Collaborating on Integrated Action Plans
One of the central elements of the meeting was a peer review of Integrated Action Plans (IAPs). Working in small groups, partners reflected on lessons learned, compared progress, and identified ways to strengthen their strategies. These real-time exchanges highlighted the value of collaboration within the network and provided practical insights to refine ongoing and future projects.
Commitment to Green Urban Regeneration
Political discussions were also central to the programme. Delegates stressed the importance of nature-based solutions, circular economy principles, and citizen involvement in urban regeneration. The meeting concluded with the signing of the a non-binding commitment of cities for green regeneration, through which all participating cities confirmed their ambition to advance sustainable and inclusive urban development.
João Miguel Henriques, Mayor of Vila Nova de Poiares, underlined the importance of this process:
“The participation of our Municipality in this type of European network is essential to position ourselves with a forward-looking approach. We are committed to building a greener, more inclusive territory, better prepared for the challenges of climate change and social cohesion. Projects such as the future Green Park clearly demonstrate this ambition.”
On the Ground: Local Green Innovations
Participants had the opportunity to see the municipality’s good practices in action during a series of site visits. A highlight was the future Parque Verde, a large-scale municipal project co-financed by EU funds, which will transform a buffer zone between industrial and residential areas into a multifunctional park promoting ecological restoration, leisure, and well-being.
Other visits showcased how Vila Nova de Poiares is embedding environmental awareness into daily life:
The Nature 3.0 app, linking outdoor sports with environmental education through QR codes on local flora, fauna, and heritage.
The Planeta Aquarela School of the Environment, where a renovated primary school serves as a hub for intergenerational environmental learning, including traditional crafts and agriculture.
A central recreational park, co-managed with local businesses, designed to combine leisure, sport, and environmental awareness.
These initiatives inspired participants by showing how even smaller municipalities can lead with practical, replicable, and community-oriented green solutions.
Sharing Results Across the Network
Cities also presented their recent Testing Actions, from creative approaches to environmental education to new models of community engagement. These exchanges reinforced the strength of the URBACT method, enabling cities to test, adapt, and apply solutions in different contexts.
Looking Ahead
The Core Network Meeting in Vila Nova de Poiares highlighted the potential of small and medium-sized municipalities to deliver ambitious green regeneration projects. Delegates left with fresh ideas, stronger collaboration, and renewed political support for transforming forgotten urban spaces into greener, more inclusive, and vibrant places for their communities.
The URBACT programme, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), continues to be a vital tool for supporting sustainable urban development across Europe. Vila Nova de Poiares contributes proudly to this network, sharing its vision and experiences for a more resilient, cohesive, and participatory Europe.
