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Valorisation policies
The EU Valorisation policy plays an important role to achieve Europe’s systemic transformations to a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive society. During the pandemic, it has become even more evident that we need to collaborate, share knowledge and accelerate the use of R&I results in order to deliver urgently needed solutions. New models of collaboration among researchers, innovators and citizens as members of communities can also boost a culture of transparency, inclusiveness and trust, strengthening the value of science for society and informing R&I policy-making.
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WeGovNow
The WeGovNow project is a research and innovation action funded under the Horizon2020 programme of the European Commission. It started in February 2016 and was completed in January 2019.
With its slogan “Towards WeGovernment: Collective and participative approaches for addressing local policy challenges” the WeGovNow project has been developed against the background of the ongoing transformation of the public sector. A key objective of the project was to make a contribution to the transition from viewing citizens as mere customers of public services towards what has occasionally been called WeGovernment, considering citizens as partners. Against this background, 12 partner organisations have joined forces in the WeGovNow project to tap into the potentials provided by participatory online technologies. During the initial project phase an online engagement platform, the WeGovNow platform, has been developed. The WeGovNow platform integrates different civic participation functions to support communication and collaboration of local stakeholders with a view to addressing local policy challenges in a participatory manner, thereby involving local residents, civil society and the public administration. During the final project year, this platform has been piloted under day-to-day conditions in terms of a publicly available service in three municipalities, namely the City of Turin (IT), the London Borough of Southwark (UK) and San Donà di Pave (IT).
- Read more about the WeGovNow platform.
- Read more about the WeGovNow pilots.
- Read more about the key lessons learned during the project.
Source: WeGovNow - About
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FOOD TRAILS
Nutrition food for city folk: Eleven EU cities, three universities and five food system stakeholders have a lot on their plate; they are all part of the EU-funded FOOD TRAILS project. Led by the city of Milan, the 19 partners are committed to transforming integrated urban food policies into measurable and long-term progress towards sustainable food systems. Their goal is to help ensure that all EU citizens have access to affordable, balanced and healthy food. The idea is to create City Region Food Systems – an approach that aims to foster the development of resilient and sustainable food systems within urban centres. The four priority areas of the FOOD2030 European research framework (nutrition and healthy diets, climate and the environment, circularity and resource efficiency and innovation and empowerment of communities) will be addressed.
Objective
Meeting the challenges of providing European citizens with affordable, safe and nutritious food and of creating healthier and more sustainable City Region Food Systems raises the need for the development of integrated urban food policies that are able to engage with the complexity of the food system. Today’s leading platform for this endeavour is the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact, a powerful global network of learning cities experimenting around, and advocating for, the implementation of a holistic approach to food system transformation. FOODTRAILS, a four-year project led by the City of Milan, brings together a Consortium of 19 partners (including 11 EU cities, 3 universities and 5 prominent food system stakeholders), which will be followed by another 21 worldwide cities, to translate the MUFPP’s shared vision and collective commitment to integrated urban food policies into measurable and long-term progress towards sustainable food systems.
Building on the momentum created by the recent emergence of cities as key sites to reimagine, enact and engage with food system transformation, FOOD TRAILS will provide city and regional governments and other agents of change with evidence-based policy narratives, co-designed and verified through the activities of 11 multi-objective and multi-actor Living Labs committed to addressing the 4 priority areas of the flagship FOOD 2030 framework. Using the existing knowledge on innovations for food system transformation, the Living Labs will co-design pilot projects that minimize the trade-offs between the 4 priorities of FOOD 2030 and that can function as an entry point for the development of integrated urban food policies. FOODTRAILS will also establish a pan-European Investors’ Living Lab to develop innovative financial instruments that will attract new resources to sustain the urban food policies developed during the project, maximize their visibility and support their replicability across the EU.
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Milan Urban Food Policy Pact
In 2014, the Mayor of Milan decided to launch an international protocol aimed at tackling food-related issues at the urban level, to be adopted by as many world cities as possible. The Milan Urban Food Policy Pact was signed on the 15 October 2015 in Milan by more than 100 cities. It represents one of the most important legacies of Milan EXPO 2015.
The Milan Urban Food Policy Pact is an international agreement of Mayors. It is more than a declaration, it is a concrete working tool for cities. It is composed by a preamble and a Framework for Action listing 37 recommended actions, clustered in 6 categories. For each recommended action there are specific indicators to monitor progresses in implementing the Pact. The Milan Pact Awards offer concrete examples of the food policies that cities are implementing in each of the 6 Pact categories.
Governance
The recommended actions falling into the “Governance category” are all those actions aimed at ensuring an enabling environment for effective action in cities, such as: to facilitate collaboration across city agencies and departments, to strengthen urban stakeholder participation, to identify, map and support local and grassroots initiatives, to develop or revise urban food policies and plans and to develop a disaster risk reduction strategy.
Click here for their resources.
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Urban Agenda for the EU
The Urban Agenda for the EU brings together the Commission, national ministries, city authorities and other stakeholders to promote better laws, easier access to funding and more knowledge sharing on issues relevant for cities. The Urban Agenda for the EU offers a new form of multilevel and multi-stakeholder cooperation with the aim of strengthening the urban dimension in EU policy.
Urban Agenda for the EU
The Urban Agenda for the EU addresses problems cities are facing by setting up Partnerships between the Commission, EU organisations, national governments, city authorities and other stakeholders such as non-governmental organisations.
Together they develop action plans to:
- Improve existing regulation with regarding to urban areas and urban challenges
- Support and improve innovative and user-friendly sources of funding for Urban Areas
- Share and develop knowledge (data, studies, good practices).
Better regulation
EU laws are often implemented in cities, with direct and indirect implications for city governments, but legislation can impact various audiences differently and be hard to implement at local level. These are difficulties that EU regulation should anticipate.
The Urban Agenda for the EU seeks to help the relevant actors to implement existing policies, laws and instruments more effectively and coherently.
