URBACT

Registrations for the 2026 close on 30 September!

📅 On 12 October, URBACT will join ESPON Programme, Interact Programme and Interreg Europe for a joint session. Secure your spot!

📅 On 14 October, you can meet our team at our stand in the exhibition area! 👋

If you're attending the European Week of Regions and Cities, we'd love to see you there!

Register now: https://urbact.eu/news/strong-interreg-strong-regions-strong-europe

Every ending is a new beginning.
After three days of learning, sharing, celebrating and connecting, the URBACT Pioneers Accelerator journey in Sarajevo comes to a close.

The last day of the event was a moment to pause and reflect - on what the programme has achieved, what the Pioneers have learned, and how the experience can continue to shape their work back home. The final discussions brought together Pioneers and programme evaluators, followed by an inspiring workshop looking towards the future.

From Pioneers to Leaders, the journey continues.

A huge thank you to all the Pioneers, mentors, experts, partners and colleagues who made this journey possible — and to Sarajevo for hosting us.

The programme may be coming to an end, but the ideas, connections and actions continue.

27 cities. One learning journey. Many new beginnings.

📍 🚶🏽‍♀️🚏Pedestrian paths, affordable public transport & school crossing lanes are just a few ways cities satisfy different 'mobility needs'.

In the spirit of European , discover how 5 URBACT Networks are making mobility plans for everyone:

🚸SCHOOLHOODS worked with children and schools to make everyday journeys safer.

♿ S.M.ALL put accessibility and inclusion at the centre of mobility planning.

🌍 ECONNECTING explored how better connections can strengthen urban-rural territories.

🏘️ Beyond the Urban tested new ways of rethinking movement between cities and surrounding areas.

🛣️ PUMA helped cities turn mobility ambitions into practical action plans.

The strongest mobility plans don't stop at strategy, they bring together people, partnerships and practical testing to create lasting change.

Read the full article by Karolina Orcholska 👉 https://urbact.eu/whats-new/articles/from-mobility-plans-to-practice-five-urbact-networks

From pioneers to leaders! What a day in Sarajevo at the URBACT Pioneers Accelerator Final Showcasing Event!

Today, 27 cities from the Western Balkans came together to celebrate an 18-month journey of learning, cooperation and action, and to show how cities can turn European values and sustainable urban development principles into tangible change on the ground.

From inspiring Pioneers stories and city actions, to a powerful discussion on accelerating sustainable transformation in Europe, the day showcased the ideas, leadership and determination driving change across the region.

🌱 A particularly symbolic moment was the planting of the Tree of Tomorrow with respective mayors and elected representatives, bringing together the ambitions and visions of participating cities and reaffirming their commitment to building better cities.

And the message from today is clear: change happens through action, through small, tangible steps that build trust, shift behaviours and create momentum for transformation. 💡

The journey does not end here! 🤝 Together, cities are shaping a more sustainable, inclusive and future-oriented Western Balkans.

Find out more about the : https://urbact.eu/networks/urbact-pioneers-accelerator

The URBACT Pioneers are in Sarajevo! They will take the main stage today at their Final Showcasing Event…🥁 But every great moment starts behind the scenes.

Before sharing their stories, they came together yesterday for a day of reflection, preparation and looking ahead.

Together, we looked back at the learning journey, rehearsed the urban stories and actions that will be shared at a the Showcasing Event, and explored how to take ideas further through strategic foresight and scale-up planning.

The day also took us into Sarajevo to discover inspiring urban practices, a chance to learn from the city while exchanging experiences with fellow Pioneers.

💡 Reflecting on the journey.
🤝 Learning from each other.
🚀 Getting ready for what comes next.

Today, the spotlight belongs to the Pioneers.

👀 Keep an eye on our Instagram stories today for key moments and takeaways from Sarajevo City Hall: https://www.instagram.com/urbact.eu/

⏳ The countdown is on: just one month until the URBACT and European Urban Initiative’s EU City Lab on !

11 European cities will come together in Brussels to exchange practical solutions!

🎙️ The discussions will be guided by the moderators, Orna Rosenfeld and Levente Polyak, helping connect local experiences to the wider European dialogue on housing.

🎙️ Matthew Baldwin, Head of the European Commission Housing Task Force, will frame affordable housing within the European Affordable Housing Plan during his keynote speech.

Curious to see who else is joining the conversation?

Check out the programme: https://urbact.eu/events/eu-city-lab-housing

🇪🇺 This Wednesday morning, the European Commission will set out its priorities for the European Union for the year ahead.

President Ursula von der Leyen will deliver the State of the Union (SOTEU) speech in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, reflecting on the European Commission’s achievements and outlining the priorities for the coming year.

📅 16 September 2026
🕘 09:00 - 11:50 (CEST)
📍 European Parliament, Strasbourg
💻 Live-streamed

Follow the here: https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/state-union_en

The 2026 URBACT City Festival is just around the corner! 👀🇨🇾

Since our last update, plenty has changed about the 2026 , and not just the dates.

Whether you joined us in Wrocław, or are new to the URBACT City Festival, discover what awaits in Nicosia!

Read the article: https://urbact.eu/whats-new/articles/check-urbact-city-festival-2026