Author: indy

Regions: IURC Asia & Australasia Second Thematic Cluster Breakout Session

The fifth session of Region-to-Regional Cooperation brought together 50+ participants from various regions including Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, and Japan to discuss cooperation in industrial transition, agribusiness, blue economy, and clean energy. The meeting featured a presentation from the Region of Valencia on their Blue Economy Strategy and included breakout sessions for participants to discuss specific thematic areas. The...

IURC Webinar Explores Horizon Europe Opportunities for Global City and Regional Cooperation

The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme hosted a successful webinar on Horizon Europe – Opportunities for IURC Pilot Cities and Regions, bringing together around 50 participants from Europe, Asia, and Australasia. The session explored how local and regional governments can engage in the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme to foster global partnerships and sustainable urban development. The...

IURC Kickstarts Online Thematic Cluster Series with Cities in the EU, Asia and Australasia – Mobility

The first two online thematic cluster sessions on mobility and transport were held this week, featuring presentations from 6 cities. The sessions counted over 100 participants from IURC pilot cities in the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and India. The initial phase of the IURC thematic clustering approach (September-October 2025) helps pilot cities and regions...

Turin – Nagoya: Developing a creative and smart city

Turin and Nagoya aim to be a vibrant hub for industrial and social innovation. Turin learned of Nagoya’s entrepreneurial education for children. In return, Nagoya learned how to develop demonstration projects using public spaces from Turin. Case Study Nagoya Turin FINAL

Maia Circular Economy Cooperation – EcoSchool Videos

The City of Maia and its communication partners Biorumo have completed six (6) "Do-It-Yourself" videos on circular economy waste management. These videos were shared with Kuala Lumpur City Hall during the Climate Change Seminar on 21 September which attracted 270 pax in-person attendance. Susana Pinho, Senior Technician from Maia City Council was instrumental in executing this with Mr. Carlos Mendes,...

City resilience at the forefront of EU-India city partnerships

The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Programme was formally launched in India in February 2022 and worked with 14 Indian cities and 9 European cities, through 9 city pairings and five single cities. The programme focused on exchange of best practices, thematic cluster workshops, exchange visits, bi-lateral meetings, etc. For three city pairings it was possible to design and...

Portugal-Malaysia Pilot Action: Penang Eco-School Delegation to Famalicão

From 20 to 25 November 2023, Vila Nova de Famalicao (VNF) hosted the second cohort of the eco-school student exchange programme “Famalicao-Penang Youth Climate Action”, which has been awarded the support of IURC's competitive fund. The mission focused on closing the loop on food waste and other waste streams. The Malaysian delegation consisted of one principal and two top students...

Japanese hydrogen energy companies visit Essen and Brussels

Three representatives of the Japanese energy company Nihon Koei from Koriyama along with city officials travelled to Europe to participate in the bootcamp on hydrogen energy offered by the economic promotion agency of Essen (an IURC pilot city).  The agenda included business meetings with several counterparts in Essen. It also included participation at the EU Hydrogen Week 2023 taking place...

Brisbane joins the Smart City Expo 2023 in Barcelona

Two delegates from Brisbane City Council visited Barcelona from 6-10 November 2023 to participate in the Smart City Expo / Smart City World Congress and to conduct bilateral meetings with several departments from Barcelona City Council. Rebecca Arnaud, Legacy and Precinct Planning Manager for the Brisbane 2032 Host City, and Juliet Alabaster, Chief Operating Officer at Brisbane Economic Development Agency,...

Melbourne City Experts meet counterparts in Barcelona and Madrid

A delegation from the City of Melbourne absolved a study visit in Spain from 23 - 27 October 2023. The delegation consisted of Jordi McInerney (Innovation Precincts), Lauren Beattie (Transportation Planning) and Kelly Hertzog (Parks and City Greening Division). They were supported by Prof. Bruce Wilson (RMIT), IURC Coordinator for Australia. The mission started in Barcelona, where delegates met with the...