Networks and cities' news

Transnational meeting in Voru - Going hybrid for the first time in SIBdev Network’s history

Between 14 and 16 September 2021 a long-awaited event for the SIBdev Network took place in Voru, Estonia and in the online space at the same time: the first hybrid transnational event in the partnership’s history. The meeting was the 5th since the launch of the 2^nd phase of the project, following a series of online sessions that started with the Activation meeting on 8-10 September 2020.

SIBdev at the 19th European Week of Regions

As a side event of the 19th European Week of Regions and Cities, SIBdev Network has organized an online info session on 12th October 2021, coordinated by its partner city Baia Mare. The aim of the event was to share knowledge on EU level about the concept of social investment bonds (SIBs) and to showcase two best practices from partner cities in two different areas of social policy: the SIB model for education and employment in Fundão, Portugal and the SIB for mitigating youth homelessness in Aarhus, Denmark.

SIBdev online transnational meetings - From Network to a Family

Transnational meetings are at the heart of all Networks, and SIBdev is no exception. The Covid pandemic has caused a great challenge in this regard which could only be overcome by introducing new tools for cooperation and socializing that contributed to both the effectiveness and the inspiring atmosphere of the gatherings from time to time.

"The Urban Industry 4.0 Talent Ecosystem: 7 Challenges"

"The Urban Industry 4.0 Talent Ecosystem: 7 Challenges" by Willem van Winden, URBACT Lead Expert

In many European cities, manufacturing industries are still important drivers of their economy. But the sector is in a process of transformation, under the influence of new technologies (robotisation, digitalization, new materials) and the urge to produce in a sustainable way. This transformation puts new demands on the skills and competences of people that work in the industry, but also on educational institutes in the city that educate the new talent flowing into the sector. How to create a local/urban talent ecosystem that is future proof? This article identifies seven key challenges that industrial cities face in this respect. It is based on in-depth interviews with companies, educational institutes, policymakers and experts in four industrial cities united in the AS-Transfer project: Bilbao, Bielsko-Biala, Tartu, and Timisoara.

RiConnect in 100 words

A brief overview on the RiConnect project: its vision, goals and partners - including a collection of content for broader information on each topic

Barnsley's Fierce Love Holds You Forever in it's Heart

These are the words, lit up in neon that welcome you when you walk into Barnsley’s new public space in the town centre.