The European Reference Framework for Sustainable Cities (RFSC) is an open, non-binding, on-line toolkit to assist actors of urban management and development to improve dialogue and action on sustainability at local level.

Source: UNCSD Secretariat (2010) Questionnaire for the Member States on Experiences, Success Factors, Risks and Challenges with Regard to Objective and Themes of UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD)

"The European Reference Framework for Sustainable Cities" offers a multi-purpose decision-making and communication tool for promoting sustainable urban development. It is not place-specific and can be adapted to suit local priorities and different circumstances. The tool shows and explains step-by-step what actions are possible or necessary to organise the process in a city or municipality, that is to say to help the city develop in an integrated manner. The users are guided through a series of questions to explore their city's approach to sustainability and provide them with tools for improving this. Tools and supporting guidance are also given to monitor implementation and to evaluate the results. The tool is designed in a flexible way, in order to be adapted and enriched according to the particular situation of the city or municipality, and also in each national context (translation, specific documentation or indicators, etc.).