Kaidi Aher

Kaidi Aher is a communication professional and researcher with over 20 years of international experience in public sector communication, strategic sustainability messaging and change communication. She brings a strong combination of practical city-level leadership in sustainability communication and academic expertise in change communication — both essential for supporting URBACT networks and cities in integrated urban transitions.

Kaidi has a proven record of leading strategic communication initiatives in complex transnational and multi-stakeholder environments. As Communication Manager for Tallinn European Green Capital 2023, she developed and implemented an engagement-focused communication strategy that connected sustainability priorities to local audiences, partner cities, and international networks. This included storytelling approaches to make the UN Sustainable Development Goals more tangible for diverse audiences, and communication with European city networks (EU Green Capital Network, Eurocities, URBACT project partners). Her work demonstrates thematic expertise in sustainability communication and an ability to translate complex urban policy topics into accessible narratives. 

She has contributed directly to URBACT-related activities, including workshops and development of a comprehensive communication and engagement plan for the URBACT project Cities for Sustainability Governance, reinforcing cities’ capacities to communicate change and engage stakeholders locally and transnationally.

Kaidi holds an MA in Public Relations (Westminster University) and is a doctoral researcher at the University of Jyväskylä, focusing on change communication in public sector organisations — an asset for supporting URBACT’s objectives to build integrated, participatory and sustainable urban policies. She has also shared her expertise in lectures and scientific presentations (e.g., EUPRERA 2017, Urban Transitions 2024) and has taught organisational and CSR communication at university level.

Her strengths for URBACT roles include:

• Thematic Expertise on sustainability communication: deep experience with urban sustainability agendas, SDGs storytelling, citizen engagement and behaviour change.
• Methodological Expertise for exchange, learning, and engagement: design, facilitation and delivery of workshops, trainings and communication strategies for diverse audiences and stakeholders.
• Transnational cooperation skills: experience collaborating with multiple cities, international networks and European partners.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills in English and academic analysis, paired with practical capacity in adapting messages for local governments, practitioners, citizens and international audiences. 

Her combined practice-based and research-informed approach makes her well suited for URBACT Ad-hoc expertise missions or support roles within networks focusing on communication, participatory governance and sustainable transitions — helping partners share knowledge, facilitate learning and strengthen integrated city policies that resonate with local stakeholders and transnational peers.