Paris gave us three days to pause — not to slow down, but to look more closely at where we are and where we’re heading. The URBACT Innovation Transfer Networks “Prepare for Re-Use Stage” meeting marked the last network-wide moment of collective reflection for Citisense before moving from planning into action, towards testing actions, continuity and investment planning. Together with peers, experts and communication teams, we used this time to work, think, test and learn side by side.
What stood out was not a single session or tool, but the atmosphere created by sharing the room with others navigating similar questions. How do we prepare our solutions for reuse? What really makes transfer work in different contexts? And how do we communicate impact in a way that is both honest and useful?
Learning happened through doing — and through listening. Practical exercises helped clarify ideas, while open exchanges allowed space for doubts, adjustments and new perspectives. Conversations moved easily from structured sessions to informal moments, reinforcing the value of learning beyond slides and templates.
Peer exchange played a central role. Hearing how other networks approach challenges around funding, storytelling and long-term impact helped put our own work into perspective. It reminded us that reuse is not about replication, but about understanding conditions, relationships and readiness.
The meeting also offered a moment of alignment. By connecting content, strategy and communication, the Citisense team gained clearer insight into what comes next — and how shared learning can strengthen the network as it moves forward.
We leave Paris better connected, more confident in our direction, and with renewed energy to turn collective reflection into concrete action. Not with all the answers, but with the right questions — and a stronger community to explore them together.
