Networks and cities' news

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

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

C4TALENT Vilanova i la Geltrú Meeting: A Resounding Success

A truly inspiring event held in Spain, between 28-30 May.

Cities paving the way for a circular transition

In 2020 and in line with the Communication on the European Green Deal, the European Commission adopted the new Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP 2). The ultimate goal is to stimulate markets for climate-neutral and circular products and services, modernize the EU’s economy and reap the benefits of the transition in the EU and beyond. The seven key areas set by the Commission CEAP 2 to achieve a circular economy are exactly plastics, textiles, e-waste, food, water and nutrients, packaging, batteries and vehicles, buildings and construction.

LET'S GO CIRCULAR!: How the action planning starts

What a first quarter for the LET'S GO CIRCULAR! Action Planning network. We started to discuss approaches on European cities's way to transition from linear to circular economies and shared some first best cases. 

Transforming Tomorrow: Nykarleby's Digital Journey with Åbo Akademi University

Embarking on the Metacity journey together with the city of Nykarleby, Åbo Akademi University has identified a set of markers that describe the specific context of the future prospects of a small town in a fairly remote area. The prospect of a metaverse of virtual solutions and services sets the stage for rethinking the current state of public services and processes.

The recently adopted new city strategy, Nykarleby 2040, is guided by the slogan “Dream big in a small town” as an overarching aim. These big dreams are life-sized rather than utopian. The task ahead, as reflected by the coming Metacity integrated action plan, is to identify and map the paths toward that aim. The new virtual world may seem abstract, and our goal is to make it concrete and adapt the tools to our needs rather than the other way around. Without implementation plans for the launch of activities, an overarching strategy may become counterproductive.

The Bee-friendly city movement is about spreading knowledge on urban beekeeping

BeePathNet Reloaded is about spreading knowledge on urban beekeeping to additional four EU cities that have proven its environmentally friendly orientation and would like to put special emphasis on creating a supporting environment for pollinators. Ljubljana, as a lead partner, will share the Bee-friendly city movement knowledge with Bansko in Bulgaria, Bergamo in Italy, Osijek in Croatia and Sosnowiec in Poland. This movement started in 2018 with Amarante, Portugal, Bydgoszcz, Poland, Cesena, Italy, Hegyvidék – XII District of Budapest, Hungary and Nea Propontida, Greece. The opportunity to transfer knowledge to additional four EU cities is URBACT’s special award for our hard work within BeePathNet partnership of and all the “honey” that all of us are putting in the preservation of the urban environment - place that we share with the bees.