Regarding new EU legislation, the Commission's better regulation agenda ensures that it achieves its objectives at minimum cost without imposing unnecessary administrative burdens on the businesses and other organisations affected.
Better funding
Urban authorities are among the key beneficiaries of public funding, but obtaining it can be difficult because of the many different EU institutions that provide funding, and the various ways they do so.
The Urban Agenda does not create additional EU funding. It draws on lessons learned in order to make it easier for city governments to apply for funding from all EU programmes, including those falling under cohesion policy.
Better knowledge
Success stories and other type of knowledge about how cities evolve need to be put to better use and shared more widely.
From one city to another, the responsibilities of the authorities and the related administrative structures can vary greatly. Reliable data are important to ensure that urban policy is based on evidence and that tailor-made solutions to major challenges can be found.
The Urban Agenda for the EU will help build up an urban-policy knowledge base and promote the exchange of good practices. All related initiatives will comply with EU legislation on data protection and reuse of public-sector information as well as promote the use of big, linked and open data.
Priority themes
The Urban Agenda's priority themes for cities are:
- air quality
- circular economy
- climate adaptation
- culture and cultural heritage
- digital transition
- energy transition
- housing
- inclusion of migrants and refugees
- innovative and responsible public procurement
- jobs and skills in the local economy
- sustainable use of land and nature-based solutions
- urban mobility
- urban poverty
- security in public spaces
These urban themes were set forth in the Pact of Amsterdam, ratified by urban-policy ministers from the EU member countries in May 2016 and in the 2019 Declaration of ministers ‘Towards a common framework for urban development in the European Union’.
The New Leipzig Charter on The transformative power of cities for the common good was adopted at the Informal Ministerial Meeting organised on 30 November 2020 under the German Presidency. It offers a common framework and principles towards sustainable urban development. The New Leipzig Charter is also accompanied by an Implementing document that intends to guide the next phase of the Urban Agenda for the EU according to renewed parameters.
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Urban Agenda for the EU: Multi-level governance in action (2021)
It has enabled key players to collaborate on urban issues and strengthen the role of cities in national and EU policies to better link the EU with the needs of its citizens. It acts as an ‘umbrella’ for all urban policy initiatives and aims to realise the full potential and contribution of urban areas to attaining the Union's objectives and related national priorities. It also works to integrate urban authorities in policy development and implementation, as well as to strengthen the urban dimension of these policies.
The UAEU, which is organised into thematic Partnerships representing various governmental levels and stakeholders, focuses its work on better regulation, better funding, and better knowledge as the three pillars of EU policymaking and implementation.
The European Commission has updated the brochure ‘Urban Agenda for the EU – Multi-level governance in action’, initially developed and published in 2019, with the most recent UAEU developments in order to celebrate five years of cooperation and achievements under this initiative.
This brochure emphasises the role of the Urban Agenda for the EU in supporting innovative and good governance and in implementing the New Urban Agenda (NUA), as well as the diversity and variety of actions and achievements so far. The update includes references to the New Leipzig Charter, to the Ljubljana Agreement, the review of the UAEU’s contribution to the NUA, as well as answers of UAEU cities to COVID-19. It also includes contributions from the series of articles published in 2021, and other relevant EU projects and initiatives supported by Cohesion Policy.
The reader will be guided through a variety of ‘action stories’ and examples of actions divided by the different thematic Partnerships and working in a more integrated way to address cross-cutting issues and support better regulation, better funding and better knowledge. The brochure also looks at the multiple EU programmes and initiatives addressing sustainable urban development.
There is room to strengthen urban policy in the EU through better and closer cooperation between cities, Member States and the EU. This is where the Urban Agenda for the EU is a making a concrete and positive contribution.
Source: Urban Agenda for the EU: Multi-level governance in action - European Commission
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Urban Agenda for the EU: Multi-level governance in action (2019)
The Urban Agenda for the EU is an innovative urban policy initiative, which has put multi-level governance into action. It has enabled cities, Member States, the European Commission and other key stakeholders to come together to jointly tackle pressing urban matters and deliver concrete outputs for the benefit of EU citizens.
The Urban Agenda for the EU
The Urban Agenda for the EU is an integrated and coordinated approach to deal with the urban dimension of EU and national policies and legislation. By focusing on concrete priority themes within dedicated Partnerships, the Urban Agenda seeks to improve the quality of life in urban areas.
In 2016, the Pact of Amsterdam agreed upon by the EU Ministers Responsible for Urban Matters on 30 May 2016 established the Urban Agenda for the EU. Based on the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, the Urban Agenda focuses on the three pillars of EU policy making and implementation Better regulation, Better funding and Better knowledge.12 Partnerships have been defined so far. Four Partnerships were launched in 2016 on Inclusion of Migrants and Refugees, Air Quality, Housing and Urban Poverty. Four others started their work in February 2017 on Circular Economy, Digital Transition, Urban Mobility and Jobs and Skills in the Local Economy. Four more will be launched before summer 2017 on Energy Transition, Climate Adaptation, Innovative and Responsible Public Procurement and Sustainable Use of Land and Nature-Based Solutions.
Each Partnership involves on a voluntary and equal basis cities, Member States, the Commission and stakeholders such as NGOs or businesses. Together they work on developing and implementing concrete actions to successfully tackle challenges of cities and to contribute to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.Read here more about The Urban Agenda for the EU.
Source: Urban agenda for the EU: Multi-level governance in action. Regional and Urban Policy. DOI: 10.2776/14095.
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New Leipzig Charter- The transformative power of cities for the common good
The New Leipzig Charter- The transformative power of cities for the common good was adopted at the Informal Ministerial Meetings organised on 30 November 2020 under German Presidency. The New Leipzig Charter provides a key policy framework document for sustainable urban development in Europe. The Charter highlights that cities need to establish integrated and sustainable urban development strategies and ensure their implementation for the city as a whole, from its functional areas to its neighbourhoods. The document is strongly aligned with the Cohesion Policy and its framework for sustainable urban development. Member States agreed to implement the Charter in their national or regional urban policies.
