The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme proudly marked its successful participation at the EU Cities Forum 2025, held last week in Kraków, Poland. As one of the key platforms for dialogue on sustainable urban development in Europe, the Forum brought together city leaders, policy makers, and practitioners to advance the goals of the EU Urban Agenda and Green Deal.
The IURC programme was featured prominently throughout the event, engaging in multiple sessions and dialogues that showcased innovative practices from international partnerships spanning Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Highlights of IURC’s engagement included:
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Thematic Session on Innovation Beyond Borders: International Cooperation Empowering European Cities: Moderated by the IURC team, the session included hands-on testimonials from former IURC pilot cities (Oulou, Rome, Sofia), regions (Coimbra) and UN HABITAT about the added-value of IURC engagement.
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Interactive Stand at the Forum Expo: The IURC booth attracted a steady stream of visitors, offering interactive materials, videos, and expert insights into ongoing pilot projects and the impact of international cooperation on local sustainable development.
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Networking and Knowledge Exchange: IURC facilitated targeted exchanges between European cities and their international peers, highlighting successful partnerships and scaling opportunities in areas such as circular economy, social inclusion, and smart city innovation.
The EU DG REGIO Policy Officer, Lutz Köppen, emphasized:
“The EU Cities Forum in Kraków demonstrated the value of global partnerships in accelerating urban innovation. The IURC programme continues to empower cities to learn from one another and co-create solutions for a competitive, sustainable and more inclusive future.”
As the IURC programme moves into its new phase of implementation, its presence in Kraków reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to global collaboration and city diplomacy as essential tools for tackling shared urban challenges.
The IURC project team featured the ongoing Call for EU Cities and Regions to cooperate with Asia, Australasia and Latin America
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