Networks and cities' news

Diary of an international talent in Leuven

The Welcoming International Talent project focusses on welcoming international students and expats in medium sized European cities. Aim is to improve welcoming policies of these seven cities with various projects. But how do internationals themselves experience living in these welcoming cities? In this column, an international from each WIT-city will share their experiences. This time: Alexander from Leuven, Belgium!

Reflections of the lead partner

Jan Kees Kleuver is coordinator of the Welcoming International Talent project and works for the municipality of Groningen. We asked him how he sees the last couple of months of the WIT project and what his plans are for the next period. 

Bees would say “You need me, honey!” and we challenge you to “Bee a year 2021”!

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Transfer Story from Riga: Finding new forms for stronger cooperation with Riga`s NGOs or Riga`s NGO House “expands beyond its walls”

“The Riga NGO House is an excellent place for non-governmental organisations to gather, and yet, how could we – the residents of other neighbourhoods of Riga – use all of its services?” The question came from an energetic representative of an NGO, who lives and works in Pārdaugava, across the Daugava River, during a seminar at the NGO House. She went on explaining: “This is the only House of this kind in Riga, and we also want to organise events in our neighbourhoods, closer to our places of residence, we want to engage in the activities held by the participants of the NGO House. Can we organise jointly a networking event in our neighbourhood?” Such questions are more frequently heard at the NGO House, sometimes outlining a particular direction of development that the NGO House should take – to spread its wings in other neighbourhoods of Riga. 

TRANSFER STORY - HOW TO IMPLEMENT URBAN GARDENS

In recent years urban gardening has come to constitute a practice that responds to many needs of communities as it is capable of promoting a sense of community, stimulating social cohesion, experimenting with innovative production and management models for public spaces and strengthening urban ecosystems through increasing urban biodiversity and fighting climate change.

Manchester and C-Change recognised at The Creative Green Awards Programme (UK)

UK sustainability organisation, Julie’s Bicycle, established its ‘Creative Green Awards’ programme in 2017 to celebrate and showcase the arts and culture sector’s leadership in climate action.

The Programme has several award categories: Outstanding Achievement; Best Newcomer; Highest Achievement for Commitment; Highest Achievement for Understanding; and Highest Commitment for Improvement and Creative Green Champions. Two new open categories were added to the 2020 programme - Best Campaign and Best Creative Programming. Manchester representatives were nominated in two categories.