The URBACTpioneers Accelerator is a learning programme for cities from the EU accession countries of the Western Balkans: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.
The aim is to support cities from the region to address specific urban challenges with sustainable solutions in line with the EU’s integrated policy framework for sustainable urban development, values and practices. Exploring inspiring good practices from EU cities and providing expert support in structured action learning around integrated and participatory approaches in project design and delivery.
Around 20 cities from the Western Balkans region with their municipal teams will be selected to join this unique URBACT journey. URBACT aims to create a generation of urban professional leaders who will shape the future of their cities in a new way, and be recognised as pioneers and champions for their peers in the region.
The URBACTpioneers Accelerator Programme responds to the unique socio-political and economic context of the Western Balkans region with related thematic and operational challenges for the implementation of sustainable urban development policies.
Cities will be able to focus on specific urban challenges, including the following thematic areas:
Sustainable mobility
Waste management
Urban nature
Jobs and support for SMEs
Sustainable tourism development
Culture
Transversal themes, including digitalisation, environmental sustainability and social inclusion, will be applied across all themes, ensuring that cities adopt a holistic approach
During the 18 months of the URBACTpioneers Accelerator journey, local city teams are expected to follow a structured and immersive learning process in several parallel activities:
Uptake:
This dimension ensures that all participating cities adopt the core methodological approaches and project management tools. This will include in-person events and workshops, as well as online master classes and personalized support sessions.
Research
Cities gathered around a common thematic challenge will visit inspiring cities in the EU and explore potential solutions and good practices that will provide a deepening of thematic knowledge.
Action:
In each participating city, local teams will apply a "learning by doing" approach and take action by implementing a concrete small-scale pilot project - visible quick wins on the ground.
The learning path will be divided into four key phases, each phase with a set of approaches and tools to ensure the efficient implementation of the pilot projects. In addition to integrated tools for policy design and implementation, the accelerator specifically focuses on creating positive social impact by adopting effective approaches to communication and stakeholder engagement, building a shared vision and increasing citizens' trust in decision-making - one of the most significant challenges in the region.
The URBACTpioneers accelerator is scheduled to start in April 2025. In addition, all selected cities will secure a place at the upcoming URBACT Cities Festival to be held in Wrocław, Poland from 8 to 10 April 2025.
The special call for cities from the Western Balkans to join the URBACTpioneers accelerator was launched on Tuesday, 19 November 2024. Interested cities will be able to apply until 22 January 2025!
All information is available on the website: https://urbact.eu/get-involved