URBACT (co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund - ERDF)

URBACT drives change for better cities

Since 2002, URBACT has been driving change all over Europe by enabling the cooperation and idea exchange amongst cities within thematic networks, by building the skills of local stakeholders in the design and implementation of integrated and participatory policies, and by sharing knowledge and good city practices.

Core principles

Cities are at the forefront of today’s greatest challenges and opportunities. Climate change, intergenerational gaps and digital disruption are just some common turning points for European cities. And yet, cities are also home to cultural diversity, economic opportunities and essential services. It’s by sharing experiences with other cities that we can harness the many opportunities of sustainable urban development. This is where URBACT comes in.

URBACT promotes integrated development to support cities implement horizontal and vertical policy integration. Positive change can best be made when local authorities collaborate with different levels of governance (regional, national, EU) –vertical integration – and when they tackle challenges and problems in a holistic way that considers environmental, economic, and social dimensions at the same time – horizontal integration.

URBACT has developed a series of processes and tools, as a part of the URBACT Method. It encourages cities to re-think centralised governance structures and shift towards more inclusive and holistic models. URBACT’s participatory approach recognises that sustainable urban development is driven by action-oriented strategies, which are co-created and implemented with local people.

URBACT IV (2021 - 2027)

For the period 2021-2027, URBACT IV builds on the legacy of past Programmes and includes even more opportunities for cities to make positive change. The current Programme integrates the crosscutting EU priorities of digital, green and gender-equal policy-making into its activities.

Previously successful types of Networks like Action Planning and Transfer will continue, while a new type of Network will be developed to strengthen the connections between the European Urban Initiative and the URBACT Method.

For the first time, URBACT provides support to towns and cities in EU pre-accession countries – Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia. Their participation in the URBACT programme is financed by the EU’s Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA).

The programme is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) with a budget of EUR 79 769 000 and by the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance with a budget of EUR 5 000 000 for the period 2021-2027.

More information about the URBACT IV programme is provided at the:

• Operational Cooperation Programme 

URBACT over the years

URBACT IV follows builds on from previous Programme cycles:

• URBACT III, 2014-2020, supported 678 partner cities across Europe and focused on sharing good practices through transfer networks and implementing integrated action plans. The Evaluation Summary of URBACT III can be found here. 
   
• URBACT II, 2007-2013, broadened the Programme’s scope to focus on sustainable urban development across a wide range of policy areas and included capacity-building initiatives for the first time.
   
• URBACT’s first cycle – URBACT I – ran from 2002 to 2006 and built upon EU pilot projects starting in the late 1980s that developed integrated approaches to urban regeneration.

Check here the URBACT III beneficiaries' list.

European landscape

URBACT is closely aligned with and contributes to the EU’s priorities.

A key aim of URBACT IV is to “enhance the institutional capacity of public authorities”. This contributes to sustainable urban development objectives and aims “to reinforce the effectiveness of the EU's Cohesion Policy. URBACT has an officially recognised role to play in achieving Policy Objective 5 – bringing “Europe closer to citizens by fostering the sustainable and integrated development of all types of territories”.

URBACT contributes to the partnerships of the Urban Agenda for the EU and the renewal of the Leipzig Charter with the concepts of green, just and productive cities, adopted in 2020 during the German Presidency of the Council of the EU. URBACT also collaborates with other programmes and organisations, including the European Urban Initiative, ESPON, INTERACT, INTERREG EUROPE, Horizon Europe, Council of European Municipalities and Cities, Committee of the Regions, to name a few.

Governance structure

URBACT’s governance structure ensures that activities are transparent, efficient and meet the needs of European cities.

The European Commission (Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy) oversees URBACT and guarantees activities continue to play a key role in the EU Cohesion Policy.

The Monitoring Committee, which is represented by the EU Member and Partner States, the European Commission, IPA Countries, the European Committee of the Regions and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, defines the strategic direction of the URBACT programme and takes decisions about activities to be implemented. The members of the Monitoring Committee also exchange on the needs of cities, thematic priorities, programme links with European Urban Initiative and cohesion policy at national and European level.

The Managing Authority, hosted by the French National Agency for Territorial Cohesion (Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires), is in charge of the management of the URBACT programme.

The URBACT Joint Secretariat, based in Paris (FR), implements the decisions taken by the Monitoring Committee. The Secretariat designs and delivers activities related to the objectives of the URBACT Programme.
 

