The event facilitated a comprehensive transfer of knowledge between cities and towns, extensive networking and new partnership-building opportunities.
Central to this was a showcasing of some 273 local actions and solutions developed as part of 30 Action Planning Networks (2023-2025). This occurred in a marketplace exhibition on Eleftheria (Freedom) Square, providing a warm and sunny backdrop to the concentrated efforts to inspire one another!
The event occurred across two other major sites, the Royal Hall and the Old GSP Square with both days featuring plenary sessions, thematic sessions and panels, and a fun celebration to round off the event.
As well as busying themselves in the marketplace, Irish partners (from Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, Meath County Council, Limerick City and County Council, and Sligo Business Improvement District) engaged in a number of panel discussions, presenting their thematic and project insights, ranging from Greening Urban Economies, Nature-based Solution, the Local Economy, and Youth.
Photo features Ciara O hAodha (Fingal County Council) & Mary D'Arcy (Meath County Council) positioned second and third from left, respectively
Prior to concluding the event, there was an informative panel discussion on the role of cities in achieving EU priorities and a discussion about future funding opportunities ahead of the next programming period, with the EUI and ESPON featuring.
Cllr Kieran McCarthy of Cork City Council and Ireland’s Committee of the Regions delegation contributed extensively to this discussion. The panel among other items discussed the possibility of how future European programmes could complement each other to best provide cities with an accessible and attractive offer during a period of global uncertainly.
Cllr Kieran McCarthy
The Festival closed with a brilliant celebration of the two days at the Old GSP Square and we already look forward to the next version sometime in 2028!