The common principles are useful references for programming Cohesion Policy (Integrated territorial development and sustainable urban development). The Charter would allow Member States to develop national urban policies of high quality.
The New Leipzig Charter is also accompanied by an Implementing document which intends to guide the next phase of the Urban Agenda for the EU according to renewed parameters.
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European Regional Development Fund
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) aims to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion in the European Union by correcting imbalances between its regions. In 2021-2027 it will enable investments in a smarter, greener, more connected and more social Europe that is closer to its citizens.
The ERDF finances programmes in shared responsibility between the European Commission and national and regional authorities in Member States. The Member States' administrations choose which projects to finance and take responsibility for day-to-day management.
Funding priorities
In 2021-2027, the fund will enable investments to make Europe and its regions:
- More competitive and smarter, through innovation and support to small and medium-sized businesses, as well as digitisation and digital connectivity
- Greener, low-carbon and resilient
- More connected by enhancing mobility
- More social, supporting effective and inclusive employment, education, skills, social inclusion and equal access to healthcare, as well as enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism
- Closer to citizens, supporting locally-led development and sustainable urban development across the EU
Thematic concentration
Based on their prosperity, all regions and Member States will concentrate the support on a more competitive and smarter Europe (policy objective – PO 1), as well as greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe (PO2), through the mechanism known as 'thematic concentration'.
All regions and Member States (MSs) will concentrate at least 30% of their allocation to PO 2 and:- More developed regions or MSs will dedicate at least 85% of their allocation to PO1 and PO2;
- Transition regions or MSs at least 40% to PO1;
- Less developed regions or MSs at least 25% to PO1.
All regions and Member States will also concentrate at least 8% of their allocation to urban development that will be delivered through local development partnerships with different tools.
Operations under the ERDF are also expected to contribute 30 % of the overall financial envelope to climate objectives.Source: European Regional Development Fund - European Commission
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Cohesion policy post-2020 and sustainability transitions
The achievement of the European Union's long-term objectives for a low-carbon and circular economy requires systemic transformations at regional and local level. The EU's cohesion policy has for many years helped regions and Member States to invest to protect the environment, reduce emissions, help adapt to climate change and ensure compliance with the Acquis.
For the post-2020 period, the Commission wishes to further improve the effectiveness of cohesion policy investment in delivering the EU’s environmental and climate goals. This will require a significant effort by the public and private sectors, as well as consumers and citizens. For this reason, the Commission would like to reflect on how cohesion policy can better support sustainability transitions in regions and cities. This event – organised in collaboration with EIT Climate-KIC – will be the opportunity for a broad debate with regional and local authorities and other stakeholders.
Click here to see all the presentations.
Source: Cohesion policy post-2020 and sustainability transitions
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The Urban Development Network
The Urban Development Network is made up of more than 500 cities/urban areas across the EU responsible for implementing integrated actions based on Sustainable Urban Development strategies financed by ERDF in the 2014-2020 period.
The Network's mission is to:
- Review how European funds are implemented on the ground in Europe's cities
- Support information exchange between cities involved in integrated Sustainable Urban Development (Art 7) and in Urban Innovative Actions (Art 8)
- Promote direct dialogue between the Commission and cities on Sustainable Urban Development
Sustainable Urban Development (Art 7)
In each EU Member State, a minimum 5 % of the ERDF must be invested in integrated Sustainable Urban Development with deployment decided and directed by urban authorities.
Three different arrangements for Article 7 can be used within the operational programmes:
- A specific priority axis of an operational programme dedicated to Sustainable Urban Development
- A specific operational programme dedicated to Sustainable Urban Development
- Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI): a certain part of the financial allocation of one or more priority axes of one or more operational programme can be implemented through ITIs
Urban Innovative Actions (Art 8)
Cities need to do more with less, responding to growing challenges but with lower budgets. This calls for innovative approaches. The Urban Innovative Actions initiative has been created to identify and test new approaches to the challenges faced by cities (through pilot projects).
A total of EUR 371 million is earmarked for 'innovative actions' in the field of Sustainable Urban Development over a seven-year period.
The aim is to generate knowledge of what works and what does not and why, what should be done differently, etc. Projects are selected through calls for proposals with an ERDF contribution not exceeding EUR 5 million per project, a unique co-financing rate of maximum 80%, and maximum three-year duration. The topics of the calls are defined annually by the Commission. The management of Urban Innovative Actions is delegated to the Nord-Pas de Calais Region in France.
More Information : Urban Innovative Actions
Priorities for 2014-2020
The priorities outlined for UDN during the period 2014-2020 are to:
- Help cities to implement Article 7 and 8 correctly and realise the full potential of these measures
- Develop and promote an integrated approach to urban development, including the exchange of experience and knowledge (i.e. URBACT), mainstreaming innovative approaches to urban development (i.e. Urban Innovative Actions) and state-of-the-art thematic input to address urban challenges
- Create a platform of two-way knowledge exchange among cities and foster capacity building
- Facilitate dialogue between cities, managing authorities, Member States and the European Commission in line with a "client-driven approach" on political, technical and communication issues (i.e. development of good practices, stories)
Improving how ERDF funds is invested in cities
The aim is to gain insight and improve ERDF implementation in the area of urban and territorial development. This is achieved by reviewing how European funds are deployed on the ground, and by supporting the exchange of experience between cities involved in integrated Sustainable Urban Development (Art 7) and Urban Innovative Actions (Art 8). The Network helps to identify the critical success factors and conditions for better, smarter urban development strategies which also complement existing tools, mechanisms, instruments and platforms used by the Commission and Member States.
List of activities
- Conferences: Regular European networking conferences specifically addressing the implementation of ERDF Articles 7 and 8 or wider policy issues.
- Workshops: These workshops take place in Brussels and also on a regional/national basis. Workshops can be organised on general integrated urban development topics or thematically i.e. energy efficiency, demographic challenges, social inclusion, project management, partnership working, etc.
