Networks and cities' news

Green Public Procurement & Socially Responsible Public Procurement

Green Public Procurement (GPP) and Socially Responsible Public Procurement (SRPP) bring environmental, societal and economic benefits at the local level, and can help drive the market towards sustainability. By taking smart decisions when purchasing products and services, public authorities achieve real value for the public purse. 

PEER REVIEW: An useful learning tool during the implementation of activities in the INT-HERIT cities

Peer Review is a helpful and frequently used methodology in the URBACT Programme as well as within the frame of the INT-HERIT Project.

Cities and social media - The Genoa Final Conference

In this period of general crisis of social media, cities offer important solutions to promote the civic use of platforms which can increase economic development, civic participation and local marketing in urban contexts. The experiences of ten European cities, partners of the European Interactive Cities network, funded under the URBACT program, will be the core of the final conference of the project, which will take place in Genoa from 11 to 13 April.

Social Inclusion Successful initiatives in Turin

June 2018, by Valeria Vacchiano, Tiziana Eliantonio, Fabrizio Barbiero

Following the previous article about the critical situations of some Turin’s areas, we present some projects/initiatives that are trying to tackle some of the problems faced by the citizens and the local society.

Nantes - ‘‘Attracting talent with and for digital tools useful for all”

The City of Nantes chose to digital as a priority. It provides startups to develop their activities in a
simplified way, and now have a strong local dynamic. In 2014, Nantes obtained the Metropolis
French Tech label. Since then, a lot of start-up companies set up here and many posts are created.
In Nantes, more than 1000 posts are vacant. Higher education of the region cannot supply enough
young graduate compared to the needs of the companies. The City has to work hard to resolve this
problem. With the Local Group, the City tries to implement a strengthened cooperation with public
authority, NGO’s, startups and inhabitants, in order to develop and attract Gen Y creative talents in
the digital sector.

IMPROVING EMPLOYABILITY AND LABOUR INSERTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE AS A STRATEGY FOR TALENT RETENTION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY

Employability and labour insertion of young people is a critical issue in the current socio-economic scenario. This is the reason why public authorities and institutions have to play an important role and not to avoid the responsibility they have with society. In this sense, the education system in general and the University system in particular are called to play a key role in order to achieve this objective. However, they have also to consider the “alma mater” character of the University in the sense that its role is to engender and change people through science and knowledge and train free citizens with democratic convictions, critical thinking and ethical commitment. We also have to bear in mind that the mission of the University is to train students in those skills and competences demanded by employers, thus contributing to the socio-economic development of the area.