Together for green and just cities

Even though implementing EU Cohesion Policy for the 2021-2027 period is still in the early stages, Europe’s cities find themselves in unprecedented times. New challenges arise along with the green and digital transition. Several crises from the pandemic to the war in Ukraine and food and energy insecurity are changing the way citizens live.

In these demanding times, support, dialogue, and cooperation are more important than ever to continue our sustainable urban development efforts so no place is left behind.

Cities Forum 2023 is the place and moment to discuss the urban dimension of Cohesion Policy for 2021-2027, namely how our main investment policy can help cities advance by financing sustainable urban development. A key moment of the event will be the presentation of new EU level initiatives created to support cities. The 5th edition of the Cities Forum will host the official launch of the European Urban Initiative (EUI) and its first EU level capacity building event.

The forum will put a spotlight on the recent developments under the key policies and initiatives which engage cities such: as the Urban Agenda for the EU, the EU Mission for 100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities and explore how the New European Bauhaus can be used to make a difference in local development. As place-based approaches are at the core of Cohesion Policy, we aim to underline the role of small- and medium-sized cities and functional territories in developing tailor-made solutions for local challenges.

Following the theme of this year’s edition, the event will focus on the role of cities in implementing the European Green Deal and the importance of strategic approaches to address the needs for climate adaptation and environmental protection.

The 5th edition of the Cities Forum will provide an opportunity to strengthen the core EU objective of social inclusion by bringing forward measures for welcoming people with a migrant background and for their inclusion at a local level, including but not limited to the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In our efforts to achieve the objective of leaving no one behind, the exchange on effective practices for the socio-economic inclusion of marginalised groups at the local level and preventing and combatting segregation will continue during the forum.

Join us in Torino on 16-17 March 2023 to discover what’s next in sustainable urban development.