URBACT supports cities to develop integrated practices

Cities can learn a great deal from each other’s experiences, that’s why URBACT funds and supports networks of cities. Partners share ideas around bottom-up initiatives and co-design long-term strategies and urban policies – all at European and local levels.

City-makers need the right skills to make positive change and to push for more integrated and participative practices. This is why URBACT proposes capacity-building activities and tools for city representatives and urban professionals.

To inspire practitioners and decision-makers in the EU and beyond, URBACT capitalises on cities’ success stories by sharing urban knowledge and policy recommendations. Thematic insights are disseminated in different formats to spread the word about URBACT and its Method.

URBACT Networks

An URBACT Network is a safe space for a group of cities facing similar challenges to share experiences and to develop long-term solutions. Cities develop their activities with local stakeholders – change makers from the public and private sectors, academia, NGOs and civil society – as part of their URBACT Local Group. 

There are three types of Networks under URBACT IV, which cities and other bodies – metropolitan areas, specialised agencies, districts and boroughs – can apply to join:  

• Action Planning Networks – cities and local stakeholders co-produce an Integrated Action Plan to tackle their common challenges. Read stories of cities in action here.
• Transfer Networks – cities share and adapt a successful Good Practice that has already been implemented in a Network’s city. Discover how good practices can be transferred from one city to another here.
• Innovation Transfer Mechanism Networks – cities adapt the experience of a successful Urban Innovative Actions’ project and develop an investment plan to implement it.

Each Network can consist of between five and twelve partner cities, depending on the type of Network and in accordance with the methodological framework. A city – a municipality, city administration or local authority – can apply to become the Lead Partner, playing the main role ofsupporting other Project Partners and designing the exchange and learning journey.

Cities benefit from financial support for staff working on the network, for travel and accommodation to participate in Network meetings and for implementing pilot projects at local level. They also benefit from the guidance of at least one URBACT Validated Expert, who accompanies the Network along the way and advises cities on topics, methods, meeting facilitation and local plans.    

Interested in taking part in a Network? Find out how to get involved!

The URBACT community is all over Europe

The URBACT community is all over Europe, at all levels – from the EU sphere to local, regional and national levels.  URBACT cities can connect with peers in the same territory, join forces and push for change. If you are a newcomer, reach out to former or current cities and national representatives to learn more about the Programme and how to be involved in URBACT!

National representatives

URBACT is present in all 27 EU Member States, Partner States and five EU Pre-accession countries – Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.

In each of these countries, there is a National Authority (Ministry) involved in the URBACT Monitoring Committee, that’s in charge of the strategic orientations and decision-making of the URBACT Monitoring Committee.

In most of these countries a National URBACT Point carries communication and capacity-building activities in native language for all the cities and urban professionals.  More information is available in the following section (National URBACT Points).

National URBACT Points

National URBACT Points are in charge of communicating to cities and urban professionals of their countries in their native languages. They are represented by national ministries, city associations, universities or other private agencies. By the end of URBACT III, 24 National URBACT Points operate in 27 countries: Austria and Germany; France and Luxembourg; Greece and Cyprus having a joint National URBACT Point.

To communicate about URBACT calls for Networks, results from cities and other information on urban development, they organise infodays and use different channels – a dedicated URBACT webpage in national language (see links below), a Twitter account (@URBACT_abbreviation of the country, ie. @URBACT_PT) and other social media.

Find the complete contact list of the National URBACT Points here.

Knowledge Hub

The URBACT Knowledge Hub brings together a series of thematic insights. It’s the place where initiatives sparked by URBACT cities have room to grow and evolve. The content shared is accessible to urban enthusiasts across Europe and beyond.

Localising the 2030 Agenda

Localising the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be a powerful framework for long term impact at local level. Combined with the URBACT Method, the global goals from the Agenda 2030 can be turned into a reality in cities. Find out how!

Read more about Localising the 2030 Agenda

Mobility

Discover a series of booklets, guidance and inspiration to tackle challenges linked to urban mobility and improve public spaces. Building from the experience from the past round of Action Planning Networks, URBACT brings to you the Walk'n'Roll initiative!

Read more about Mobility

Food and sustainable local systems

Find out how cities can benefit from local and sustainable food systems, some good food for thought! From gardens to your plate, understand how this subject can touch on policy-making, community building and much more.

Read more about Food and sustainable local systems

Gender Equality