- Study visits: These on-site visits (potentially combined with the workshops) help to disseminate expert knowledge and have strong added-value in terms of peer learning. This could be developed using the already established TAIEX/REGIO peer-to-peer tool.
Is my city covered?
Cities (urban areas) receiving ERDF funding under Article 7 or Article 8 may join the Network. Participation in the UDN is voluntary. It is the first formal REGIO platform where cities can interact directly with the Commission (i.e. not through intermediaries).
For certain events, and with a view to enlarge the exchange of experience, the Commission may decide to invite other stakeholders where relevant.
Ties with the EU Urban Agenda
Real change on the ground calls for the active engagement and ownership of cities, and the effective use of EU, national, regional and local resources. This concerns all European cities and especially those receiving funding under Article 7. Some EUR 15 billion of the ERDF is set aside for integrated urban development strategies which cities design themselves and have control over the selection of projects.
There is a clear need for the Commission to maintain dialogue with these cities as their choices directly impact the success of a considerable portion of the ERDF. UDN gives a voice to these cities and, in turn, helps the Commission develop better policies taking into account a wider cross-section of initiatives in the framework of its Europe 2020 objectives.
Ties with URBACT
UDN complements the work undertaken by URBACT III, working together to support cities implementing Article 7 – an integrated approach to Sustainable Urban Development. The experience and expertise gained through URBACT thus feeds into UDN. There is no direct overlap between UDN and URBACT, as URBACT is supporting its own projects (consisting of networks of 7-10 cities working together on a specific theme) for capacity building. The two initiatives are mutually reinforcing.
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Cohesion Policy 2021-2027
EU Cohesion Policy contributes to strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion in the European Union. It aims to correct imbalances between countries and regions. It delivers on the Union's political priorities, especially the green and digital transition.
What’s new for 2021-2027?
- Support to EU priorities: 5 policy objectives focused on key objectives and thematic concentration on those most relevant for a competitive and future-proof Europe
- Climate targets: weighted climate and environmental contribution of investments, minimum targets for funds, climate adjustment mechanism
- Greater empowerment of local, urban & territorial authorities in the management of the funds: dedicated policy objective implemented only through territorial and local development strategies
- Simplification: The new cohesion policy introduces one set single of rules for the eight Funds and a significant reduction in the amount of secondary legislation. This entails notably:
- Lighter and more frequent reporting
- Lighter controls for programmes: sharp reduction of management verifications, “single audit principle”, proportionate arrangements for audits
- Faster delivery: extended possibility to use simplified cost options (SCOs) and financing not linked to costs schemes
- End of Commission approval for major projects
- No more designation of management and control bodies
- Creating conditions for success: streamlined and clear enabling conditions to be respected throughout the whole programming period for reimbursement from the Union budget.
- Flexible programming adjusted to new challenges and emerging needs: allocation of flexibility amount only after mid term review of socio-economic situation and possible new challenges
- Reinforced visibility and communication provisions: requirements for beneficiariesand operations of strategic importance
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European Structural and Investment Funds
Five main Funds work together to support economic development across all EU countries, in line with the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy:
- European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
- European Social Fund (ESF)
- Cohesion Fund (CF)
- European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)
- European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)
Every EU region may benefit from the ERDF and ESF. However, only the less developed regions may receive support from the Cohesion Fund.
European Union Solidarity Fund
The European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) provides assistance in case of major natural disasters.
Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance
Support for EU candidate and potential candidate countries is available via the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA).
Source: European Structural and Investment Funds - European Commission
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Cohesion policy action against coronavirus
The Coronavirus outbreak presents a major challenge to the entire European Union. National, regional and local communities are on the frontline in countering the disease and its consequences. Solidarity and responsibility across our societies and between EU countries are key to overcome this challenge. The benefit of collective and coordinated action as a community outweighs individual and parceled responses.
The Commission has, therefore, launched in April 2020 two packages of measures: the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative (CRII) and the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative Plus (CRII+), which were swiftly endorsed by the European Parliament and the European Council. This was supplemented on 27 May with the presentation of the REACT-EU package.
Existing funds have been re-oriented and new funds are available in all EU countries and regions to tackle the crisis.
REACT-EU, new funding
REACT-EU (Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe) continues and extends the crisis response and crisis repair measures delivered through the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative and the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative Plus and provides a bridge to the long-term recovery plan. Therefore, these additional resources should be used for projects that foster crisis repair capacities in the context of the coronavirus crisis, as well as investments in operations contributing to preparing a green, digital and resilient recovery of the economy.
This funding is entirely new (EUR 47 billion): it is a top up to funding still available under 2014-2020 programmes and additional to the cohesion allocations 2021-2027, bringing the total amount of the European Structural and Investment Funds higher than current levels and becoming the highest single-policy grant instrument in the EU budget.
Current programmes are re-oriented
As of 16 December, 25 EU countries and the UK have requested 239 amendments to their existing Cohesion Policy programmes using the flexibilities offered by CRII and CRII Plus. The Commission has modified its internal procedures to allow for a swift treatment of all requests under lighter, faster procedures. The administrative burden has been alleviated through extension of deadlines, enlargement of project scope and other simplifications. All Member States automatically benefit from these measures regardless of whether or not they introduce any changes.
For more information on how the funds have been used so far, visit the Coronavirus Dashboard on the Open Data Platform.
Background
Thanks to the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative, Member States can immediately address three key priorities in the fight against the current emergency and its economic consequences: spending on healthcare, support to short time work schemes, and support to the SMEs working capital.
To make this money available, the Commission proposed to mobilise quickly unspent cash reserves from the EU funds. This provided immediate liquidity to Member States' budgets and helped to frontload the yet unallocated €37 billion of cohesion policy funding within the 2014-2020 cohesion policy programmes, thus providing a much needed boost to economic investments.
