2023 retrospective: One year of implementing the new European Initiative for cities
This year was a milestone in fully implementing all EUI strands, providing cities with support to develop innovative solutions, enhance the capabilities of urban stakeholders, and draw inspiration for sustainable urban development. 2023 was also the year of full speed ahead for the cooperation with URBACT IV, with a strong collaboration for the transfer of innovative actions, the coordinated offer for capacity building, the first knowledge sharing event organised in Viladecans and the joint work to ensure the coordination of the Urban Contact Points and the National URBACT Point Networks.
2023 was all about...
Launching the European Urban Initiative
The collaboration between the European Commission and the Region Hauts-de-France was instrumental in launching the Initiative at the Cities Forum 2023 in Turin. This pivotal moment ushered in a new era of urban development, tailored to the unique needs and potentials of European cities.
Selecting the first innovative actions projects
The year commenced with the closing of the first call for Innovative Actions, and 99 submitted applications focusing on New European Bauhaus demonstrators. Fourteen innovative projects were chosen to transform urban spaces. This was followed by a second call, which received 112 applications, targeting Greening Cities, Sustainable Tourism, and Talent Harnessing in Shrinking Cities.
Developing Capacity Building services
The EUI introduced a comprehensive range of capacity-building services for urban practitioners in 2023. These included numerous EU-level and national events designed to empower cities with necessary tools and knowledge for positive change. Highlights include the launch of a city-to-city exchange program with 43 applications, the successful organization of two peer reviews in Thessaloniki and Coimbra, and several European and national events.
Launching Portico, the European urban knowledge hub
One of the year's major milestones was the launch of Portico in October, a dynamic knowledge-sharing platform that offers cities a space to exchange experiences, insights, and access a wide array of urban resources from many EU initiatives and organisations.
Gathering the Urban Contact Points network
To offer immediate support to cities at the national and local level and share the information about the opportunities of the initiative in national language, EUI organised this year the appointment of Urban Contact Points in the 27 Member States of the EU and met with all of them in December for the first time.
Inaugurating two new partnerships under the Urban Agenda for the EU
After the call launched in summer 2023, two teams of diverse urban authorities and stakeholders have been selected to draft and implement actions plans on the two important topics of Food and Cities of Equality.
Expanding the EUI team
The European Urban Initiative Permanent Secretariat also grew in 2023 to support the implementation of the new strands. In 2023, we welcomed 8 new members to support urban sustainable development.
2023 will also see the creation of the EUI Expert Pool, EUI to work with a great team of experts who are fully engaged alongside the initiative to deliver activities that support cities in their capacity to innovate, develop their skills and access relevant knowledge.