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The first URBACT IV call for networks was recently launched, yet many cities have already started sharing their own projects' ideas.

The call for Action Planning Networks, which opened on 9 January 2023, gives cities from the EU Member States, Partner States, and five IPA countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) the occasion to embark on a unique 2.5 years journey. Throughout this time, partners from approved networks will learn and exchange on a specific topic, experiment solutions and, ultimately, co-design integrated strategies to face challenges at local-level.

While this all might sound a bit abstract, it is always easy to relate to concrete, real examples. The Partner Search Tool invites potential candidates – and beyond – to get a glimpse of what an URBACT network is about. In addition, the tool is very telling as to what are the current urban hot topics that municipalities and other structures are most interested in.

See below what’s on the plate for cities!

BREAKING ISOLATION

Today social connections are fundamental when building communities. However, it is clear that many people are isolated and, contrary to what you might think, the people who are affected by this problem might not be the first ones you have in mind. Ever since the pandemic, the city of Agen (FR) has noted a particular rise in cases of loneliness among not only elder people, but also single-parent families and even youngsters. This project idea looks at building a partnership to focus in the question of the social bond between people. How can citizen participation promote social links among young and old, and how can citizens be involved to recreate ties and facilitate them? If your city faces a similar challenge, express your interest in joining this bid!

RESIDENTS OF THE FUTURE

Urban shrinkage is a common phenomenon that many small and medium-sized cities struggle with. To tackle this issue, the city of Sibenik (HR) is looking for partners who would like to join their project idea and explore new ways to increase city attractiveness. The overall objective is to invite and retain new investments and new residents. It can be particularly challenging for towns and smaller cities to redefine goals and practical measures to create more citizen-centric urban areas. The project also mentions how sustainable solutions can be reconsidered using digital transformation to enable green growth and improve local living conditions. That's a good example of how the URBACT IV crosscutting priorities (green - digital - gender) can be taken into account in a network idea and approached by network candidates.

LIBERATING WOMEN

Gender inequality can significantly impact work, travel, play, health and life in urban environments. Unfortunately, women and girls experience the majority of such inequalities, which are so often considered as an afterthought. To move away from stereotypes, to break habits embedded in all spheres, even the most unexpected, the metropolitan area of Clermont Auvergne (FR) has created a project idea to tackle such challenges. The goal is to free women at different urban scales and dimensions: public spaces, education, jobs, health... Policies in favour of gender equality are mainly focused on reducing exclusion, discrimination and unfair treatment by lifting women up. Join their effort to create awareness and empower women!

PARTICIPATION IN VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES

Promoting mechanisms of public participation in vulnerable communities is at the heart of this network proposal. This project idea aims to constitute itself as a tool for the involvement of those who are usually not heard in the process of public consultations, co-decision-making, among other activities that are led by municipalities. The city of Oeiras (PT) seeks potential partners to leverage the social inclusion of residents, the feeling of belonging to the community, the involvement in issues that concern them as public spaces and common infrastructures. There's an interesting take on how the project can translate the Sustainable Development Goals 11 (Sustainable cities and communities) and 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions) to the local conditions.

WELCOMING MIGRANTS

Migration has been for a long time a hot topic in Europe and it will, most certainly, continue continue in the future. Despite common and individual efforts, countries still struggle with policies to welcome migrants, even if there are successful initiatives-led at local level. City authorities all over Europe are creating new ways of taking care of new-comers with dignity and building springboard territories, facilitating their inclusion is as much a social issue as it is one of territorial resilience to future global crises. The Seine-Saint-Denis County Council (FR) aims to exchange and learn from European peers to ensure migrants have their human rights respected and to facilitate their integration in urban areas. Does your share the same ambition? Express your interest in this project idea right now!

The call for Action Planning Networks opened on 9 January 2023! Still have questions about it? Then save the date for our webinars:

Action Planning Network label

17 January, from 10.00 to 11.00 CET: The call in a nutshell

19 January, from 10.00 to 11.00 CET: How to build a strong partnership for an Action Planning Network

7 February, from 10.00 to 11.00 CET: Exchange and learning during the network journey

7 March, from 10.00 to 11.00 CET: Time to submit your application: tech & troubleshooting

Submitted by URBACT on 05/01/2023

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