The Commission also made all Coronavirus crisis related expenditure since February 1, 2020 eligible under cohesion policy rules. The rules for cohesion spending are applied with maximum flexibility, thus enabling Member States to use the funds to finance crisis-related action. This also means providing greater flexibility for countries to reallocate financial resources, making sure the money is spent in the areas of greatest need: the health sector, support for SMEs, and the labour market.
The EU Solidarity Fund provided additional assistance of up to €800 million to the worst affected countries in order to alleviate the financial burden of the immediate response measures.
Source: Cohesion policy action against coronavirus - European Commission
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Smart specialisation - European Commission
Smart specialisation is an innovative approach that aims to boost growth and jobs in Europe, by enabling each region to identify and develop its own competitive advantages. Through its partnership and bottom-up approach, smart specialisation brings together local authorities, academia, business spheres and the civil society, working for the implementation of long-term growth strategies supported by EU funds.
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Towards the creation of a multi-level third space for systemic urban research and innovation
On 4th and 5th April we co-organised a lab session with the Innovating Cities team of the Directorate General for Research & Innovation to test the idea of a third space for systemic urban research and innovation. Together with European Commission Urban Policy Officers, city-makers and innovators, city organisations, and other stakeholders from multiple cities across Europe we tried to understand what should be the key features of a multi-level third space in which EU policy officers and all relevant stakeholders could work on urban challenges and identify new areas for research and innovation in cities.
During the event, we asked our participants to think about innovative ideas to respond to urban challenges. On the first day these ideas were presented and served as a basis for a discussion on the requirements of a Multi-level Third space such as ownership, business model, type of activities etc. On the second day, we discussed different models of Multi-level third spaces, how such a space should be organised and also the next steps to be taken in order to set it up.
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Knowledge Centre for Territorial Policies
We support EU policymaking through better knowledge management on territorial (urban and regional) related issues.
Economic and societal challenges (economic growth, employment, poverty, migration, energy production and consumption …) cannot be fully understood without a territorially disaggregated dimension to help pinpoint regions’ particularities, combine sectoral measures and evaluate strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, the crises aftermaths showed that a 'one-size-fits-all' approach does not effectively reduce country and regional disparities.One of the main challenges for EU policy-makers engaged in addressing territorial development in the short term is to capitalise on the wealth of existing but fragmented and not always easily accessible knowledge at all levels – local, national, European and global.
Another equally important challenge is to better anticipate future trends and to better understand their impact.
The Knowledge Centre for Territorial Policies (KCTP) is an initiative of the European Commission fostering evidence-based policy making at EU, national and local level. The KCTP aims to be the point of reference for Commission services, Member States and local authorities on territorial and regional knowledge and data. It allows for analytical and networking activities, accompanied by a repository of relevant research and new initiatives.
Source: Knowledge Centre for Territorial Policies - European Commission.
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A European approach to artificial intelligence
The EU’s approach to artificial intelligence centres on excellence and trust, aiming to boost research and industrial capacity and ensure fundamental rights. The European approach to artificial intelligence (AI) will help build a resilient Europe for the Digital Decade where people and businesses can enjoy the benefits of AI. It focuses on 2 areas: excellence in AI and trustworthy AI. The European approach to AI will ensure that any AI improvements are based on rules that safeguard the functioning of markets and the public sector, and people’s safety and fundamental rights.
To help further define its vision for AI, the European Commission developed an AI strategy to go hand in hand with the European approach to AI. The AI strategy proposed measures to streamline research, as well as policy options for AI regulation, which fed into work on the AI package.
The Commission published its AI package in April 2021, proposing new rules and actions to turn Europe into the global hub for trustworthy AI. This package consisted of:
- a Communication on Fostering a European Approach to Artificial Intelligence;
- the Coordinated Plan with Member States: 2021 update;
- a proposal for an AI Regulation laying down harmonised rules for the EU (Artificial Intelligence Act).
A European approach to excellence in AI
Fostering excellence in AI will strengthen Europe’s potential to compete globally.
The EU will achieve this by:
- enabling the development and uptake of AI in the EU;
- making the EU the place where AI thrives from the lab to the market;
- ensuring that AI works for people and is a force for good in society;
- building strategic leadership in high-impact sectors.
The Commission and Member States agreed boost excellence in AI by joining forces on AI policy and investment. The revised Coordinated Plan on AI outlines a vision to accelerate, act, and align priorities with the current European and global AI landscape and bring AI strategy into action.
Maximising resources and coordinating investments is a critical component of the Commission’s AI strategy. Through the Digital Europe and Horizon Europe programmes, the Commission plans to invest €1 billion per year in AI. It will mobilise additional investments from the private sector and the Member States in order to reach an annual investment volume of €20 billion over the course of the digital decade.
The newly adopted Recovery and Resilience Facility makes €134 billion available for digital. This will be a game-changer, allowing Europe to amplify its ambitions and become a global leader in developing cutting-edge, trustworthy AI.
Access to high quality data is an essential factor in building high performance, robust AI systems. Initiatives such as the EU Cybersecurity Strategy, the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act, and the Data Governance Act provide the right infrastructure for building such systems.
A European approach to trust in AI
Building trustworthy AI will create a safe and innovation-friendly environment for users, developers and deployers.
The Commission has proposed 3 inter-related legal initiatives that will contribute to building trustworthy AI:
- a European legal framework for AI to address fundamental rights and safety risks specific to the AI systems;
- EU rules to address liability issues related to new technologies, including AI systems (last quarter 2021-first quarter 2022);
- a revision of sectoral safety legislation (e.g. Machinery Regulation, General Product Safety Directive, second quarter 2021).
European proposal for a legal framework on AI
The Commission aims to address the risks generated by specific uses of AI through a set of complementary, proportionate and flexible rules. These rules will also provide Europe with a leading role in setting the global gold standard.
This framework gives AI developers, deployers and users the clarity they need by intervening only in those cases that existing national and EU legislations do not cover. The legal framework for AI proposes a clear, easy to understand approach, based on four different levels of risk: unacceptable risk, high risk, limited risk, and minimal risk.
