ConnACT EU – Networks of Towns

Berlin

Cerv

Europa

Networks of Towns is a project within the framework of the EU CERV program, which is dedicated to partnerships and networks between European cities and their citizens.

In times of crisis and conflict within Europe, a new narrative on the further development and unity of the
Union needs to be created. Especially taking the climate crisis and its impact on a wide range of other
topics (unity, justice and equality, accessibility, migration and flight, mobility and housing etc.) into
consideration, it is clear that new approaches to how we live but also to how we discuss, debate and
collaborate beyond borders in Europe are needed.

The programme promotes exchanges between people of different countries, reinforces mutual understanding and tolerance and gives them the opportunity to broaden their perspective and develop a sense of European belonging and identity through the town- twinning and networks of towns. While maintaining a bottom-up approach, the programme also provides, in particular to networks of towns, an opportunity to focus on EU priorities. This means, for example, improving local knowledge on the rights deriving from EU citizenship or building knowledge and sharing best practices on the benefits of diversity, including expertise on gender and intersectionality, as well as effective measures on how to tackle discrimination and racism at local level. The work programme will also enable towns to engage citizens and communities in discussions and actions on the climate and the environment, including energy-related issues, and on solidarity and migration.

The Goal is…

To promote exchange between citizens of different countries;

To give citizens the opportunity to discover the cultural diversity of the European Union and to make them aware that European values and cultural heritage constitute the foundation for a common future;
To guarantee peaceful relations between Europeans and to ensure their active participation at the local level;
To reinforce mutual understanding and friendship between European citizens;
To encourage cooperation between municipalities and the exchange of best practices;
To support good local governance and reinforce the role of local and regional authorities in the European integration process.

In order to achieve these goals, we will be organising the following events across Europe with our partners:

Conferences and festivals
Expert panels, talks and debates
Workshops and co-creation seminars
Excursions to innovative learning spaces and best practice examples

Project Activities

Berlin (Germany)

Kick-Off Event – Berlin City Link Conference
July 2025
Future Festival Berlin: Sustainable Spaces for All
April/May 2026
Future Debates Berlin – Sustainable Spaces and Social Justice
October 2026

Prague (Czech Republic)

Women in cities: “No city for old women”?
18 September 2025
An expert conference on “How to make our cities resilient and fair for everyone”
11 June 2026

Bergamo (Italy)

Workshop “Large-scale Energy communities potential for territories tackling climate change”
Workshop “Large-scale Energy communities potential for territories tackling climate change”
October 2025
ECO-FESTIVAL “Communities tackling climate change. Building sustainable, resilient and thriving territories”
May 2026
European Summit on Climate Resilience and Sustainability
November 2026