Decatur Achieves Child Friendly City Recognition Through UNICEF’s Child Friendly Cities Initiative
City of Decatur third in the United States to receive designation after implementing pilot initiative to create safer, healthier communities and elevate youth voices
NEW YORK / DECATUR, GA (March 21, 2025) – The City of Decatur, in partnership with UNICEF USA, is proud to announce its achievement of Child Friendly City status through UNICEF’s Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI). On Friday, March 21, the city will be officially recognized as a UNICEF Child Friendly City – the third in the U.S. following Houston, Texas and Minneapolis, Minnesota. This milestone celebrates the successful implementation of Decatur’s Local Action Plan for Youth, developed in 2022-23 by the city’s Teen Leadership Team, which comprised 30 high school students from Decatur.
“The commitment, energy and effort displayed by young residents of Decatur on our Teen Leadership Team and Decatur Youth Council is an inspiration to all of us and a reminder that every voice is important when it comes to the work of city government,” said Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett. “My hope is that we as city leaders will continue to listen to youth voices and that those who serve as Decatur Youth representatives will inspire others to participate."
Originally created in 1996, UNICEF’s Child Friendly Cities Initiative uses an established framework that prioritizes creating safer, healthier, more inclusive and child-responsive cities and communities around the world. Since its inception, CFCI has been adopted in over 3,500 municipalities in more than 40 countries.
“We are thrilled to have Decatur join our growing cohort of UNICEF Child Friendly Cities in the United States and recognize the City’s commitment to building a safer and more accessible community for children,” said UNICEF USA President & CEO, Michael J. Nyenhuis. “UNICEF USA is proud to celebrate the dedication of the Decatur community to support youth involvement and include them in city decision making and initiatives that will have a lasting impact for generations to come.”
Through the CFCI Framework for Action, Decatur, along with community partners City Schools of Decatur, Decatur Education Foundation, and Decatur Housing Authority, the Decatur Youth Council and the Teen Leadership Team identified five key priorities and action steps to make an impact in the Decatur community.
The five priorities include improving public spaces for all, increasing trust with law enforcement, making Decatur a cleaner, more sustainable and inclusive city for all children and young people and improving access to and awareness of mental health resources for children and teens.
In the 2023-2024 school year, the Teen Leadership Team implemented action steps from the Local Action Plan including launching a school-based composting program, recommending to the city commission that future playground projects include inclusive and accessible elements, hosting a “Cookout with the Cops” for city police and young people, offering a “self-care” booth at the Children’s Book Festival, and leading an afterschool culture fair for K-2nd graders.
In pursuit of recognition as a Child Friendly City, government officials and community leaders in Decatur along with pilot cohort cities across the United States conduct a situation analysis of child well-being in each city. Based on these findings, the communities implement an action plan that prioritizes the best interests of children and youth within their local policies.
For more information or to share any ideas you may have, email childfriendlydecatur@gmail.com. For more information about Child Friendly Cities Initiative in the United States, visit www.unicefusa.org/mission/usa/childfriendlycities.
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About UNICEF USA
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to pursue a more equitable world for every child. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more.
UNICEF USA advances the global mission of UNICEF by rallying the American public to support the world’s most vulnerable children. Together, we are working toward a world that upholds the rights of all children and helps every child thrive. For more information visit www.unicefusa.org.
For more information please contact:
Nina Marie Costa, Public Relations Director, UNICEF USA, nmcosta@unicefusa.org
Zeynep Cavusoglu, Public Relations Associate, UNICEF USA, zcavusoglu@unicefusa.org
About Decatur, GA
Decatur, a city in DeKalb County Georgia, was founded in 1823 and named for Commodore Stephen Decatur. Decatur is the county seat of DeKalb County and is 4.7 square miles with a population of 25,000 people. The city, known for its homes, schools, places of worship, diversity, events and festivals, and a thriving business community, is located six miles east of Atlanta. For more information, visit www.decaturga.com.