A European approach to trust in AI
Building trustworthy AI will create a safe and innovation-friendly environment for users, developers and deployers.
The Commission has proposed 3 inter-related legal initiatives that will contribute to building trustworthy AI:
European proposal for a legal framework on AI
The Commission aims to address the risks generated by specific uses of AI through a set of complementary, proportionate and flexible rules. These rules will also provide Europe with a leading role in setting the global gold standard.
This framework gives AI developers, deployers and users the clarity they need by intervening only in those cases that existing national and EU legislations do not cover. The legal framework for AI proposes a clear, easy to understand approach, based on four different levels of risk: unacceptable risk, high risk, limited risk, and minimal risk.
Source: A European approach to artificial intelligence - European Commission.
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European Innovation Partnerships
Details of partnerships that aim to better coordinate different levels of existing financial instruments and initiatives.
What are European Innovation Partnerships (EIPs)?
EIPs are partnerships that bring together relevant parties at EU, national and regional levels to streamline, simplify and better coordinate existing financial instruments and initiatives. They focus on challenges that can benefit society, modernise sectors and markets.
They are launched in areas where it is clear that combining EU, national and regional efforts in research and development will produce effective results.
EIPs aim to
- coordinate investments in demonstration and pilots
- anticipate and fast-track any necessary regulation and standards
- better coordinate public procurement so breakthroughs are quickly brought to market
Existing EIPs
Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP-AHA)
Aims to identify and remove persisting barriers to innovation across the health and care delivery chain, through interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral approaches.
Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability
Works to foster competitive, sustainable farming and forestry to ensure a steady supply of food, feed and biomaterials.
Smart Cities and Communities (EIP-SCC)
Works to improve urban life through more sustainable integrated solutions, including applied innovation, better planning, a more participatory approach, higher energy efficiency, better transport solutions, intelligent use of information and communication technologies (ICT) and more.
Water (EIP Water)
Facilitates the development of innovative solutions to address major European and global water challenges. The partnership also supports the creation of market opportunities for these innovations, both inside and outside of Europe.
Raw Materials (EIP Raw Materials)
Contributes to the security of a sustainable supply of raw materials to the European economy whilst increasing benefits for society as a whole. The partnership also aims to help raise industry's contribution to the EU GDP.
Source: European Innovation Partnerships (EIPs) - European Commission
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Culture in cities and regions
Across regions and cities in the European Union, culture is highly valued by residents and visitors alike. Cultural and creative industries (CCIs) are also a vital asset for regional economic competitiveness and attractiveness, while cultural heritage is a key element of the image and identity of cities and regions and often times the focus of city tourism.
The 2018 New European Agenda for Culture of the European Commission recognises that cities and regions across the EU are at the forefront of culture-led development and constitute natural partners for experimentation, anticipating trends and exploring models of social and economic innovation.
The latter is also underlined in the Work Plan for Culture 2019-2022 of the Council of the European Union. This also underlines that Member States should pay special attention to the role of culture at local level, to the quality of architecture and the living environment.
The European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage also includes a number of specific actions that are relevant for cities and regions. The proposed European initiatives focus specifically on regenerating cities and regions through cultural heritage, promoting adaptive re-use of heritage buildings as well as balancing access to cultural heritage with sustainable cultural tourism and natural heritage.
Supporting culture on the local level
The European Commission has three main roles in this context:
- To provide financial support to local and regional authorities.
- To raise awareness about the potential of cultural and creative sectors for regional and local development.
- To help local and regional authorities formulate integrated strategies.
Funding for regions and cities is available through a number of EU programmes, also supporting culture in regional development. The European Commission also works with national, regional and city authorities as well as competent international organisations, to share best practice on culture and regional development.
EU funding for culture in cities and regions
Financial support is provided primarily through the European Structural and Investment Funds, consisting of
- European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
- European Social Fund (ESF)
- Cohesion Fund (CF)
- European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)
- European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)
The cultural and creative sectors need to be integrated into regional and local development strategies in order to promote traditional cultural assets and cultural heritage, stimulate the development of creative businesses, support investment in infrastructure and in human capital as well as bring spill-over effects into the wider local economy. This is in line with the regional economic development principle of Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3), identifying particular strengths and potentials as the basis for investments.
Under European Structural and Investment Funds and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in particular, around 100 European regions have cultural and creative industries and/or cultural heritage included in their Research & Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation, both within regional and national S3 priorities in 2014-2020.
Within Interreg, one of the key instruments of the EU to support regional cooperation across borders through projects co-funded by the ERDF, culture constitutes one of the most popular topics. Between 2014 and 2020 more than 4000 projects and more than €1 billion were devoted to cultural heritage and arts within Interreg.
Relevant recent examples of culture-related Interreg projects can be found, for instance, in the “Connecting Cultures, Connected Citizens” online publications issued by Interact on the occasion of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018.
EU-level cooperation shaping local cultural policies
The European Commission has been working together with the Member States on the topics relevant for cities and regions, including via the Open Method of Coordination. Issues tackled included, among others, the role of public policies in developing entrepreneurial and innovation potential of the cultural and creative sectors and the strategic use of EU support programmes for culture.
As a stand-alone initiative within the EU’s cultural actions, under the European Capitals of Culture programme, cities have been highlighting the richness of European cultures and allowing European citizens to share celebrations of their diversity since 1985, while successfully integrating culture into long-term development plans.
The role of culture for local development has also been addressed at the European Culture Forum, a flagship event of the European Commission organised to raise the profile of European cultural cooperation, and by the Voices of Culture, the European Commission’s structured dialogue with cultural sectors. In 2020, a Voices of Culture group working on the topic of ‘The role of culture in non-urban areas of the European Union’ was convened, with 35 organisations from across Europe to address the question of what the EU can do to promote culture in the peri-urban spaces (outside of urban centres), the suburbs and the periphery.
