Join the Bespoke Learning Programme for Cities from Western Balkans

The Pioneers Accelerator programme serves as an excellent entry point for cities with little or no previous experience in EU-funded projects, offering a structured and supportive environment to develop impactful initiatives. After the completion of the learning journey, the cities and public agents working in municipal public administrations shall gain practical knowledge and develop capacity to design and implement urban development projects in line with Global and EU sustainable urban development standards and policy frameworks.

URBACT aims to create an environment of mutual learning between the open-minded andambitious public service agents from the Western Balkans and inspiring EU cities.

The Pioneers Accelerator learning programme desires to create a generation of urban professionals’ leaders, who will be shaping the future of their cities in a new way, and be recognized as pioneers and trailblazers for their peers in the region. Around 20 cities from Western Balkans – IPA beneficiary countries will be selected to join this unique opportunity.

Themes and Transversal Topics

• As part of the URBACT Pioneers Accelerator, cities will focus on addressing urban challenges by selecting from 6 themes:
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Waste Management
  • Urban Nature
  • Jobs and SME Support
  • Sustainable Tourism Development
  • Culture
• Each theme represents a crucial area of sustainable urban development challenges Western Balkan countries, and the programme is designed to help cities improve their strategies and actions within these fields.
• in line with URBACT IV Programme cross-cutting priorities, some transversal topics will be integrated into the learning of each topic. In particular:
  • Environmental Sustainability (e.g. air quality, energy efficiency. green spaces etc.)
  • Social Inclusion (e.g. gender, disabilities, migration, age etc.)
  • Digitalisation (e.g. smart cities, citizen participation, digital services etc.)
• These transversal topics are applied across all themes, ensuring that cities adopt a holistic approach to urban development that is sustainable, inclusive, and future-oriented.

Benefits

• The URBACT Pioneers Accelerator programme is dedicated to municipal teams working in specific municipal departments/ agencies tackling different urban challenges. It offers:
  • Enhanced Capacity and Skills: Developing practical skills in urban planning, stakeholder engagement, data analysis, and strategic communication, equipping cities to tackle complex urban challenges.
  • A Roadmap for Future Projects: Elaboration of plans and strategies that guide future initiatives, ensuring alignment with European regional development framework and global sustainability goals.
  • Peer Learning and Networking Opportunities: Strong connections with other cities and a support network for continued learning and collaboration beyond the programme.
  • Documented Success Stories and increased City Visibility: Implementation of visible on-the-ground pilot actions (sustainable solutions) that showcase the city’s achievements and inspire replication in other regions, helping to attract future funding and partnerships.
  • Integration into the URBACT Community: Increased access to resources, expertise, and opportunities for future collaborations within the broader URBACT and EU network.

Funding Information

• The budget available for each selected city is 35000 EUR. It shall ensure proper implementation of all expected Pioneers Accelerator learning activities.

Eligibility Criteria

• The call is open to all ‘cities beneficiaries from IPA countries. ‘Cities’ are defined in the LIRBACT IV Programme Manual as follows:
  • Cities, municipalities, towns;
  • Infra-municipal tiers of government such as city districts and boroughs in cases where they are represented by a politico-administrative institution having competences for policy-making and implementation;
  •  Local agencies defined as public or semi-public organisations set up by a city, partially or fully owned by the city authority, responsible for the design and implementation of specific policies (economic development, energy supply, health services, transport, etc.).
  • Metropolitan authorities and organised agglomerations in cases where they are represented by a politico-administrative institution having delegated competences for policy-making and implementation.
• ‘Cities’ can submit more than one application in case a different municipal department (Local Team) tackling a different urban challenge (thematic policy area) is participating in the programme.
• Cities already involved in ongoing URBACT networks can apply as well but only in cases where another department (Local team) would be involved.

For more information, visit URBACT.