Rome was the setting of an unusual meeting last 15-17 September: the Farewell Meeting of RU:RBAN First Wave, with representatives of the partner cities of A Coruna, Caen, Loures, Krakow, Thessaloniki and Vilnius, and the Kick-Off Meeting of the RU:RBAN Second Wave with representatives of the partner cities of Alexandroupolis, Algeciras, Carlow and Split.
The three-day meeting was an outstanding opportunity for the exchange of experiences between the partners of the First Wave and the Second Wave, for the illustration of the results and goals achieved during the last two and a half years and for the introduction of the roadmap awaiting ahead during the Second Wave.
Perfect weather, unique settings for each day: the Parco Ort9 of Casal Brunori, the Cartiera Latina in the Appia Antica Regional Park and the Casa del Giardinaggio.
Topics such as #governance #sustainability #sustainabledevelopment #inclusion #education #agriculture #resilience #regeneration #health were also faced by all partners in a wider debate of the impact of urban agriculture on citizens in the EU. Key to the success of the phenomenon of urban agriculture is the collaboration between citizens and Administrations through the management of urban and community gardens.
Representatives of the First Wave cities shared their transfer journey experiences, the challenges faced and the change in perception towards urban gardens gained among the citizens. The partners of the Second Wave shared the status of urban agriculture in their city today and their expectations for the next eighteen months, while looking forward to work alongside the other cities and being part of the RU:RBAN community and the URBACT network.
A very successful meeting that contributed to one important double goal: consolidate the collaboration among the cities of the First Wave – which will continue through new initiatives – and make the partners of the Second Wave feel part of the RU:RBAN community.
