Networks and cities' news

Follow our progress

Since our network was officially approved in June 2023, one key milestone includes the publication of the CSG Baseline and Roadmap document where the network’s framework for Sustainability Governance is presented and all the partner profiles analysed. The study draws on partner visits carried out by Lead Expert Stina Heikkilä and Lead Partner coordinator Ville Taajamaa between August and November 2023.

On this page, you will find the full Baseline document for download, and be able to follow quarterly updates through the CSG Field Notes where we report on key activities and leanings from the implementation of the roadmap.     

Webinar: Shaping our City Stories - how SDGs can be used strategically by cities

In this first webinar, we will explore how SDGs can be used strategically by cities to foster holistic sustainability, regardless of their starting point. We will learn about the support provided by UN-Habitat and the URBACT programme to cities around Europe and the world, and hear real testimonials from cities about how they are tackling sustainable urban development. We will also discuss how the role of local governments can be further strengthened by listening to cities’ experiences. 

Shaping our City Stories – an event series by the URBACT Cities for Sustainability Governance network

Europe and the world rely on dedicated and determined local leaders. Cities of all sizes create inclusive and sustainable future, when planned and managed well. 

9 Cities – 9 Stories: Cities for Sustainability Governance

Nine European cities pioneer Sustainability Governance to close the action gap towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

“Cities are as strong as their communities”. This was one of the main lessons drawn by Lead Partner coordinator Ville Taajamaa, responsible for 2030 Agenda work in the City of Espoo, after the first in-person meeting of the Cities for Sustainability Governance (CSG) network held in Tallinn, 15-16 November 2023. “After hours and hours of crunching expert urban sustainability talk, work and walk, the most important thing we had in our mind was our citizens. How cool is that!”, he concluded.

For 2.5 years, nine partner cities – Agios Dimitrios (Greece), Braga (Portugal), Espoo (Finland), Gabrovo (Bulgaria), Jablonec nad Nisou (Czech Republic), Kosice (Slovakia), Mannheim (Germany), Tallinn (Estonia) and València (Spain) – will join forces to discover and design how ‘sustainability governance’ can answer to the well needed renewal of commitment, trust, action and hope, to achieve the world we want by 2030.