On June 17–18, 2025, the Municipality of Centar Sarajevo hosted the fifth transnational partner meeting of the URBACT IV project “C4TALENT – Creating a better environment for startups and businesses to attract and retain talent.”
The event brought together representatives from nine European cities committed to tackling brain drain and building thriving, startup-friendly ecosystems where young professionals choose to stay and grow.
As the project enters its final phase, the Sarajevo meeting focused on finalizing Integrated Action Plans (IAPs)—strategic local documents designed to improve talent retention, entrepreneurial development, and innovation across participating cities.
Key moments included:
A peer review of each city’s draft IAP
Thematic workshops on entrepreneurship and startup support
A co-creation session with partners at the Sarajevo Cable Car station
A guided city tour and networking opportunities with local startup entrepreneurs
The Municipality of Centar Sarajevo also used the opportunity to showcase its own progress and reinforce its emerging role as a regional hub for innovation and sustainability.
A press conference was held during the event featuring:
Municipal Mayor Srđan Mandić
Lead Expert Béla Kézy
Project Coordinator for Centar Sarajevo Haris Sijarić
Another standout element of the meeting was a hands-on Canva training session, where partners learned how to turn complex action plans into clear, visually engaging infographics—a valuable tool to improve public communication and stakeholder engagement as they prepare for their local dissemination events.
The meeting once again demonstrated the value of collaboration, creativity, and knowledge-sharing in building urban environments where talent can not only stay—but thrive.
The final transnational partner meeting will be hosted by Nyíregyháza later this year, where cities will present their finalized Integrated Action Plans and reflect on their shared journey.
