"Nothing for us, without us” is SDI’s mantra; TransformYourCity is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at every stage.

Governance consists of a Data Sovereignty Council to develop data principles, licenses, and uses inspired by SDI principles of community data ownership and indigenous data sovereignty CARE principles.

Our Executive Team includes slum dwellers and local representatives, along with team members reflecting diversity in gender, background, geography and skills. We will establish an independent Just Development Advisory Council with the mandate of upholding our principles and avoiding bureaucratization.

All our work on the ground is led by slum-community members, and is responsive to their needs.

Staffing operations will rely on many of these members, providing opportunities to gain skills and experience and creating a ladder into employment with NGOs, business and entrepreneurship, and government. 

In project design, we will develop data types, tools, and plans (climate risk-assessment, upgrading, services) for inclusivity from the bottom up, through direct collaboration among local slum-dweller communities, technical members, and the executive team.

TransformYourCity will include extensive training and support to build local skills and technical capabilities bridging digital divides for vulnerable populations, especially women, youth, and displaced people. 

In monitoring and evaluation, we implement permanent feedback loops from slum communities, including their enthusiasm and criticism of field work methods and impacts.

Progress and outcomes are first measured on their terms, along with local governments and other stakeholders.

This ensures that data and tools developed globally by technologists, businesses, or researchers are tested and approved by local stakeholders.