01/04/2025 30/09/2026
URBACT Pioneers Accelerator is the bespoke learning programme for cities from accession countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. Participating cities will tackle specific urban challenges with solutions in line with the EU integrated sustainable urban development policy framework, values and best practices.
The URBACT Pioneer Accelerator is a structured and inspiring learning journey that helps cities lead sustainable change. It supports them in understanding EU urban development policies while fostering innovation through integrated and participatory approaches and the implementation of small-scale pilot actions.
The accelerator programme consists of three learning dimensions:
Participating Cities
- Arandjelovac - Serbia
- Subotica - Public Enterprise PERMUPHS - Serbia
- Sremska Mitrovica - Serbia
- Tuzla - Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Tivat - Montenegro
- Himara - Albania
- Shtip - North Macedonia
- Herceg Novi - Montenegro
- Backi Petrovac - Serbia
- Novi Pazar 2 - Serbia
- Kamza - Albania
- Mostar - Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Trebinje - Development Agency - TREDEA - Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Bijeljina - Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Banja Luka - Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Doboj - Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Niksic - Montenegro
- Vinica - North Macedonia
- Zrenjanin - Serbia
- Kragujevac - Serbia
- Kakanj - Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Široki Brijeg - Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Lezhë - Albania
- Smederevo - Serbia
- Senta - Serbia
Network Contact
Timeline
1 April 2025- Start of the URBACT Pioneers Accelerator journey
3-4 July 2025 - Kick off meeting online
16 -18 September 2025 - Milestone event in Ljubljana, Slovenia
October - November 2025 - First round of Thematic expeditions (Study visits) in EU cities (Munich, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Vienna&Zlin)
December 2025 - First Local Action Labs in Pioneer cities (Focus: Vision Pitch)
Stories
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Who Is in Control of Your City’s Narrative?
How URBACT Pioneers Accelerator cities turn data into stories - and participation into belonging
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URBACT Pioneers Explored Ljubljana’s Outdoors
Zunaj (“Outdoors”), a local mechanism that enables communities to lead placemaking projects with modest financial and organisational support.
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URBACT Pioneers continue their journey with the “Don’t Stop Me Now!” vibe!
URBACT Pioneers gathered in Ljubljana for their first in -person milestone event on 17–18 September 2025, marking the transition from the DISCOVER to
