Sally Kneeshaw

Summary

For over 30 years I have been working as an urban practitioner, policy maker and facilitator at EU and local level.

I am fortunate to have worked directly with URBACT for 14 years now. I started out as Lead Expert of the Electric Vehicles in Urban Europe network, and from 2013 to 2023 have been Programme Expert. Over this period I have supported all three programme strands of transnational exchange and learning, capacity building and knowledge capitalisation. I have been in the design team of all URBACT Universities and City Festivals. As a member of the Capacity Building Task Force, I developed Guidance for Action Planning, supported studies on the integrated approach, pilot actions and co-produced new online training modules on Gender Responsive Public Procurement (GRPP). I led the Gender Equal Cities Knowledge Hub initiative, producing the first report and disseminating its powerful ideas across many platforms such as UN Habitat.

At EU level I am also an Expert for European Urban Initiative Capacity Building team conducting Peer Reviews. I have been the moderator for two editions of the European Commission Cities Forum.

I keep my feet on the ground working at local level in London on strategy design and project delivery. I managed the development of the London Borough of Lambeth Creative and Digital Industries Strategy, which incorporated review of workspace, cluster effects, activation of the public realm and strong focus on diversity and inclusion. I was expert for the Mayor of London’s Social Integration and Regeneration Lab and Network- a network of boroughs each with a specific place-based project to create buildings/ high streets/ open spaces that connect communities. I currently work with a multi-agency coalition to embed inclusion in the Life Sciences sector.

I have a strong belief in and commitment to the URBACT approach, having witnessed its positive impact. The URBACT method helps cities to develop better integrated policy, to channel resources towards well-conceived, evidence based and needs-led initiatives. The transnational exchange serves to connect people, ideas and knowledge in our common mission to drive sustainability at local level.

I look forward to supporting more city change-makers across the EU, in order to address the multiple challenges we face. Feel free to get in touch to explore new collaborations!