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Development

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Ireland / Development / Digital transformation

Get up to 84,000 euros to move to an Irish island

The government’s new Living Islands Policy wants to reinvigorate offshore communities

Jun 8, 2023 10:54
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Netherlands / Amsterdam / Development / Green City

Floating nature islands in Amsterdam connect fragmented wildlife

The five islands have a combined area of more than 700 square metres

Jun 6, 2023 12:51

Economy and Finance

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Luxembourg / Economy and Finance / Innovation and Research

Luxembourg’s property prices are finally going down

Researchers say that, in turn, rents are going up

Jun 2, 2023 16:05
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Spain / Culture and Tourism / Economy and Finance

Spanish domestic flights tickets can be paid in up to 12 installments

Iberia will be the first company to introduce this option in the country

May 31, 2023 16:09

Politics and Reforms

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France / Culture and Tourism / Politics and Reforms

French influencers can end up in jail if they do this

The new advertising legislation is the first in Europe to define the role of these online celebrities

Jun 2, 2023 17:49
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Belgium / Brussels / Politics and Reforms / Public Spaces

Brussels has a 14-point action plan to decolonise public spaces

As Brussels is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, this is seen as a matter of ‘quality of life’

Jun 1, 2023 17:17

Innovation and Research

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Lithuania / Digital transformation / Innovation and Research

Lithuania to have a drone traffic management system next year

The Baltic country prepares to respond to rising air traffic and to futureproof the sector

Jun 6, 2023 15:50
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Bulgaria / Education and Sport / Innovation and Research

400 kids will get free IT training in Burgas this summer

The city hopes to help turn a new generation from tech consumers into tech producers

Jun 5, 2023 14:33

Digital transformation

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Ireland / Development / Digital transformation

Get up to 84,000 euros to move to an Irish island

The government’s new Living Islands Policy wants to reinvigorate offshore communities

Jun 8, 2023 10:54
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Austria / Salzburg / Digital transformation / Education and Sport

Salzburg’s new sports app makes it easy to go for a run

It will show all open-air sports facilities in the city, plus 12 running routes

Jun 7, 2023 13:09

Energy efficiency

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Croatia / Zagreb / Development / Energy efficiency

Zagreb will greenify 50 public buildings in one fell swoop

A new project calls for photovoltaics, charging stations and energy-efficiency renovations

Jun 6, 2023 10:48
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Luxembourg / Portugal / Energy efficiency / Politics and Reforms

Luxembourg and Portugal to develop a hydrogen corridor

Portugal is growing its renewable energy sector and will soon have a large hydrogen electrolyser in the port of Sines

May 31, 2023 11:00

Mobility

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Spain / Madrid / Mobility

Meet Horizonte - Madrid's bus of the future

Locally designed, a prototype will be created next year so that the residents of the city can have their say as well

Jun 8, 2023 18:04
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Spain / Mobility / Social City

European youth residing in Spain can ride national trains at half price

The special offer popularizing railway journeys among the 18-30 age group will be available until 15 September

Jun 8, 2023 16:16

Public Spaces

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Austria / Public Spaces / Welfare and Health

Therapy sessions in the park – a new summer offer in Graz

Psychoanalysis in the Park is aimed primarily at people who have never tried therapy before

Jun 5, 2023 16:33
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Estonia / Tallinn / Development / Public Spaces

Tallinn publishes a manual for constructing bike sheds, to popularize mobility mode

If we have more bicycles, we’ll need more spaces to store them, too, so the city wants help

Jun 2, 2023 13:45

Culture and Tourism

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Italy / Florence / Culture and Tourism / Social City

Florence says no to new Airbnbs in its centre

In fact, in the UNESCO-protected old town priority will be given to long-term tenants

Jun 8, 2023 13:08
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France / Culture and Tourism / Politics and Reforms

French influencers can end up in jail if they do this

The new advertising legislation is the first in Europe to define the role of these online celebrities

Jun 2, 2023 17:49

Education and Sport

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Austria / Salzburg / Digital transformation / Education and Sport

Salzburg’s new sports app makes it easy to go for a run

It will show all open-air sports facilities in the city, plus 12 running routes

Jun 7, 2023 13:09
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Bulgaria / Education and Sport / Innovation and Research

400 kids will get free IT training in Burgas this summer

The city hopes to help turn a new generation from tech consumers into tech producers

Jun 5, 2023 14:33

Welfare and Health

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Belgium / Brussels / Mobility / Welfare and Health

