The preliminary agenda has been designed to gather valuable input from urban stakeholders to the EU’s future policy agenda for cities, while also offering participants the chance to exchange on sustainable urban development solutions and discover practical examples of how cities across Europe are tackling urban transitions.
Start exploring the preliminary agenda
During three days of high-level discussions, interactive workshops, and site visits, participants will delve into Europe’s most pressing urban challenges and explore hands-on approaches for sustainable and inclusive cities.
Highlights of the programme
- Day 1 – Setting the stage
After kicking off the discussions at the Opening session, the Forum will focus on a key priority for cities across Europe: funding sustainable urban development.
In the afternoon, participants will have the opportunity to take part in project visits and see first-hand how the host city of Kraków is promoting sustainable urban planning and growth on the ground, thanks also to EU Cohesion policy funds. These visits will offer valuable inspiration from real-life initiatives and provide the perfect setting to start building connections.
- Day 2 – Deep dives into key urban priorities
The EU Stakeholder Dialogue, a dynamic and structured discussion for an informed and inclusive EU policy agenda for cities, involving key stakeholders and Cities Forum participants, is planned on the second day.
The parallel sessions will tackle pressing urban topics such as affordable housing, climate action, digital transition and inclusive growth. In addition, operational topics crucial in driving urban transformation like capacity building, multi-level governance, and international cooperation will be addressed.
- Day 3 – Looking ahead
The much-anticipated Mayors’ debate, where city leaders will share insights on climate resilience, social inclusion, and digital transformation, might take place on the third day of the Forum. More parallel sessions will explore essential topics such as sustainable urban mobility, better regulation for urban development and culture and cultural heritage, before concluding with key takeaways and next steps for Europe’s urban future.
- Networking that matters
Participants will have numerous opportunities to network and exchange with urban practitioners, policymakers, and experts from across Europe and meet the members of the Portico community, the EU urban knowledge platform. The Urban Contact Points network will play an active role in facilitating collaboration and providing guidance on accessing EU support for sustainable urban development.
To ensure the best possible experience for participants, the agenda presented today is provisional and subject to change in the coming weeks.
What’s next?
Visit the official Cities Forum platform for the latest news, updates on speakers, session details, and more details about how you can participate in ‘Empowering cities, shaping Europe’s future’.
Registration for the Cities Forum 2025 opens mid-March 2025. Stay tuned!
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