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Lessons Learned from RECUP: How Culture Can Help Cities Rebuild Connection, Belonging and Participation

Over the last two years, the URBACT Innovation Transfer Network REinventing Culture in Urban Places (RECUP) explored how culture and creativity can help cities respond to challenges such as loneliness, social isolation, fragmented communities and declining participation. Building on Újbuda’s CUP4Creativity Good Practice, six European partners tested new approaches, developed local solutions and translated their learning into Integrated Investment Plans for future implementation.

PODCAST: Mantova (Italy): "It's about having time for yourself"

The latest episode of the Residents of the Future podcast takes listeners to Mantova, Italy, a UNESCO World Heritage city and partner in the URBACT Residents of the Future network.

Hosted by Tiago Ferreira, the episode features Caterina Salvo from the Municipality of Mantova and Iulia Puscasu, member of the URBACT Local Group (ULG) and co-founder of Bug Magazine. Together, they discuss how a city renowned for its Renaissance heritage is responding to population decline by building on its cultural identity, quality of life and community connections.

PODCAST: Šibenik (Croatia): “It's about the captivating power of a Mediterranean-style work-life balance”

The last episode of the Residents of the Future podcast presents the City of Šibenik, Croatia, as the lead partner of the URBACT Residents of the Future network.

Hosted by Tiago Ferreira, Lead Expert of the network, the episode features Nikolina Gracin and Ines Kulušić from the City of Šibenik’s Department for Economy. Over almost three years, they coordinated the project and led a partnership of nine European cities addressing population decline and urban shrinkage.

RECUP Final Conference in Amersfoort: Culture, Connection and Lasting Urban Impact

Amersfoort, the Netherlands | 8–9 July 2026

The URBACT network REinventing Culture in Urban Places (RECUP) reached an important milestone with its Final Conference, hosted by the City of Amersfoort on 8–9 July 2026. Bringing together partners from across Europe, the event marked the culmination of more than two years of collaboration focused on exploring how culture-led approaches can strengthen social cohesion and help cities address loneliness and social isolation. Based on the conference agenda and official meeting minutes, the event provided an opportunity to reflect on the network’s achievements, share local experiences and discuss how RECUP’s legacy can continue beyond the project’s lifetime.

Network Article III: When cities start singing together: how culture helped RECUP cities reconnect communities

The article below was authored by Elisa Filippi, Lead Expert of the URBACT RECUP network. We are pleased to share her reflections on the RECUP journey and the role of culture in strengthening community connections across European cities. The text is reproduced and published in its original form. The original  Article in pdf format is available on the URBACT site.

2Nite Journal #3

The 2Nite network gathered in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, for its second Transnational Meeting, and various webinars, amongst which public space activation and storytelling. Hosted by the Municipality of Cluj-Napoca, the two-day event brought together project partners, local stakeholders, and community representatives.

The meeting served as a vital mid-term touchpoint to explore how European cities can better understand, measure, and improve public space liveability and safety perceptions, particularly within urban neighborhoods undergoing rapid demographic and spatial change. Through interactive workshops, on-the-ground field exploration, and strategic planning sessions, partners collaborated to shape the next phase of their Integrated Action Plans.