Networks and cities' news

Upcoming Transnational Meeting in Centar Sarajevo: Focus on Action and IAP finalization

To be held on 17-18 June 2025.

Reviving unused buildings: a collaborative model between public and private sectors

The URBACT Transfer Networks call is wrapping up soon, do you still need inspiration? Vilafranca del Penedès shows what’s possible when abandoned buildings become hubs of inclusion and renewal.

Sipping coffee in Sligo: How a commitment to community and attention to detail turned things around for downtown—one cup at a time

The year is 2013 and few residents of Sligo, Ireland have heard of a BID, or Business Improvement District. Stakeholders in the local commerce sector operated independently and seldomly in cooperation with the County Council. Fast forward to December 6, 2023 when a group of 26 individuals from ten different countries all over Europe touched down in Sligo to glean best practices for city centre management. Sligo’s remarkable success story provided a fitting backdrop for the first transnational meeting of the Cities@Heart URBACT Action Planning Network.

The Anti-Rumour Strategies as a tool to foster coexistence and reduce discrimination

BiodiverCity Project Represented at Key URBACT Event in Paris

The BiodiverCity project was proudly represented by its Lead Partner and Lead Expert at a dynamic three-day URBACT gathering in Paris, which concludes today. The event brought together Action Planning Networks and National URBACT Points for insightful exchanges, peer reviews, and collaborative reflections on Integrated Action Plans.

Throughout the event, participants explored best practices in storytelling, integrated urban development, and participatory planning methods. The BiodiverCity team actively contributed to and benefited from discussions aimed at enhancing the quality and impact of local action planning across Europe. The experience adds valuable momentum as the project continues its mission to foster greener and more inclusive urban spaces.

Exploring Smart Futures in Alba Iulia: EcoCore Core Network Meeting Energises Green Transition Momentum

From May 19–22, the historic city of Alba Iulia, Romania, hosted the latest EcoCore Core Network Meeting, gathering municipal leaders, sustainability experts, and URBACT partners to exchange ideas and accelerate the green transition in small cities. From the moment partners arrived, Alba Iulia’s trademark warmth and hospitality wrapped everyone in a sense of belonging. 
 

The event spotlighted Alba Iulia’s impressive journey as one of Romania’s most ambitious urban innovators - a city that has reinvented itself through vision, EU funding, and smart partnerships.