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
Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis at the reopening of the Friendship Clubs, Source: Kostas Bakoyannis on Facebook
People over the age of 60 will once again be able to meet up with friends, exercise, learn new skills, and participate in cultural events
Earlier this week, the City of Athens finally reopened its 25 Friendship Clubs after they were forced to cease their operations due to the outbreak of COVID. These clubs were first founded in 1985, taking into account geographical, economic and social criteria to ensure that as many people as possible can become members.
Now, they have evolved into “living cells”, where seniors over the age of 60 can come together to meet new people and participate in various activities. More specifically, they can take part in sports, psychological support groups, excursions, and cultural events. In addition to this, they can learn new skills, such as how to use digital devices.
Commenting on the Friendship Clubs, Mayor of Athens Kostas Bakoyannis explained that the municipality has worked to improve the services they offer and guarantee the wellbeing of the capital’s elderly citizens:
“We have upgraded all the activities in each Club and, at the same time, have strengthened the program "Help at Home". In the Municipality of Athens, we make every effort so that no one is left alone, proving with targeted interventions that we are next to every one of our fellow citizens, with love and respect.”
The 25 Friendship Clubs will be open every Monday to Friday from 8 am to 3 pm. Although their operations can resume, members will still have to follow strict health requirements; that is, they must wear face masks and present valid COVID certificates.
It is important to note that the premises have not remained vacant throughout the past two years. Instead, they have served as centres for conducting COVID tests and were recently transformed into collection points for humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
This, however, is likely to change soon
Crucial aspects of resilience, sustainable development and recovery will be under the thematic spotlight
The island is dead set on doing something about the problem of overtourism
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
It’s an urban space that has undergone several large-scale transformations throughout its existence
An illegal landfill will turn into a parking lot for cars confiscated by the police
It also features fast-charging stations for e-buses
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
This is the day when all madrileños take local pride in their city and culture
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