Surabaya, April 23, 2025 — The City Government of Surabaya has formalized a strategic partnership with UNICEF through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI). This collaboration underscores Surabaya’s strong commitment to ensuring that every child can grow, thrive, and participate meaningfully in a safe and inclusive urban environment.

As one of Indonesia’s leading cities, Surabaya is setting the standard for what it means to be truly child-friendly. This initiative aligns with the city’s vision of becoming a model for child-centered governance and urban development that upholds children’s rights in all aspects of city life.

Under the CFCI framework, the partnership with UNICEF will focus on five priority areas, such as: First, improving essential services for children, including health, education, and protection. Surabaya, for example, aims to immunize all its babies and toddlers as well as cutting stunting prevalence to zero.

Second, strengthening child participation in city planning, budgeting, and policy monitoring. The Surabaya Children’s Forum is the main participant of the city’s development planning sessions of Musrenbang.

Third, fostering collaboration between the government, civil society, and private sector to support child well-being. Major business owners’s associations such as CEO Jatim, Surabaya Friendship Club, Entrepreneurs Organization Indonesia East, KADIN and HIPMI Surabaya are allies to child protection campaigns in Surabaya.

Mayor Eri Cahyadi highlighted the city’s commitment:

“This is not just a program—it is a movement. We want Surabaya to be the best city in the world for children to grow up in. Through this partnership with UNICEF, we are embedding children’s rights into the very DNA of our development policies.”

The MoU builds on Surabaya’s concrete achievements through the CFCI framework, including the establishment of community-based child protection units, the SITALAS digital platform for child participation, expanded safe public spaces, inclusive city planning, and grassroots engagement through initiatives like the Kongres Anak and Kampunge Arek Suroboyo.

Rini Eri Cahyadi, Bunda PAUD Kota Surabaya says,“Building a child-friendly city is not just about infrastructure—it’s about building trust, safety, and opportunities for every child. Through the Child Friendly Cities Initiative, we’re giving children a voice and space to grow with dignity. As Bunda PAUD, I’m committed to ensuring that our youngest citizens feel seen, heard, and supported in every neighborhood, from the kampung to the classroom. When we nurture our children today, we shape a stronger, more compassionate Surabaya tomorrow.”

UNICEF Chief of Field Office Arie Rukmantara adds “Surabaya’s commitment to children’s rights is truly exemplary. Through the Child Friendly Cities Initiative, the city has made remarkable strides—ensuring children are not only protected, but also empowered to shape the policies that affect them. From the creation of safe community spaces and expanded child participation in governance, to the establishment of digital platforms like SITALAS and innovative support systems like Puspaga Balai RW—Surabaya is embedding child rights into its urban fabric. These efforts, backed by inclusive local policies and strong collaboration with civil society, show what’s possible when a city listens to its children and takes action. UNICEF is proud to walk alongside Surabaya in this journey.”