Networks and cities' news

The vision of the city of Kuopio – to become a capital of good life where one health approach is adapted in all policies and among all citizens

Kuopio is the 8th largest city in Finland, and in Eastern Finland, it is a central city with the population of 124 000. According to the international survey, Finland has been rated as the happiest country of the world. According to the national Finnish survey, the citizens of Kuopio rate themselves as happy more often than in other cities. More needs to be explored for the determinants of happiness in Kuopio, but there is no doubt the closeness of nature - lakes, forests and parks - and an easy access to nature is one of the answers to our happiness rates, as several surveys have indicated.  Of Kuopio’s area (4 326 km2) half is covered by forest and one forth consists of lakes. The Puijo forest, a large Natura 2000 protected recreational area is located right next to the city centre and the city is surrounded by the lake Kallavesi. It is no wonder several nature based wellbeing promotion services has been developed and implemented in Kuopio with good results. Kuopio is proud to be a forerunner in implementing nature-based solutions. Nevertheless, there is more to be done to enhance human, nature and animal health in Kuopio.  

ARCHETHICS at Buzludzha Festival 2024: memories of the future in the heart of Bulgaria mountains

Meet Sinead Mc Donnell, one of Ireland's Local Authority Biodiversity Officers!

Urban biodiversity as a category refers to the variety of living organisms as well as the multiplicity of habitats in and around dense human settlements. The conservation work to mitigate biodiversity loss is more or less the same in the city and outside of urban areas, however, some sub-themes such as awareness-raising, mitigating the heat-island effects and other urban disaster risks, green infrastructure and the fight against invasive species make the urban aspects important within biodiversity conservation. The most important thing is that cities offer unique opportunities for learning and education about a resilient and sustainable future and have a large potential to boost innovations and governance tools.

Clermont Innovation Week 2024 under the banner of gender equality

The Clermont Innovation Week (CIW) was back from 2 to 11 April 2024. This week of events, coordinated by Clermont Auvergne Metropole, puts the spotlight on science and innovation, with a rich program of over 50 events: conferences, exchanges and experiments on subjects ranging from deeptech to social innovation.
For this 7th edition, with regards to the Urbact program FEMACT-cities, the CIW was placed under the banner of gender equality as a transversal theme running through the entire program.

International Biodiversity Day Celebrated in Sarajevo: Interactive Lecture, Planting, and Intergenerational Gathering

Sarajevo, May 22, 2024 – As part of the Urbact program and the "BiodiverCity" project, sponsored by the European Union, the City of Sarajevo organized the celebration of International Biodiversity Day. The event took place at the School for Vocational Education and Training, Azize Šaćirbegović 80, and gathered a large number of participants, including the ULG coordinator, ULG members, employees of the Sarajevo City Sustainable Development Service, the Center for Healthy Aging, school students, and citizens.

Small Scale Co-creation Action in Kavala, Greece

How can municipalities be facilitators of local green transition? 💚 🌱 🏙 

".. There are no linear processes when municipalities function as facilitators instead of doers and co-create with local residents..." 

Meet our partner IO CHATZIVARYTI from the Municipality of Kavala, who talks about the co-creation process of transforming an unused and unsafe park into a cozy meeting place for the local community's green activities and gatherings.

The URBACT network COPE consists of 8 European municipalities, working to engage the local community in the green transition. 

COPE has just held the third network meeting - this time we were in Kavala, Greece, where we learned more about how the Municipality of Kavala is working to engage the local community in the green transition. It was a very inspiring and educational trip for all partners. 💪 

Watch the video and read more on https://lnkd.in/d6baqfPZ