Networks and cities' news

ReDAN partners meet in Ormož to explore how degraded areas can become places for nature and people

What can happen when a degraded industrial area is no longer seen only as a problem, but as an opportunity? This question guided the kick-off meeting of the URBACT IV Transfer Network ReDAN – Reviving Degraded Areas for Nature and People, held in Ormož, Slovenia, from 4 to 7 May 2026.

The meeting was hosted by the Research and Development Centre RRC Ormož (Slovenia), Lead Partner of the network, and brought together partners from the Municipality of Alcanena (Portugal), Limerick City and County Council (Ireland), the Municipality of Srebrenica (Bosnia and Herzegovina), the Municipality of Bogovinje (North Macedonia), the Municipality of Priboj (Serbia), and the Municipality of Yaremche (Ukraine).

Although the partners come from very different local contexts, they all share a similar challenge: how to give new life to degraded, abandoned or underused areas in a way that benefits both nature and local communities.

2nd SPARK Transnational Meeting at Roeselare, Belgium

Last week on the 27th and the 28th of May, the SPARK partners gathered in Roeselare for two productive days of learning, exchange and collaboration focused on the strategic use of public procurement.

The International URBACT Network We Create Space Officially Launched in Ostrava

Ostrava, 26 February 2026 – Representatives of seven European cities and metropolitan areas gathered in Ostrava on 25–26 February 2026 for the official launch of the international project We Create Space, co-funded by the European Programme URBACT.

We Create Space Network Meeting in Koszalin Focuses on Municipal Grant Programmes and Public Engagement

The second Transnational Meeting of the We Create Space – URBACT Transfer Network (5-6 May 2026) brought together partners from across Europe in Koszalin (Poland) to advance cooperation and share practical knowledge on participatory public space development. The two-day programme addressed local grant schemes, public engagement, and effective programme delivery, while further strengthening cooperation between cities.

YOUth SPACE LINK in Alba Iulia!

On 17–18 February, representatives of the URBACT Transfer Network YOUth SPACE LINK, including coordinators from Lublin and the network expert, visited Alba Iulia, one of the network partner cities.

YOUth SPACE LINK across Europe

At the beginning of March, project coordinators from the Social Participation Office of the City of Lublin carried out visits to three partner cities of the URBACT Transfer Network YOUth SPACE LINK: Plasencia (Spain), Torres Vedras (Portugal) and Sofia (Bulgaria). The visits provided an opportunity to explore local youth-focused initiatives and exchange experiences on the development and management of youth spaces. The network’s Lead Expert also took part in the visits.