After meeting at the end of March 2025, the EUI Selection Committee approved 20 projects within the framework of its EUI-Innovative Actions Call 3.

In the past decades, European cities have been seeking for a balance between competition and collaboration. While global competition combined with public funding has accelerated innovation in science and technology, EU programmes such as the European Urban Initiative focus on supporting innovation with a collaborative logic, through sharing knowledge and experiences. City-to-City Exchange and Peer Review programmes are part of the EUI’s capacity building programmes; this article looks at how they can support cities in their digital transition path.

Europe is trying to propose an alternative way in how we use technology: both regulations and incentives seek to steer companies and users towards a more ethical, transparent and participatory use of digital tools. Innovative Action projects, funded by the Urban Innovative Actions (UIA), predecessor of the European Urban Initiative, are leading the way to a more just and inclusive digital transition in cities. What are the innovative aspects, tools and methods of these initiatives? This article explores a set of UIA projects that deploy new technologies for the greater public good in cities, under Cohesion policy.

The journey to a digital Europe is one every city must now take. But is your city on the right track, or is it at risk of being left behind? Without the right support, the journey can be slow and with many wrong turns and dead ends.
Digital technology for cities is developing at an unprecedented rate, reshaping how cities function and how citizens interact with their environments. But how do we keep up? Even more, how can we be the drivers of this change, rather than passengers on the journey?

The Cities Forum 2025, jointly organised by the European Commission (DG REGIO) and the European Urban Initiative (EUI), is now open for registration! Register for this flagship event, which will bring together city leaders, policy-makers and practitioners from across Europe to explore the most pressing challenges facing cities today.

Financing sustainable urban development projects is an increasing challenge for European cities. Growing populations, aging infrastructure, climate resilience needs, and rising demands for better public services are placing significant pressure on municipal budgets, often exceeding traditional funding capacities. As a result, local governments often navigate complex financial landscapes while balancing competing priorities to ensure sustainable and inclusive urban growth.

The Cities Forum 2025, co-organised by the European Commission (DG REGIO) and the European Urban Initiative (EUI), is set to bring together urban leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from across Europe on 17-19 June in Kraków.

Since 1 January 2025, Poland is holding the presidency of the EU, with urban development and the transition to more sustainable cities as one of its key thematic priorities. Poland aims to foster closer cooperation between European cities to develop innovative solutions for sustainable urban growth. In this context, EUI plays an active role by facilitating the exchange of good practices and supporting municipalities in their efforts to achieve a more sustainable and resilient urban environment.

Are you interested in applying for a City-to-City Exchange, but you don’t know where to start? You can request structured, intensive and personalised assistance from the EUI Permanent Secretariat.

In 2023 and 2024, EUI has organised 6 Peer Reviews in Greece, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Cyprus and Italy. A total of 19 cities under review benefitted from practical recommendations from more than 50 peer reviewers from all over Europe, as well as the EUI team of experts. And the adventure continues!