AR ambulance in Brussels allows doctors to 'see' through the eyes of paramedics

The camera and goggles system helps patients to receive emergency specialised care, while they are still en route to the hospital

Jun 7, 2023 15:51
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Austria / Public Spaces / Welfare and Health

Therapy sessions in the park – a new summer offer in Graz

Psychoanalysis in the Park is aimed primarily at people who have never tried therapy before

Jun 5, 2023 16:33
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Interviews / Read Twice

Maja Sever: Journalism is a pillar of democracy

Apr 10, 2023 13:46
Magdalena Magdić
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Interviews

Kaisa Karjalainen: “It’s better to be an imperfect zero waster for the rest of our lives than a perfect one for two weeks”

Mar 14, 2023 12:56
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Romania / Cluj-Napoca / Digital transformation / Interviews / Politics and Reforms

Online public services as efficient as TikTok: Cluj-Napoca’s Digital Transformation

Feb 16, 2023 13:51
Denis Balgaranov
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Bulgaria / Interviews / Read Twice

Veni Markovski: It's about time the media stopped inviting “experts” who spread false info

Nov 28, 2022 11:30
Denis Balgaranov
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Netherlands / Utrecht / Green City / Interviews

Sharon Dijksma: Without cities, it will be impossible to tackle global warming

Nov 21, 2022 13:41
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Interviews / Politics and Reforms

Vasco Cordeiro: The European project is at stake when solidarity is at stake

Aug 1, 2022 11:34
Denis Balgaranov
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Interviews

Cities Mission has made citizen engagement and participatory processes an important part of its functioning

Jul 14, 2022 14:57
ICLEI Europe
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Portugal / Matosinhos / Interviews

Luisa Salgueiro: Climate resilience work is never completed, it’s a continuously upgraded project

Jun 23, 2022 12:41
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Interviews

EBRD's aim is to support increased climate ambition within cities

May 18, 2022 13:33
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Greece / Athens / Interviews / Welfare and Health

Melina Daskalaki: Our mission is to promote the social reintegration of homeless individuals

May 16, 2022 11:04
Svilena Iotkovska

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Lithuania image
Lithuania
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Vilnius

Vilnius
Valdas Benkunskas
Mayor

Valdas Benkunskas

Biography
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Archaeological findings show that in the area of ​​today's capital there were settlers as far back as the Middle Ages. In some important historical documents dating back to 1323, the city is referred to as Vilna, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In 1569, when the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was established, Vilnius began to flourish. The city university became one of the most prestigious research and development scientific centers. Culture also developed alongside politics and economy. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth underwent several divisions of its territory, and after the third, Vilnius became part of the Russian Empire. During the two World Wars, the city was largely destroyed. Lithuania regained its independence in 1990 with Vilnius as being chosen as the country's capital.

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Lithuania / Vilnius / Digital transformation / Green City

Smart system will detect how thirsty Vilnius trees are

Special sensors will measure the moisture content in the soil near the roots

May 26, 2023 17:25
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Politics and Reforms

“Mayor without circuses”: Vilnius’ new head steps into office

Valdas Benkunskas becomes mayor in what’s considered an iconic year for the Lithuanian capital

Apr 27, 2023 14:04
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Green City / Public Spaces

Vilnius puts up mini-fences to protect new plants from de-icing salt

A good example from the Lithuanian capital, and something to keep in mind for next winter

Mar 02, 2023 17:33
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Development / Social City

The people of Vilnius have spoken: We want a sunset viewing platform

This was one of the more creative and unusual ideas set to take shape as a result of the second participatory budget initiative in the city

Dec 05, 2022 14:05
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Culture and Tourism / Public Spaces

Vilnius unveiled its Christmas tree…and it’s a birthday cake

The Lithuanian capital is excited about its upcoming 700th anniversary

Nov 28, 2022 13:34
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Culture and Tourism / Digital transformation

Vilnius bought actual stars in the night sky to promote its restaurant scene

The new constellation will be known as “G’Astronomic Vilnius” and you can see it on the Night Sky app

Nov 09, 2022 14:30
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Culture and Tourism / Social City

Vilnius will create the first film made by all residents in the city

For this purpose, a special app has been released where residents can submit photos and videos

Oct 13, 2022 15:23
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Culture and Tourism / Social City

You can send Vilnius a belated birthday e-card

The Lithuanian capital’s tourism office has created a cheeky campaign to remind us that it’s good to send greetings, and even if late, there won’t be hard feelings

