What organisations need to think about to better engage with SMEs in public procurement

As cities confront the economic devastation wrought by the Covid-19 crisis, the need to rebuild local economies that are strong, resilient and inclusive is evident.  SMEs will have a critical role to play in this process but will need support to access the opportunities public procurement will offer.

A school canteen to change food behaviours

There is a typical Portuguese phrase “É de pequenino que se torce o pepino”, which means something like “it’s since a young age that good behaviors can be learned”.

The school meals have a huge power to change behaviors on more healthy and sustainable food. By promoting good meals, we are giving to the new generations the knowledge for their future food choices. In parallel, we are also contributing to improve food knowledge in their families for the present time.

CITY PROFILE: SUCEAVA, ROMANIA

In this period of confinement, take the opportunity to learn more about one of our more active partner cities: Suceava in Romania. So far, you will have the opportunity to visit it virtually but Suceava's team is waiting for you to show this vibrant city...

Better coordination through “Volunteering Cities”

Every year, since 2008, several non-profit organizations and ecologic entrepreneurs organize in October an ecologic fair in Altea. Its aim was always to create a meeting point of sustainable and ecologic initiatives in order to facilitate discussion and exchange of ideas. One of the promoters of these initiatives is a member of the ULG of Altea (Association EcoAltea) and in 2019, it proposed to all ULG members to participate in it, creating a space for social and volunteering associations.   

Aarhus: music as driver for strong learning communities

Aarhus School of Music is strengthening well-being among children and young people by introducing music concepts for social change. A paradigm shift has begun inspired by methods from L’Hospitalet in Spain.  

Event, Action and Process: the three key areas of Veszprém project with a special focus on culture

The good practice Innova.To, an important landmark for all the Municipalities involved in the project, has been adopted by Veszprém and adapted to the special local context, with a particular focus on cultural services, yet without forgetting the importance of community building and institutional development. 

By Edoardo Paradisi

How are URBACT cities reacting to Covid-19?

At a time when the impact of the pandemic has changed our way of life, cities are showing their resilience.

Typology of house owners

“For reactivating vacant buildings it could be useful to identify owners types in order to adjust your approach.” (Kristijan Radojcic, 02 December 2019)

Since the beginning of the project (Agentur StadtWohnen/Housing Agency Chemnitz) we have had countless contacts with owners of vacant and decaying buildings. In our efforts to activate these owners, to refurbish their buildings or to sell them to interested parties willing and able to renovate, we got to know the most different types of owners and people. Depending on the type, different approaches proved to be successful. Or not.
 

Porto “Switzerland” Room, a neutral physical space to jointly analyse challenges at work and figure out solutions

Municipality of Porto vision fits well with Innovato-r framework: to use creative and participative methods to enhance municipal employees’ engagement and motivation and to reach continuous improvement and process optimisation within the Municipality.

By Edoardo Paradisi 

Explaining the evident: community building needs actions, not (only) words

The successful transfer of the good practice calls for socially innovative municipalities that start with small and concrete steps like conditioning and stimulation. It is a way more complex situation to expect people being active and even proactive towards their own environment. It is always better to invite people not only to talk about their neighbourhood, but to actually DO something. We proved this for partner cities by inviting them to DO something on the main square of Gheorgheni.