Mayors of URBACT iPlace network had an online “breakfast” to discuss project expectations
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The online meeting, that took place on the 7th of September, offered an executive report on the status of the iPlace project and presented next steps of the project.
Mayors were given space to share their current expectations and their main learnings, whilst working with their local group and trying to discover and set their niche.
In the meeting were present: Deputy Mayor of Kočevje (Slovenia)– Gregor Kôsir; Deputy Mayor of Saldus (Latvia) – Inta Vanaga; Mayor of Amarante (Portugal) José Luís Gaspar and Alderman of Economic Affairs André Magalhães; Deputy Mayor of Balbriggan (Ireland) – Cllr Daniel Whooley; Mayor of Gabrovo (Bulgaria) – Tanja Hristova; Deputy Mayor of Pärnu (Estonia) – Silver Smeljanski; Councillor for Europe, Economic Development and Commerce of Grosseto (Italy)– Riccardo Ginanneschi; Councillor Nadia Gonzalez – Medina del Campo (Spain); Director of Economic Development Department of city of Pori (Finland) - Jouko Hautamäki.
With this meeting, the project managers aim to inform the mayors of the work that has been done under the iPlace network and reinforce their commitment in further actions.
Therefore, Mayors reaffirmed their commitment to the project and voiced their expectations for the project and the future.
Mayors expressed a high level of satisfaction and willingness to make the most of the project. Some of them voiced some actions they have already put into place thanks to the project.
The coordination city reinforced the importance of economic investment and strategic alignment with the project, for the project to achieve its maximum potential, stating how important political support is.
Mayors were left aspiring and dreaming more for their cities and for the project. The iPlace project, an URBACT network, is now mid-way, having despite Covid-19 being on track with all activities planned and with all 10 cities – Amarante, Balbriggan, Gabrovo, Grosseto, Heerlen, Kočevje, Medina del Campo, Pärnu, Pori, Saldus - still united to reach a new, sustainable niche for their small cities.