Networks and cities' news

The Neighbourhood Councils of Agen : a Citizen public service delegation

In 2008, in order to provide answers in terms of participatory democracy and to improve on all questions of local works, the City of Agen decided to create Neighborhood Councils, even though there is no legal framework for it compelled to do so.

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« Finally, those who know their neighborhoods best are the people who live there. »

Jean DIONIS DU SEJOUR
Mayor of Agen

Gdansk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area

Our partner Gdansk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area (OMG-G-S) fosters the cooperation between the tri-city and its surrounding municipalities. Home to the main port in Poland and a vibrant economy, it is the fastest growing area of the country, posing new challenges for mobility and urban development.

BEING PART OF THE ULG: A REAL EXPERIENCE OF PARTICIPATION

The "Active Citizens -citizens participation in small and medium EU cities" project in which the Municipality of Cento is taking part, aims at giving voice to citizens and possibility for intervention in decision-making processes concerning their own city, through the use of new methodologies and new digital tools. Never before in this URBACT project has it been important to set up the Urbact Local Group (ULG), a group of stakeholders that, from the very beginning supports the Municipal Administration in the project’s operative steps, offering their own contribution and point of view in a continuous exchange with the representatives of the Municipality.

Through meetings and workshop activities, sometimes with a somewhat "alternative" approach, the members of the group tackle together the issues at the center of the project, each bringing the added value of their own background. If there is no doubt that in a path lasting over two years it is a hard challenge to keep the attention and motivation of the group members alive, it is equally true that being part of the group is a demanding choice requiring time, effort and ability to get involved. Nevertheless, actively participating in the ULG, however demanding it may be, can also represent an enriching opportunity at a civic and above all personal level.

This is what Michele Novi, one of the "historical" members of the ULG, tells us in this interview. He has enthusiastically joined since the beginning of the project and here he reports his personal experience.

ROOF Bootcamp in Braga (PT)

The Municipality of Braga held on 7 and 8 February, the Bootcamp Roof - Integrated Action Plan Design Experience, at the Hotel Axis Ponte de Lima. This meeting led by the Urbact Local Group (ULG) of the European Network #urbactroof - Ending Homeleness, allowed the co-construction of the Integrated Action Plan for the House of Skills Project, an innovative transitional housing solution for homeless people, through a program to improve personal, social and professional skills, in collaboration with the various social organizations in the city of Braga, which operate in this field.

First Urbact Local Group Meeting in Udine. The start of a playful work together

The first Urbact Local Group of Udine has started today with a virtual meeting. The first important step of a playful jurney.

Public Policies & Governance for Territorial Food Systems

The transition towards territorial food systems requires new public policies that consider innovative and effective formulas for participatory governance, among other facilitating elements. Food democracy impacts citizen empowerment when it comes to bringing together actors for this necessary action for change. The local perspective and the consolidation of participatory structures can be nurtured through networks such as those promoted by the URBACT Programme through Local Action Groups.