This conference provided an opportunity to look back on the entire journey of the network, from its creation to the most recent experiments carried out in the partner cities. It also represented a symbolic milestone with the official presentation of the final Integrated Action Plans, which will enter their implementation phase from 2026 onwards. Through testimonies, analyses, and feedback from the field, the event highlighted the project’s key lessons and the richness of the cooperation built throughout the transnational meetings.
One of the highlights of the evening was the contribution of Kazuki Yamada, representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), who reflected on the progress of the Commission on Social Connection, launched only a few months after the start of Breaking Isolation in 2023. The intervention helped draw a strong parallel between the international dynamics led by the WHO and the local initiatives developed within the partner territories, showing that the fight against social isolation is a global challenge that is also shaped at the city level.
We also had the pleasure of hearing from Aleksandra Kluczka, Senior Communication Officer at the URBACT programme, who praised the commitment of all partners and the quality of the work carried out throughout the programme. She emphasised the European scope of the network and the ability of cities to design concrete, transferable, and inspiring actions for other territories.
The entire conference was hosted by Christophe Gouache, Lead Expert of the project, and Nicolas Castet, Network Coordinator, who have led Breaking Isolation since its very beginning. Through his cross-cutting perspective and in-depth understanding of local dynamics, the network expert helped put the results achieved into perspective and highlight each partner’s contribution to the collective success of the programme.
The closing conference therefore marks a pivotal step: it brings the phase of European cooperation to an end and opens a new chapter: the implementation of the Integrated Action Plans in each partner city. The actions imagined, tested, and refined throughout the project can now be translated into real public policies on the ground.
👉 Watch (or re-watch) the conference online here: https://youtu.be/8Y-KlE4GbFg
