Networks and cities' news

From neighbourhood presence to meaningful participation: Ghent shares its approach at URBACT Univeristy

As Lead Partner of the URBACT Transfer Network URBAN ECHO, the City of Ghent joined the URBACT University 2026 in Cork, bringing together city practitioners and local stakeholders from across Europe to learn, exchange and explore new ways of working on integrated and participatory urban 
policies.
For Ghent, the University was not only an opportunity to learn from other European cities. It was also a chance to share the city’s own experience of 
building meaningful connections with residents and embedding participation in its day-to-day urban practice.

Six cities, one echo

An echo is not a copy. In its first stage, URBAN ECHO worked out which parts of Ghent's twenty years of neighbourhood renewal can actually travel to five very different cities, and why the answer matters for the next EU budget.

From Replication to Reinvention: How Urban Innovation Really Travels

The EmPowerIngUs Network Final Report.is finally out! Have a look at it :)

SPARK Partners Join URBACT Transfer Networks at URBACT University 2026 in Cork 25–27 August 2026

From 25 to 27 August 2026, partners of the SPARK Transfer Network joined representatives from URBACT Transfer Networks from across Europe for the URBACT University 2026, held in Cork, Ireland.

"Who is watching whom?" How seven different European cities are looking for common ground in biodiversity?

Water buffaloes are watching

Water buffaloes are chewing grass, grounded in the present moment. As they watch the visitors from seven European countries, the group of people is trying to understand the deeper purpose of these animals and the surrounding ecosystem. We are in the Slovenian town of Ormož, stepping into the world of biodiversity, Nature-based Solutions (NbS), and the revitalization of neglected natural landscapes. Welcome to our project.

Perugia sets an example in green space management: delegations from six European countries

On 10 February 2026, Perugia shared its experience in participatory green-space management with partners from across Europe as part of the URBACT PARKS (Participatory Actions for Resilient and Knowledgeable Stewardship) project.

The PARKS network brings together cities from the network to exchange knowledge and transfer successful approaches to the management of urban green spaces. During the visit, European partners explored two examples of Perugia’s participatory approach: Chico Mendes Park, where the Natura Urbana association manages the Ecomodule and organises activities for citizens, and the San Matteo degli Armeni complex, home to an urban garden managed by the Vivi il borgo citizens’ association for more than ten years.