Aligned with NUPs events, on October 17th 2023, DIGI-INCLUSION network Lead Partner, Mollet de Vallès municipality, actively participated in the NUP event, held within the framework of the II Spanish Urban Forum in Granada. This gathering brought together a diverse group of cities and non-cities involved in the Action Planning Networks (APNs) of the IV URBACT program. The event provided a platform for sharing experiences, addressing challenges, and fostering collaboration among the Spanish beneficiaries.
The round table titled "The new networks of the URBACT IV program: A success for Spanish municipalities" featured representatives from five beneficiary municipalities, including Mollet de Vallès, and Mr Arechederra from the General Directorate of European Funds. It was centered around the difficulties faced in drafting the Action Plan, particularly in managing timelines and aligning objectives across diverse administrative contexts. Participants recognized the complexity of sustaining focus groups throughout the plan's lifecycle as a crucial challenge.
An internal meeting was held as well, where representatives from 15 municipalities, including Mollet de Vallès, gathered. This session facilitated a dialogue between the beneficiaries, the National URBACT Point in Spain, and representatives from the General Directorate of European Funds of the Ministry of Finance and Public Function. During the meeting, each municipality presented a brief overview of their network and the ongoing projects, revealing that beneficiaries are eager to leverage the internet for implementing innovative proposals, sharing knowledge, and exploring realistic and sustainable approaches. Financing for long-term project continuity was also highlighted as a priority. Participants emphasized the need for ongoing support from the Secretariat and the National URBACT Points in plan consolidation, evaluation, and securing additional financing. Furthermore, they stressed the importance of the National Point as a facilitator for exchanging experiences, methodologies, and actions among Spanish beneficiaries dealing with similar administrative challenges.
The fruitful discussions and insights gained during these sessions will contribute to a comprehensive report. Overall, the Mollet de Vallès team found the experience to be necessary and positive, showcasing the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange monitored by UNPs actions. The results will undoubtedly inform future strategies and actions in the ongoing projects and network development.
For more information about this event, please watch the summary video by clicking here.
