Networks and cities' news

How to achieve lasting impact through children’s civic engagement

In a powerful demonstration of how civic engagement can begin at early age and lead to meaningful change, the Municipality of West Mani (Greece) has shown that even the youngest citizens can influence the future of their community. 

Empowering Women and Young Innovators in Bielsko-Biała through TechDiversity

As part of the TechDiversity network, we spoke with Patrycja Węgrzyn, Senior International Project Specialist at the Regional Development Agency (ARRSA) of Bielsko-Biała, Poland to learn how her team is fostering a more inclusive and innovative tech ecosystem. The conversation highlighted the development of the "HerStory in IT" initiative, the role of FabLab, and how local collaboration is shaping the city’s digital future.

State of the art science meets traditional culture at Serpa’s ‘Nora’.

Or, the beauty of regenerating the Hydro-Heritage site of ‘Nora’ (Mourish for waterwheel) as cultural and natural asset. 

Peer Learning in Action: Insights from the GenProcure Review Process

Recently, the GenProcure network benefited from the support of Ad-Hoc Expert Franziska Singer, who assisted project partners in the production and review of their Integrated Action Plans and contributed to the design and facilitation of the GenProcure Transnational Meeting held in Újfehértó and Satu Mare. With the aim of sharing her reflections and insights, the following lines offer valuable inspiration as we move forward in implementing the actions we have envisioned.

REMOTE-IT Podcast: How cities create Integrated Action Plans (IAPs)

How Cities Create Integrated Action Plans – Lessons from the Remote-IT Podcast

In the latest episode of the Remote-IT Podcast, titled "How Cities Create Integrated Action Plans (IAPs)", host Mark Thomas, editor of The Dubrovnik Times, leads a conversation with URBACT experts and ULG coordinators reflect on their experiences of designing these strategic documents and what makes them truly integrated.

Our guests in this episode are URBACT Lead Experts Alisa Aliti Vlašić (Remote-IT) and Bela Kezy (C4TALENT), joined by ULG Coordinators from the Remote-IT project — Kerttu Ahuna and Markos Kourgiantakis.

For cities unfamiliar with URBACT or the concept of an IAP, this episode offers a valuable behind-the-scenes look into what it means to build a local plan that is collaborative, actionable, and future-proof. An Integrated Action Plan (IAP) is not just another policy document. It is a structured, participatory roadmap that brings together stakeholders across sectors to co-create realistic and relevant local solutions — guided by the URBACT methodology and toolbox.

“An IAP is not only about having a plan. It's about how you create it.”

GreenPlace cities commit themselves to developing more regeneration projects with green solutions and a participatory approach

During two days, on 13 and 15 May 2025, the Project Partners of the GreenPlace network exchanged and learned about strategies and activities for "recycling" unused urban areas, using social participation tools. Based on the life of the GreenPlace network and the two-day meeting, it has become clear that for such processes, it is crucial to take into account not only the regional specificities and conditions of each of the partners, but also to introduce greenery as a key factor in limiting climate change in urban areas.