Within the framework of the Urban Agenda for the EU, a new multi-level working method promoting cooperation between Member States, cities, the European Commission and other stakeholders, a new Partnership was initiated in 2018 on the topic of Culture and Cultural Heritage. More than 30 partners are currently involved in this process.
Helping cities, regions and local stakeholders to learn from each other
The European Commission works with local and regional authorities as well as local cultural stakeholders by facilitating peer-learning and mutual exchanges of good practices.
In 2015-2017, a peer-learning project Culture for Cities and Regions, funded by Creative Europe, examined selected existing cultural initiatives and their impact on local and regional development. Outputs of this project included a catalogue of 70 case studies, study visits to 15 cities/regions, and expert coaching for 10 cities/regions.
In 2016-2018, European Creative Hubs Networkproject was co-founded by Creative Europe, bringing together more than 200 platforms or workplaces for cultural and creative sectors scattered across European cities, in order to foster their exchanges, strengthen cooperation and facilitate capacity building.
From 2018 to 2021, Cultural and Creative Spaces and Cities policy project co-funded by the Creative Europe programme seeks to develop new ways for cities and regions to bring together the public administration and the cultural sector to co-create public policies. The goal of the project is to show that culture and common practices can transform neighbourhoods and cities into more sustainable places, catalysing better lives for their communities.
In 2020, the European Commission launched Cultural Heritage in Action, a peer-learning programme for local and regional policymakers to exchange knowledge on cultural heritage. 30 initiatives are to be featured in an online catalogue and 12 peer-learning visits will take place, bringing +20 participants each. The initiative is one of the actions of the European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage.
Helping to provide data and analysis on culture for cities & regions
Initiatives facilitated by the European Commission can help to collect data and measure the impact of culture on the local level.
In 2017, the Joint Research Centre developed the first edition of its Cultural and Creative Cities Monitorthat aims to show how well 168 selected cities in 30 European countries perform on a range of measures describing their cultural vibrancy and creative economy. The monitor was further updated in 2019.
Since 2019, the European Commission cooperates with the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities on a joint policy project for regions on cultural and creative sectors and local development. This project is part of the European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage, and is co-financed by the Creative Europe programme while it is the OECD Local Employment and Economic Development (LEED) Programme that implements it. Its aim is to provide evidence and guidance to cities and regions on ways to maximise the economic and social value of cultural heritage and support the emergence of the creative economy.
A number of specific initiatives is being carried out on the topic of measuring the socio-economic impact of cultural heritage at territorial level. These are part of the ESPON 2020 Programme, aimed at promoting and fostering a European territorial dimension in development and cooperation by providing evidence, knowledge transfer and policy learning.
In 2018-2019, a targeted analysis HERITAGE - The Material Cultural Heritage as a Strategic Territorial Development Resource was undertaken, while in 2020, an applied research Cultural Heritage as a Source of Societal Well-being in European Regions – ESPON HERIWELL was launched.
Source: Culture in cities and regions. Culture and Creativity.
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European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018
2018 was the European Year of Cultural Heritage. Its aim was to encourage more people to discover and engage with Europe's cultural heritage, and to reinforce a sense of belonging to a common European space. The slogan for the year was "Our heritage: where the past meets the future".
A special Eurobarometer survey on cultural heritagelaunched on the eve of the European Year revealed that a large majority of European citizens think that cultural heritage is important to them personally (84%), as well as to their community (84%), region (87%), country (91%) and the EU as a whole (80%).
Most respondents (84%) state that they take pride in cultural heritage from their region or country, and a large percentage (70%) also in a historical monument, site, work of art or tradition from another European country.
Living close to places related to European cultural heritage is considered to give people a sense of belonging to Europe by 70% of interviewees. Moreover, most respondents think that public authorities at the local, regional, national and European level should allocate more resources to cultural heritage.
Key figures of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018
- 12,8 million participants
- 23,000 events organised
- 37 countries
The European Commission implemented 10 long-term European initiatives as a main policy input for the year, in collaboration with the Council of Europe, UNESCO, and other partners. These initiatives included
- activities with schools
- research on innovative solutions for re-using heritage buildings
- activities to fight against illicit trafficking of cultural goods
In addition, numerous EU funded projects supported cultural heritage. The European Commission launched a dedicated call for cooperation projects relating to the year under the Creative Europe programme. In addition, many other opportunities were available under Erasmus+, Europe for Citizens, Horizon 2020 and other EU programmes.
The European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018: a common success
At European level, all the EU institutions committed to making the year a success. The European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, as well as the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee organised events to celebrate the year and launched activities focusing on cultural heritage.
National coordinators were in charge of implementing the European Year on a national level, representing the participating countries: 28 Member States and 9 associated countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of North Macedonia, Iceland, Montenegro, Norway, Switzerland, Georgia and Serbia).
The European Commission ran the year with the assistance of a group of 38 civil society organisations that were part of the stakeholders' committee. The selection process of the stakeholders’ committee was an open and transparent process, in which UNESCO and the Council of Europe also took part, following an open call for participation.
The legacy of the European Year on Cultural Heritage 2018
The European Commission, the Member States and cultural heritage stakeholders continue to implement a longer-term vision to manage, safeguard and enhance Europe’s cultural heritage. This is based on the results of the European Year of Cultural Heritage and the European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage. For this, the Commission relies notably on the Expert Group’s work.
Learn more about the year
- visit the website on the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018
Source: European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018. Culture and Creativity.
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Cultural heritage in regional policy
Culture is highly valued by both residents and visitors across Europe’s regions and cities. Cultural heritage is a key element of their image and identity. Cultural tourism represents 40% of all tourist activities in Europe.
Cultural heritage plays a crucial role in achieving inclusive and sustainable development and it can help to revitalise cities and regions. The European Union (EU) cooperates with cities and regions to provide financial support for culture, raise awareness of the potential of culture and cultural heritage and to formulate integrated strategies through several instruments.
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and cultural heritage
This fund provides support to cultural heritage through actions that fund the protection, development and promotion of cultural assets at the local level.
