Following the online URBACT training, the Eat4Climate network had the opportunity to come together in Cork, Ireland, for the URBACT University, a key milestone in our network journey.
This event marked our move into the ADAPT stage, giving cities the opportunity to focus on stakeholder engagement, exchange experiences and explore new ways of working together. Together with 156 city partners, we reflected on the challenges cities face and on how stronger collaboration with local stakeholders can help drive meaningful change.
Sharing with other networks
During the Hub Sessions, we worked alongside other networks focusing on environmental and climate related challenges. These sessions provided a valuable opportunity to share experiences, identify common challenges and highlight inspiring practices emerging across the networks.
As Lead Partner, Mouans-Sartoux had the opportunity to present the Eat4Climate Stakeholder Mapping, developed from the city's food ecosystem and used during the Eat4Climate Kick-off Meeting. This mapping exercise illustrates the diversity of stakeholders involved in local food systems and helps identify opportunities for stronger collaboration.
Exploring new ways to engage stakeholders
Thanks to the Network @ Work sessions, we put these new tools and ideas into practice. Together, Eat4Climate partners worked on our stakeholder mapping and explored new tools to identify missing stakeholders and build stronger participation throughout the network, such as the Stakeholder Identification Cards and the Stakeholder Engagement board.
Cork: a living laboratory for participation
Cork itself was an inspiring learning environment. The study visits provided interesting projects and concrete examples of how cities can involve stakeholders and build successful partnerships around local challenges.
Learning and moving forward together
One of the biggest assets of URBACT University was the opportunity to work, learn and share together.
We are coming back from Cork with many inspiring ideas and practical tools to strengthen stakeholder engagement within Eat4Climate.
The next steps are ahead, and we are ready to move forward together!
Eat4Climate network at URBACT University
