Networks and cities' news

Beyond car dependency & brain drain: How Ormož is striving for a more sustainable future

From February 3rd to 6th, 2025, urban practitioners and stakeholders from the URBACT EcoCore network gathered in Ormož, Slovenia for a transnational partner visit. The meeting provided an opportunity to explore innovative solutions in investment attraction, sustainable mobility, business zone development and industrial transformation. These topics resonate with cities across Europe facing economic transitions, talent retention challenges, and sustainability goals. In this article we share some of the key takeaways on these topics from our meeting in Ormoz. 

From Transnational Inspiration to Local Exploration: The Importance of Local Study Visits and Stakeholder Involvement

Hearing examples from other cities and seeking inspiration from different contexts has always been a cornerstone of URBACT networks. Transnational exchange and examples can provide excellent inspiration for local actions. URBACT provides the framework and motivation for sharing international case examples, however seeking local examples of practice is something that can often be overlooked in the day-to-day of local municipal activities. It offers value though, and is something that is well worth the effort.

Inspired by things they had seen and heard from other partner cities in the Digi-Inclusion network, the project team in the Lead Partner City of Mollet del Vallès decided to undertake a series of study visits to other municipalities in their region, during the autumn of 2024. The stories they heard from projects partners in Bolgna (IT) and Boulogne-Sur-Mer (FR) during transnational exchange provided the basis for some new thinking, and the Mollet team were keen to explore this further locally with their ULG. 

Having developed an idea for introducing some form of “digital facilitators” into the city as part of their URBACT Integrated Action Plan, they sought out local examples of cities who had this type of approach. Through EU awards and recognition schemes, they identified three regional examples, in the municipalities of Hospitalet de Llobregat, Sant Cugat, and Granollers, all in the Barcelona province.

Making every step count: Last-Mile Logistics for City Centres

According to Laetitita Dablanc, Director of the Gustave Eiffel University Logistics City Chair, “city logistics represents more than the mere transportation of goods within urban areas. It can be defined as any service provision contributing to efficiently managing the movements of goods in cities and providing innovative responses to customer demands (City Logistics).

Follow our progress

Since our network was officially approved in June 2023, one key milestone includes the publication of the CSG Baseline and Roadmap document where the network’s framework for Sustainability Governance is presented and all the partner profiles analysed. The study draws on partner visits carried out by Lead Expert Stina Heikkilä and Lead Partner coordinator Ville Taajamaa between August and November 2023.

On this page, you will find the full Baseline document for download, and be able to follow quarterly updates through the CSG Field Notes where we report on key activities and leanings from the implementation of the roadmap.     

Follow our progress

Since our network was officially approved in June 2023, one key milestone includes the publication of the CSG Baseline and Roadmap document where the network’s framework for Sustainability Governance is presented and all the partner profiles analysed. The study draws on partner visits carried out by Lead Expert Stina Heikkilä and Lead Partner coordinator Ville Taajamaa between August and November 2023.

On this page, you will find the full Baseline document for download, and be able to follow quarterly updates through the CSG Field Notes where we report on key activities and leanings from the implementation of the roadmap.     

Biodivercity at the Inclusion4Schools Final Event

As part of the BiodiverCity URBACT project, the Municipality of Vratsa participated in the final event of the Inclusion4Schools Horizon 2020 project, sharing their expertise in co-design and co-planning methodologies.

During the event, Vratsa representatives introduced the Urban Local Group (ULG) method, highlighting how collaborative urban planning fosters inclusive and sustainable solutions. Their experience in engaging diverse stakeholders in the co-creation of green and resilient urban spaces resonated with participants, reinforcing the importance of participatory approaches in both education and urban development.

By bridging social inclusion and environmental sustainability, Vratsa continues to play a key role in shaping people-centered urban policies within the BiodiverCity network.