YOURS – Youth for Road Safety Capacity Development Manager Laura Daniela Gomez wins a grant from the Knight Emerging City Champions – a fellowship and micro-grant programme for young civic innovations with “bold ideas for developing engaged, inclusive, and equitable communities.”
The Grant will elevate new voices in city building and support projects that strengthen communities. Projects could include efforts to revitalise downtown and neighborhoods, improve public spaces where people can connect with places they live, and create more economic opportunities that attract and retain residents through more inclusive pathways to jobs and more.
According to the Knight Emerging City Champions website, “Emerging City Champions use their energy, ingenuity, and collaborative partnerships to create real community change. From beehives to jukeboxes, mentorship programs to art projects, block parties to shared meals, ECC participants strengthen mobility, improve public spaces, and enhance civic engagement in their city.”
Daniela has a lot of experience leading projects focused on creating safer cities, especially for cyclists. As a member of the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety, she has won Local Actions grants from 2021 – 2022 while also winning the Impact Generator Challenge as a delegate of the 2nd World Youth Assembly for Road Safety.
Daniela’s Project “Macon for everyone, Macon para todos”, comprises two interconnected components: enhancing accessibility for all with a particular focus on children and families and fostering greater engagement of the Hispanic community in downtown Macon.
The cornerstone of these components will be the execution of engagement and arts related activities that will build interest towards the key milestone of the project: a Hispanic heritage Gathering.
“Through my project, I seek to work together with different stakeholders to ensure Downtown Macon is accessible for all, enjoyable for all and more attractive for the Hispanic community.” – Laura Daniela Gomez
