WHAT WAS THE COMMUNITY OF CITIES?

The Community of Cities was an initiative within the EU-funded project Eyes Hearts Hands Urban Revolution. This network brought together more than fifty European cities committed to creating a more sustainable future by embracing the values of sustainability, inclusivity, and beauty, in line with the New European Bauhaus initiative. By sharing knowledge and exchanging ideas, cities collaborated to tackle urban challenges and accelerated the transition to climate neutrality.

A series of four online meetings were scheduled to strengthen relationships among city representatives. These sessions provided a valuable space for participants to exchange ideas, share best practices, and discuss challenges faced in their urban environments. They also served to learn about new tools and methods to implement the values of the New European Bauhaus.

BENEFITS OF THE COMMUNITY OF CITIES

  • Integration with EU initiatives: joining the Community of Cities connected cities with key EU policy initiatives, including the New European Bauhaus and the European Green Deal.
  • Peer-to-peer support: it served as a space where cities could collaborate with other city representatives across Europe, sharing best practices, effective solutions and key challenges.
  • Technological tools to support decarbonisation policies: the EHHUR project was developing a Decision Support System (DSS) tool.

DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM (DSS) TOOL

The DSS Tool is a web-based application designed to provide tailored recommendations to help municipalities integrate decarbonisation strategies in their current policies. By answering key questions about district size, energy and environment characteristics, social aspects and finacial features, cities receive customised guidance on the best social, economic, and technological solutions for their specific areas.

CITIES PART OF THE COMMUNITY

A total of 45 cities from 17 countries were part of the Community of Cities, actively engaging in the exchange of knowledge and experiences to foster the circular economy at local level. The participating cities include:

AUSTRIA: Graz

BELGIUM: Ath, Turnhout, Lier, Geel

BULGARIA: Ardino, Haskovo

CROATIA: Zagreb, Sisak

CZECH REPUBLIC: Prague

DENMARK: Copenhagen, Helsingor, Lyngby-Taarbæk, Ringkøbing-Skjern, Næstved, Vallensbæk, Odsherred, Norddjurs, Vordingborg, Roskilde, Silkeborg, Ishøj

FINLAND: Helsinki

GREECE: Ioannina

HUNGARY: Ujpest

ITALY: Turin, Tertenia, Fabrica di Roma, Siena

LITHUANIA: Kaunas

NETHERLANDS: Utrecht, Amsterdam

NORWAY: Østfold, Bergen, Bodø, Stavanger, Sarpsborg

PORTUGAL: Trofa, Valongo

SLOVAKIA: Horné Srnie, Bratislava

SPAIN: Forua

TURKEY: Izmir, Artvin, Manisa

Meeting dates

The Community of Cities met on the following dates:

  • Meeting 1: Friday, 13 December 2024 | 10:00–12:00 CET

  • Meeting 2: Monday, 10 March 2025 | 10:00–12:00 CET

  • Meeting 3: Tuesday, 17 June 2025 | 10:00–12:00 CET

  • Meeting 4: Wednesday, 24 September 2025 | 10:00-12:00 CET