied this action in another area or place?
Can be possible to interact with other agencies or programs?

14. Ideas Contest for Integration Guadalmedina River in the city
3.4. EXAMPLE
Project:
Ideas Contest for Integration
Guadalmedina River in the city