Portugal is the country with the most candidate cities for URBACT Innovation Transfer Networks

Of the 19 applications submitted to the URBACT competition for Innovation Transfer Networks, 15 include national partners. Portugal is, therefore, the most represented country in this call for the European program, which invited cities to transfer and adapt projects completed within the scope of Innovative Urban Actions (Urban Innovative Actions – UIA).

In total, proposals were received from 109 partners, from 25 countries, who are now waiting for the selection process, which has already begun, to be completed. The announcement of those elected is scheduled for June 28, the date on which at least 10 Innovation Transfer Networks must be selected.

Then, they start working during the month of September, with the cities that received funding from the UIA (between 2016 and 2023) sharing their experience and knowledge with other municipalities. In practice, for two years, the different partners will participate in exchange and learning activities, work on their respective investment plans (or continuity plans, in the case of main partners) and take advantage of training and knowledge opportunities in URBACT, a European program dedicated to sustainable urban development.

Spain and Italy, with 14 candidate cities, appear just after Portugal on the list of candidates, while Greece is in fourth place, with 11 candidate partners. Belgium and Poland follow, both with seven, and Hungary, with five. Remember that, according to the rules of this call, each network cannot have more than one project partner from the same country.

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In terms of thematic areas, the most chosen were “Employment and skills in the local economy” and “Urban poverty”, with three project proposals, while the themes “Culture and cultural heritage”, “Digital transition” and “Urban security” concern two proposals. But there are also candidate projects in other areas of activity, such as adapting cities to climate change, housing or the integration of migrants and refugees.

On the occasion of the launch of the competition, which took place between January 10th and March 20th, the URBACT program recalled that “the transfer of innovative urban solutions is very rarely a copy and paste process”, meaning that “a certain degree of adaptation for genuine transformation” and, “above all, financing”. Also for this reason, this time cities will be allowed to start by testing some actions with a smaller budget before listing them in the investment plan.

Featured photography: © URBACT