EU Green Capital Valencia will host 2024 edition of European Urban Resilience Forum
Crucial aspects of resilience, sustainable development and recovery will be under the thematic spotlight
The municipality is allocating 100,000 euros from its budget for businesses that are struggling and is launching a special competition for the revitalization of the local economy
With national and local authorities turning their gazes towards restarting their economies, cities across Europe are embarking on their own unique journeys, tailored to their own specific needs, that will address their economic woes.
In the Latvian city of Liepaja, for example, the local government has turned its yearly small and medium-sized businesses competition into something that is meant to support specifically those sectors that were hit the hardest by the shutdown and the pandemic. Traditionally the conditions for applying for a grant at the municipality have been lenient, allowing everyone to participate. This year, however, change was sorely needed.
Through the competition, a total of 100,000 euros will be granted to small and medium-sized businesses across the city – mainly to representatives of industries that were forced to shut down entirely, like hotels, restaurants and other tourism and culture-related industries.
Support might also be provided to companies that pitch projects that will aid these struggling sectors in some way. The only other condition, according to the municipality, is that all activities must be carried out within the city. Support provided by the local government will come in the form of co-financing of up to 75%, in the amounts between 2500 and 15,000 euros. This is a significant change from previously established practices that demanded a project to be operational for two years before becoming eligible for co-financing.
With Liepaja basing a significant part of its economy on tourism, the local government is eager to prop up its struggling hospitality industry. By doing its best to help it survive the first few months, Liepaja’s authorities believe that they will be able to attract a large number of tourists from across the country, thus allowing the city’s tourist sector to survive and thrive in the long-term.
The city was concerned about street noise and disturbances to residents
This, however, is likely to change soon
Crucial aspects of resilience, sustainable development and recovery will be under the thematic spotlight
This is city twinning for the 21st century
You can find it in the capital Sofia, where it was installed upon the initiative of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
People in both cities got to sit together both in person and virtually
The city was concerned about street noise and disturbances to residents
And the current administration plans to make Jardin del Turia Europe’s largest city green space by extending it to the sea
The aim is to have the public be able to admire the architectural design without distractions
The installation has been thought out with the concept of letting people “talk” to their dearly departed
It’s an urban space that has undergone several large-scale transformations throughout its existence
A US geologist claims to have solved the centuries-old mystery
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team