Networks and cities' news

Portrait Series #1: Cheikhou Cissé’s Journey and His Work at El Pasico

Cheikhou Cissé's journey from Senegal to Spain is a remarkable story of resilience, adaptability, and commitment to helping others. Originally an IT specialist in Dakar, Cheikhou's career took an unexpected turn when he chose to stay in Europe after a brief visit, facing the challenges of life as an undocumented migrant. Overcoming many obstacles, he found his true calling in helping newcomers, and ended up running El Pasico, an organization dedicated to helping newly arrived migrants in Spain. Cheikhou's work is not just a career but a deeply fulfilling mission, marked by his dedication to improving the lives of those facing the struggles he knows only too well. 

Get to know Ireland’s first Natural Play Area!

Within the 3rd Core Network Meeting, the BiodiverCity partnership tested Limerick’s first Natural Play Area, which opened in 2022 at the Castletroy Urban Greenway, within the Go Green Routes Horizon 2020 project - the easy-to-adapt tool inspired all network partners.

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in Romania: The Role of RDCC in Shaping the Tech Ecosystem

In today’s fast-paced digital world, fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is more critical than ever for the growth and sustainability of businesses, particularly in the tech sector. The Romanian Diversity Chamber of Commerce (RDCC) has taken a leading role in integrating these values across Romania's business landscape. By supporting both startups and established companies, RDCC provides tools, resources, and opportunities to ensure that underrepresented groups have a strong presence and equal opportunities in the tech ecosystem. Through various initiatives, the RDCC is helping build a more inclusive future in the technology industry.

Cities After Dark - #2 Quarterly Journal

Focus on Circular Economies and Governance

The 4th meeting of the international partners within "Green Place, Let's Do It Together" network, took place in Bucharest, on June 18th and 19th. It was focused on integrated sustainable urban development strategies and emphasizing the pivotal role of circular economies in contemporary urban planning and development. This Core Network Meeting was also aimed at gathering feedback and drawing on the visiting partners’ relevant experience. The meeting was also followed by an insightful study visit on June 20th, focused on exploring the most relevant urban regeneration projects of formal industrial infrastructures in Bucharest.

Overall, these activity packed days have provided a much needed and robust platform for knowledge exchange and debate among the international project partners and local stakeholders. 

From a comprehensive blue and green infrastructure strategy to action plans supporting urban biodiversity specifically

BiodiverCity case study inspired by Limerick (Ireland)

Limerick, the Green Leaf City 

Preparing for the 2020 Green Leaf Award (the city’s commitment to better environmental outcomes was awarded by the competition aimed at cities and towns across Europe, with populations between 20,000 and 100,000 inhabitants) inspired Limerick City and County Council (LCCC) to make a Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy (GBI, 2023). It includes a range of actions to work with communities to contribute towards opportunities to conserve and enhance biodiversity and inform policy. This comprehensive GBI strategy was analysed in detail by the BiodiverCity partnership in June 2024, and they have found that a comprehensive strategy on green and blue infrastructure is key, simply because it sets the scene for several new policies targeting green infrastructure (e.g. on trees) and biodiversity. Let’s see how Limerick works in this field!