The call for applications for the URBACT Pioneers Accelerator, an 18-month learning programme to support cities in the Western Balkans, has successfully closed, attracting widespread interest from local institutions. The programme, which aims to equip cities in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia with tools for sustainable urban development, will now enter the selection phase.
High level of commitment from communities across the region.
A total of 79 applications were submitted, demonstrating a strong regional engagement. The breakdown by type of institution includes:
• Municipal administrations: 67 applications
• Local agencies: 10 applications
• Metropolitan, functional area, or agglomeration authorities: 2 applications
Applications came from five Western Balkan countries, with unique city participation as follows:
• Albania: 15 applications (13 unique cities)
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: 29 applications (25 unique cities)
• Montenegro: 10 applications (9 unique cities)
• North Macedonia: 8 applications (7 unique cities)
• Serbia: 17 applications (16 unique cities)
Key themes and priorities
Each candidate city selected primary and secondary themes in line with its urban challenges. The most common themes were:
• Urban nature: 21 primary, 18 secondary = 39 in total
• Sustainable tourism development: 16 primary, 23 secondary = 39 in total
• Waste management: 15 primary, 9 secondary = 24 in total
• Sustainable mobility: 14 primary, 8 secondary = 22 in total
• Culture: 5 primary, 14 secondary = 19 in total
• Employment and SME support: 8 primary, 7 secondary = 15 in total
In addition, cross-cutting priorities were highlighted in several applications:
• Environmental sustainability: 58 applications
• Social inclusion (combined with jobs/SMEs, culture, and sustainable tourism): 10 applications
• Digitalisation (combined with culture and tourism): 9 applications
Next steps and upcoming events
The URBACT Secretariat is now reviewing the applications and the selected cities will be announced in the coming weeks. Selected participants will have access to face-to-face events, online masterclasses, and tailored support sessions focused on improving urban policies and practices.
In addition, all selected cities will be invited to the URBACT City Festival in Wrocław, from 8-10 April 2025. This key event will provide networking opportunities and a platform for knowledge exchange with urban development experts and European city leaders.
For more information, visit the official URBACT website.
