Minneapolis designated ‘Child Friendly City’ by UNICEF

The United States Fund for UNICEF (UNICEF USA) has announced that Minneapolis has earned a renewal of its designation as a UNICEF Child Friendly City. This announcement comes alongside the upcoming launch of the City's second Local Action Plan, reaffirming Minneapolis' commitment to child-centered governance and creating a supportive environment where young people can thrive.

With the launch of its second Local Action Plan, the City of Minneapolis is prioritizing the following focus areas:

1. Community Safety: Ensuring children are protected from violence and have safe spaces to live, learn, and play.
2. Mental Health: Expanding access to mental health resources and creating supportive environments for emotional well-being.
3. Child Rights Education and Awareness: Promoting awareness of children's rights among youth, families, and city stakeholders.

In 2020, UNICEF USA launched the Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) in the United States with Minneapolis selected as part of its inaugural pilot cohort. Minneapolis became the second U.S. city to earn designation as a UNICEF Child Friendly City, following Houston, reflecting its ongoing commitment to prioritizing children's rights in local policy, planning and decision-making. It is the first and only U.S. city to pursue renewal of its Child Friendly City designation.

About the CFCI

CFCI aims to improve the safety and inclusion of children and young people, their meaningful participation and access to equitable social services, living environments, play and leisure opportunities.

"Being a Child Friendly City means we don't treat young people as an afterthought - we build Minneapolis around their future," said Mayor Jacob Frey. "From safe parks and strong public health programs to mental health support and opportunities after school, we're making sure kids and their families can succeed in every neighborhood. I'm proud Minneapolis is one of the first cities in the country to earn this designation, and even prouder that we're continuing the work to raise the bar."

A Child Friendly City designation prioritizes children

A Child Friendly City designation recognizes a city's progress in advancing child rights and commits the City to eliminating discrimination against children through local government policies and actions. It also fosters inclusive participation by engaging young people through child and youth councils and reflects a comprehensive process that includes community assessment, development of a detailed Local Action Plan, and meaningful implementation of that plan. In prioritizing children, City leaders are investing in youth by addressing both physical and mental well-being. These efforts include expanding access to health care, increasing after-school opportunities, providing mental health and substance use resources, and creating pathways to sustainable employment.

"We are excited to continue working with the City of Minneapolis and grateful for their renewed commitment to building a Child Friendly City," said UNICEF USA Chief Program Officer, Darla Silva. "During our partnership with Minneapolis, we've seen a deep dedication to supporting and advancing the rights and wellbeing of every child, across all ages, backgrounds and neighborhoods. We know that when youth are given a voice in local decision making, entire communities are made stronger."

"Children make up 20 percent of our city's population and are essential to both its present and future,"said Damōn Chaplin, Minneapolis Health Commissioner. "This renewal reflects our city's commitment to supporting the health and well-being of young people, particularly when it comes to mental health. As one of the refined priority areas in the local action plan, our department remains dedicated to expanding access to mental health resources and fostering supportive environments that promote emotional well-being."

Additional background

• 98 percent of Minneapolis residents live within six blocks of parks.
• The UNICEF Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) brings UNICEF together with local stakeholders to establish safer, more just, equitable, inclusive and child-centered cities and communities.
• Through the Child Friendly Cities Initiative, cities work to embed child-centered governance practices into local systems, ensuring children and young people are meaningfully engaged in shaping policies, programs, and decisions that affect their lives.
• CFCI uses the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as a framework to help local governments prioritize the needs of children and young people, combat discrimination and elevate youth voices in local governance and decision making.
• The City of Minneapolis signed on to the Convention of the Rights of the Child in 1989. See here for more history of Minneapolis becoming a Child Friendly City.
• The City of Minneapolis launched its Child Friendly Cities Initiative in 2020, developing its Local Action Plan in partnership with City leaders, community members, and youth participants.
• The City's newly launched second Local Action Plan builds on this foundation by advancing strategies that strengthen community safety, support youth mental health, and expand awareness of children's rights across Minneapolis.

This initiative is a collaboration between the City and the Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board, a joint powers board founded in 1984 that works to empower young people and support adults in sharing power to shape systems and culture.