Oct 07, 2022 13:06
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Public Spaces / Welfare and Health

Vilnius organization wants to ban fireworks festival: Could be traumatic for Ukrainian refugees

The campaigners argue that the event will be scary and stressful to the city's animals as well

Sep 15, 2022 14:23
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Culture and Tourism / Politics and Reforms

7 Vilnius DJs give world's tyrants the finger with a special album

The album’s cover has an AI-generated portrait of the ‘Ultimate Dictator’

Sep 12, 2022 15:39
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Culture and Tourism / Public Spaces

There will be a Ukrainian Independence Day party...in Vilnius

Due to the precarious security situation in Kyiv, this year the celebration of freedom will be held abroad, in a supportive place

Aug 23, 2022 13:05
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Public Spaces

How Vilnius fills the void left from a removed Soviet monument

It can take time to reset the public’s mindset about the purpose of an urban space…or it can take a project

Aug 15, 2022 13:56
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Social City

Former Vilnius deputy mayor proposes municipalities to have the power to cap rents

Gintautas Paluckas is of the opinion that this will help the local authorities act as advocates for the residents

Aug 04, 2022 13:58
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Energy efficiency

Vilnius obliges public institutions to cover their roofs with solar panels

The road to energy independence - at least partially - goes through renewables

Jul 25, 2022 13:26
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Culture and Tourism / Digital transformation

If you’re itching to see Putin in jail, Vilnius delivers

Google Street View and the city’s tourism authorities have teamed up to create a digital rendition of justice served to the Russian president

Jul 11, 2022 13:08
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Green City

Klaipeda will provide free water to businesses serving customers from the tap

This is part of a national campaign to promote the high-quality water available in Lithuania and to ditch the packaged version

Jul 04, 2022 13:12
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Culture and Tourism / Public Spaces

Vilnius’ bus stops host the city’s largest art gallery

The splendid initiative that turns advertising spaces into art canvases is back for its third edition

Jun 24, 2022 17:56
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Economy and Finance

Vilnius honours local start-up unicorns with bus stop name

The symbolism belies the city’s vision to transform the Naujamiestis district into a globally-known tech industry centre

Jun 20, 2022 15:31
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Digital transformation / Welfare and Health

Vilnius gets more precise about air quality with online pollen map

The project is the first of its kind in Lithuania

May 13, 2022 16:49
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Culture and Tourism / Mobility

Vilnius app helps commuters to feel like tourists in their city

A historical journey on trolleybus line 2

May 11, 2022 17:33
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Politics and Reforms

Vilnius Historical Memory Commission cools residents’ impetus on street renaming

Not every street name linked to Russia and Belarus needs to be a subject of historical revision

Apr 28, 2022 17:46
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Politics and Reforms

21 mayors sign Declaration condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Mayor of Vilnius Remigijus Šimašius initiated the Declaration at the Second Forum of Mayors 2022 in Geneva after the speech of a Russian diplomat

Apr 08, 2022 16:01
Svilena Iotkovska
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Green City

Vilnius: municipal heating company pollutes less than households

Although residents believe that smog is caused by the large industrial chimneys, the reality is somewhat different

Mar 31, 2022 13:57
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Green City

Vilnius asks residents to respect local frog migration

This natural phenomenon only happens in very green cities

Mar 24, 2022 12:46
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Social City

Ukrainian refugees can use Vilnius public transport for free

They also get free access to the city’s museums

Mar 10, 2022 16:40
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Politics and Reforms / Social City

Vilnius starts campaign to call 40 million Russians to stave off propaganda

If you speak Russian, you, too, can pick up the phone and do your part to end this war

Mar 08, 2022 11:28
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Politics and Reforms

Vilnius gets creative in trolling Putin

The road leading to the Russian embassy in the city renamed to “Heroes of Ukraine”

Mar 04, 2022 10:53
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Cities in Pictures

Gallery: Women in Lithuanian cities protest the Russian invasion

Their hope is to inspire the same actions from women in Russia

Feb 28, 2022 11:14
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Culture and Tourism / Public Spaces

Vilnius rethinks ex-prison as a cultural space

This summer, it will also serve as the stage for a brand new music festival

Feb 10, 2022 17:39
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Lithuania / Vilnius / Culture and Tourism / Public Spaces

Ahead of turning 700, Vilnius starts off long celebrations

The countdown has already begun

Jan 26, 2022 15:17
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

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