Examples of actions from 2007-2013 and 2014-2020 include, among others:
- A major project for the preservation of the archaeological site of Pompeii
- A state-of-the-art museum in Lascaux, France
- The renovation of Nant Gwrtheyrn quarry village in northwest Wales, awarded with the Regiostar title for excellence in 2018
Find more examples of cultural heritage projects on the website of the European Regional Development Fund, including the REGIOSTARS Awards.
Urban Agenda for the EU
EU Member States have initiated a new partnershipon the topic of culture and cultural heritage in 2018. This multi-level working method promotes cooperation between cities, Member States, the European Commission and other stakeholders within the framework of the Urban Agenda for the EU.
The Urban Agenda for the EU aims to improve EU policymaking and implementation in its 3 aspects
- better regulation
- better funding
- better knowledge
Every partnership during its duration proposes voluntary action plans with concrete initiatives to be put in place by partnership members. The action plans are the key delivery mechanism within the Urban Agenda for the EU.
Cultural Heritage in Action
Cultural Heritage in Action is a peer-learning programme for local and regional policymakers to exchange knowledge on cultural heritage. The action, financed by the Creative Europe programme, started in January 2020.
The Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) is supervising this action put in place by a consortium of partners led by EUROCITIES in cooperation with Europa Nostra, European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN), KEA European Affairs and Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE).
The project will deliver a catalogue of 30 good practices from cities, regions, non-urban and rural areas across the European Union. As part of the action, 12 peer-learning visits in the featured locations will be organised, bringing together more than 20 participants per visit.
Cultural Heritage in Action will help over 100 local and regional policymakers to exchange knowledge on cultural heritage, focusing on the following themes:
- participatory governance of cultural heritage
- adaptive reuse of heritage buildings
- quality principles for interventions in cultural heritage
This action builds on the previous peer-learning initiative funded by the Creative Europe programme - Culture for Cities and Regions - that ran from 2015 to 2017. It examined selected cultural initiatives and their impact on local and regional development.
Outputs of the project included
- a catalogue of 70 case studies
- study visits to 15 cities/regions
- expert coaching for 10 cities/regions
Horizon 2020 for cultural heritage in regions and cities
The European Union invested €25 million in 2019 in four projects aiming to transform historic urban areas and cultural landscapes into hubs of entrepreneurship, social and cultural integration.
Some highlighted projects from the programme:
RURITAGE
The project turns rural areas into cases demonstrating Cultural and Natural Heritage as an engine of regeneration.
Find out more about the RURITAGE project.
ROCK
ROCK focuses on historic city centres as laboratories to demonstrate how cultural heritage can be a unique and powerful engine for regeneration, sustainable development and economic growth for the whole city.
Find out more about the ROCK project.
CLIC
CLIC is a transdisciplinary project that aims to identify evaluation tools to test, implement, validate and share innovative “circular” financing, business and governance models for the reuse of cultural heritage and landscapes.
Horizon 2020 launched a task force on “financing and business models for the reuse of built heritage in cities”. Its aim is to provide expertise and advice on financing and managing the reuse of buildings and spaces according to a circular economy approach. The CLIC project leads the task force.
Find out more about the CLIC project.
Open Heritage
Open Heritage identifies and tests best practices for adaptive heritage reuse in Europe.
Find out more about the Open Heritage project.
Find out more
Source: Cultural heritage in regional policy - Culture and Creativity, European Commission.
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Innovating cities policy report for EU R&I sustainable urban development
Today, more than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas and this is expected to rise to just over 80 % by 2050 (Source: United Nations (World Urbanisation Prospects) and Eurostat). In addition to demographic growth, cities and metropolitan regions are centres of economic activities and increased resource consumption. Cities are the home of complex, inter-linked challenges related to climate change, pollution, energy efficiency, urban mobility, water, waste, food and resource efficiency, health and well-being and social innovation. Cities are key actors for meeting the targets set out by international frameworks.
For 30 years, Europe has been investing in transnational EU research and innovation on urban-systems-related issues, with providing financing from the Framework Programmes FP5, FP6 and FP7 of €2.8 billion and even in Horizon 2020: €3.1 billion. Horizon Europe plans to continue similarly to invest in these issues. For this, we need to take stock of where we are and what are the options we have for the future. This report capitalizes on 30 years of successful EU-funded research on sustainable urban development. It relies on the analysis of a critical mass of inspiring knowledge, ideas and best practices coming from 41 projects funded under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) across the different thematic priorities. It showcases and provides an EU-wide evidence base of the outstanding contributions of EU funded research and innovation in meeting urban societal challenges, notably those supported by the FP7 Research Framework Programme which deploy a citizen-centric, systemic and integrated analysis of the urban ecosystem.
The report highlights the need for integrated policy research solutions to the societal challenges that generate policy benefits and co-benefits simultaneously delivering socio-economic and environmental political objectives for regional, local city authorities, civil society, political representatives, the private sector and industry. The report spreads expertise across Europe and paves the way to future European cities being climate-proof, resource-efficient, smart as well as more resilient, healthy, inclusive, prosperous, safe and sustainable and contributes to the European Green Deal to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent.
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Urban Transformation Pathways in European Cities - EUKN
This Policy Lab broadened the discussion on the local implications and relevance of European and global agendas for cities. Both global agendas, such as the Agenda 2030 and New Urban Agenda, and the Urban Agenda for the EU will enable cities to become safer, more resilient and more sustainable.
The workshop synthesised insights from two sustainable urban development projects: Possibilities and Strategies of the German EU Council Presidency 2020 and Global Urban Transformation, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community.
Given the diversity of local challenges and approaches to urban development in European cities, five cities were invited to share their experiences of urban transformation. Participants also engaged in peer-to-peer learning, received valuable feedback from urban professionals on their urban development pathways, and were updated on current EU policy processes relevant to their urban transformation plans.
Source: Urban Transformation Pathways in European Cities - EUKN