Residents reunited
Among the sea of inspiring faces and new ideas, some familiar smiles stood out. Representatives from the “Residents of the Future” network — including teams from Šibenik (Croatia), Saint-Quentin (France), Saldus (Latvia), Plasencia (Spain), and Mangualde (Portugal) — found themselves happily reunited in Wrocław.
After bonding just a few weeks earlier during the transnational meeting in Alba Iulia, this unexpected get-together at the City Festival felt like a perfect continuation of that energy. Over coffee, workshops and spontaneous hallway catch-ups, the RoF network members shared updates, brainstormed ideas, and, of course, took a few selfies to mark the occasion.
Time for celebration for Šibenik and Saldus
For some members of the network, this festival was also about celebration. Cities of Šibenik and Saldus had the honor (and the pressure!) of representing their towns at the grand showcase of URBACT Good Practices, a highlight of the festival programme. Only 116 cities across Europe received this recognition in 2024, and their work is now officially recognised as something other cities can learn from and build on.
Šibenik was awarded for its impressive management and revitalisation of its historic fortresses through the public institution Tvrđava kulture Šibenik (Fortress of Culture Šibenik). What once were neglected military structures are now vibrant cultural hubs hosting concerts, exhibitions, and public events — all while being financially self-sustaining. It’s a stellar example of how heritage can become a driver for contemporary urban life. The City of Šibenik was represented in Wrocław by Residents of the Future network coordinator, Nikolina Gracin, who accepted this important recognition on behalf of the Fortress of Culture.
Saldus, on the other hand, was recognised for its “Experimentation Tool for Cooperation” — a practical approach that brings citizens, institutions, and businesses together to test new ideas for community development. By creating an open, safe space for experimentation, the city of Saldus has nurtured a stronger sense of local identity and citizen engagement.
City festival as an incentive and motivation for the final phase of the project
Seeing two “Residents of the Future” cities celebrated for their work was a proud moment for the whole network. It reminded us all of why we do what we do — and how important it is to share, support, and learn from each other. With many more transnational meetings ahead, the brief but joyful reunion in Wrocław added a personal touch to an already inspiring event. The “Residents of the Future” are not just building better cities — they’re also building lasting friendships across Europe. And who knows? Maybe the next spontaneous catch-up is just around the corner.
