News & events

As we approach the end of 2023, it's a perfect time to reflect on the significant strides in sustainable urban development achieved under the European Urban Initiative (EUI), which benefitted cities across Europe.

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In Spring 2023, the European Urban Initiative (EUI) introduced a transformative capacity-building program to assist EU cities towards Sustainable Urban Development. One of the main proposed services was: City-to-City Exchanges.

Cities, regions, colleagues, and friends came together again for the first time in three years at the 21st edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities last week. This annual event allows hundreds of European practitioners to gather to hear about the most important activities of the moment. The event in itself is an ideal opportunity for peer exchange and capacity building and the session led by the European Urban Initiative promoting exchange and learning was ideally placed to showcase this important part of cohesion policy.

Sustainable urban tourism is a serious challenge for Europe’s towns and cities facing the risks of climate change, health crises and financial uncertainty while tourists flood back after COVID-19. In response, Tampere, Heraklion and Halandri have implemented bold urban solutions in partnership with relevant local stakeholders, thanks to funding and support from EUI’s predecessor, Urban Innovative Actions (UIA).

EUI continues to support such innovative, participatory and citizen-led actions, inspiring positive, locally-based transitions in cities across the EU.

After a busy summer for tourism in Europe, city-break season has begun. With crowds flooding back to tourist hotspots this year, and online booking platforms busier than ever, more and more EU cities are introducing restrictions. Amsterdam limits tourists to 20 million nights per year, asking rowdy groups to stay away. Dubrovnik caps tour-bus and cruise ship numbers, fining bad behaviour. Meanwhile, Florence, Paris and many others limit short-term rentals – and Portofino has fines for lingering in beauty spots.

In response to the urgent need for change, EUI is gearing up to host its new capacity-building event dedicated to boosting the green transition forward, on 8 and 9 November.