As the European Union embarks on a new financial programming period, cities are uniquely positioned to influence and benefit from EU policies. This conference will focus on strengthening the role of cities in the EU, ensuring their priorities influence policy and funding decisions. The agenda will address navigating new EU financial frameworks, enhancing advocacy, maximizing funding opportunities, building policy engagement capacities, fostering inter-city cooperation, and maintaining urban issues on the EU agenda.

Topics to be addressed:

• EU Financial Frameworks: Challenges and opportunities of the new EU budgetary period
• Urban Priorities in EU Policies: Strategies to keep city-centric challenges and solutions at the forefront of policy discussions
• Advocacy and Lobby: Workshops to boost advocacy skills and/or efforts in influencing EU policies that concerns cities
• EU Funding Strategies: Sessions on tapping into EU funds, showcasing successful projects
• Advancing climate action through regional collaboration in the context of the European Green Deal
• Supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction and fostering regional stability

Participation: Expected to attract over 200 city representatives, EU officials, policymakers, and stakeholders from the Baltic Sea region and beyond, fostering dialogue and collaborations essential for urban influence in EU affairs.

The latest programme and related documents are available on the event page.

Sessions of the UBC Sustainable Cities Commission

4 November 16.30 – 17.30: Meet and Greet with UBC SCC

4 November 17.30 – 19.00: Workshop "Urban sustainability arena for sharing success strategies and solutions"