Networks and cities' news

How Did Biodiversity Become a Core Organising Principle of Urban Development in Guimarães, Europe’s Green Capital 2026?

Urban biodiversity is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of sustainable city development. As cities continue to expand, the preservation and integration of biodiversity within urban landscapes become increasingly important, both for ecological balance and the well-being of residents. Guimarães, a city in northern Portugal, has emerged as a model for biodiversity-driven urban planning, integrating nature-based solutions into its governance framework.

Biodivercity at the Inclusion4Schools Final Event

As part of the BiodiverCity URBACT project, the Municipality of Vratsa participated in the final event of the Inclusion4Schools Horizon 2020 project, sharing their expertise in co-design and co-planning methodologies.

During the event, Vratsa representatives introduced the Urban Local Group (ULG) method, highlighting how collaborative urban planning fosters inclusive and sustainable solutions. Their experience in engaging diverse stakeholders in the co-creation of green and resilient urban spaces resonated with participants, reinforcing the importance of participatory approaches in both education and urban development.

By bridging social inclusion and environmental sustainability, Vratsa continues to play a key role in shaping people-centered urban policies within the BiodiverCity network.

How can we maximalise conditions to get the full potential of exchange and learning?

Thinking about “evergreen” challenges at the mid-term of the BiodiverCity network 

“Very enriching experience for our municipality”. “The significant guidance provided by the URBACT Secretariat is very much appreciated”. “The inputs from the lead expert, ad-hoc experts and other partners are valued as extremely useful”. Based on this general feedback, the BiodiverCity learning journey is very positive. Yet, there is a huge gap between partner cities’ understanding of the challenge as well as their willingness to act through an integrated action plan. How can we make the learning journey better if everything seems alright?

We all know that integrated action plans can be game-changers and can be made for the desk drawer. It is all about commitment. Commitment from all participants of the learning journey. We all do our best, but we must confess, that despite all the efforts to make the learning process as effective as possible, there are factors we cannot influence.

Together with the host city, during several preparatory meetings, you put together an interesting agenda with a good mixture of knowledge, interaction and social elements. You do serious desk research to prepare for the upcoming meeting. You explain to the partners what to expect and who should come to the meeting. On the spot, you are active, you try to speak to, motivate and inspire everyone. But you cannot make sure that the local speaker will properly formulate the right message, enabling listeners to get it appropriately (if they are the right people to get that specific message). You organise exercises to capture the learning to push participants to share the lesson learnt at home with local stakeholders. But you cannot be everywhere…

These thoughts are in my mind, when coming back from the Mid-Term Review Meeting of the BiodiverCity action planning network, which works on urban biodiversity and nature-based solutions, relatively new themes in URBACT. No doubt, the project is on the right track, partners are satisfied with most segments of the network, and they also shared those thematic and methodological fields they would like to learn more about. 

When I arrive home, there is a clear action plan in my mind on how to tackle those thematic and methodological fields. Yet, I am still thinking about how to do better, especially now, before the most active semester of the network, since 2025 Spring-Summer will host Testing Actions, BiodiverCity Festivals, the finalisation of the action plans and in some cities, the City Nature Challenge will be also organised.

The EU Nature Restoration Law: A Bold Step Forward, but Are We Ready?

In a world where climate urgency and biodiversity loss are no longer distant concerns but pressing realities, the European Union has taken a pivotal leap with its Nature Restoration Law. Designed to reverse decades of environmental degradation, this landmark legislation could set a global standard for restoring ecosystems and combating climate change. But with bold ambition comes significant challenges.

Empowering Cities for Climate Resilience: The Mission Implementation Platform (MIP4Adapt)

In a world increasingly grappling with the challenges of climate change, European cities are turning to innovative solutions to adapt and thrive. The Mission Implementation Platform (MIP4Adapt) is at the forefront of these efforts, providing robust support for urban areas to achieve climate resilience.

Launched under the EU’s Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, MIP4Adapt is a comprehensive initiative designed to assist cities and regions in becoming climate-resilient by 2030. This platform offers tailored guidance, tools, and resources, enabling municipalities to effectively address climate-related risks such as heatwaves, floods, and water scarcity.

Have you heard about the Berlin Urban Nature Pact?

Joining this new initiative to promote biodiversity in your city is perhaps the best New Year's Resolution your municipality should do…

The Berlin Urban Nature Pact is an alliance of cities to implement global biodiversity goals locally. Signatory cities will implement targeted and visible actions, projects, and processes by 2030. Watch their short video here.