Category: Thematic Network


The cooperation will be organized along the following Thematic Networks,
to tackle three Cross-Cutting Challenges.

EU–Taiwan Launch of IURC II Project Strengthens City-to-City Cooperation

Taipei, 5 September 2025 – The International Urban and Regional Cooperation Programme (IURC) officially launched its Taiwan component today at the Taipei World Trade Center International Trade Building. The event marked a significant step in fostering collaboration between European and Taiwanese cities.Mr. Lutz Güllner, Head of Office of the European Economic and Trade Office (EETO) in Taiwan, opened the event...

Launch of Second Phase in Australia with Six Australian Cities and Regions Joining the IURC Programme

The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Asia & Australasia programme officially launched its second phase at Melbourne Town Hall on August 27, 2025. The event brought together the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, EU Ambassador to Australia Gabriel Visentin, and the European Union Centre of Excellence at RMIT University, alongside leaders from six selected Australian cities and regions. The IURC...

IURC Asia & Australasia Announces Selection of 30 Cities and 16 Regions from the EU

The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Asia & Australasia programme has entered a new and ambitious phase of cooperation with the launch of its introductory thematic clustering sessions. The process brings together 30 EU cities, 16 EU regions, and a similar number of partners from Asia and Australasia (AA), creating a diverse and balanced platform for multilateral collaboration. The geographic spread among...

IURC Asia & Australasia Launches Thematic Cooperation Phase with Global Online Event

The EU-funded International Urban and Regional Cooperation Asia & Australasia (IURC AA) programme officially launched its 2025 thematic clusters with an Online Launch Event held on Wednesday, 3 September 2025, gathering cities and regions across Asia, Australasia, and Europe with 197 participants. This event marked the beginning of a new phase of cooperation focused on thematic clustering and pilot project development aligned with EU...

IURC Malaysia and Singapore Officials Engage ASEAN Forums 2025: ASUF, AGMF, MGMAC in Kuala Lumpur

The EU-funded International Urban and Regional Cooperation for Asia–Australasia extends its sincere thanks to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government’s Centre of Excellence – Urbanice Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (an IURC non-pilot city), and UCLG-ASPAC for establishing strategic engagement platforms for our IURC cities during the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanization Forum (ASUF), held alongside the ASEAN Governors and Mayors...

EU-Singapore Urban and Regional Cooperation: Kick-off Meeting with Pilot Cities

The IURC Asia-Australasia programme held its fifth kick-off meeting in the Asia-Australasia region with the Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC), Ministry of National Development, Singapore. Objectives of the kick-off meeting: The meeting served as a platform for EUD Singapore, CLC, and IURC To meet and share their aspirations, and potential areas CLC would like to strengthen in relation to urban...

EU-Malaysia Urban and Regional Cooperation: Kick-off Meeting with Pilot Cities

The IURC Asia-Australasia programme launched its fourth kick-off meeting in the Asia-Australasia region on 17 July 2025, this time with Malaysian pilot cities: Seberang Perai, Penang (a graduate city) and Iskandar Regional Development Authority, Johor (a newcomer city). Ms. Viktorija Kaidalova, representing the EU Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (Regional Team for Asia and the Pacific), outlined the programme’s goals...

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,...

Thematic Webinar Series – Closing Modules

Thematic Webinar Series - Closing Modules Monday 11 December - 22 December 2023 08:00 am Brussels time (CET) Venue: Online (Zoom link will be sent after registration) The IURC Asia and Australasia team will be running a series of thematic webinars dealing with: EU Funding: Opportunities for possible pilot / follow-up actions Tactical Urbanism – Deep Dive and Pilot Actions Smart...

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...