RE-Block kick-off meeting - we're getting started!

Representatives of the ten RE-Block partner cities met in Budapest for the 1st Transnational Event (containing 1st Steering Group meeting and Launching Transnational Urban Hub), which took place from 10-12 April, 2013. „It is a great pleasure for me to welcome the representatives of nine European countries in Hungary. The Local Government of Budapest XVIII District is honoured and proud to be the Lead Partner of the RE-Block project, and please allow me to express my sincere joy that we can work together as partners in the near future.” started his speech Mr. Attila Ughy, the Mayor of the District, the Representative of the Lead Partner.

This Kick-Off Event aimed to officially launch the second phase of our network and to create a common understanding of project’s objectives and intended outputs, as well as a common spirit for the project work. Also, partners agreed on the methodology and guidelines of operating the forums of transnational exchange and learning, and committed themselves to actively participate in them. In his welcome speech Mr. Ughy emphasized: “All partner inputs, experiences, good practices, as well as methodologies – whether they are well-functioning or under development – are needed for the RE-Block partnership in order to be able to reorganize the living environment of our unfairly neglected housing estates.” It means that the RE-Block partnership faces a very demanding year, so that what was decided together could be achieved by the next transnational event in April 2014.

Once partners established the ULSGs and its work plan set, the planning process of Local Action Plan will start. 10 Peer Review Sessions will be integrated into the process of action planning between May 2013 and January 2014. The main focuses of the Launching Transnational Urban Hub (TUH) Event were to specify the content and method of these Peer Review Sessions and the TUH Platform.

During the Sessions a group of qualified experts of the relevant field (Knowledge Ambassadors/KAs) delegated by partners will visit the Peer Review city and will assist the host partner’s ULSG to develop solutions for the urban rehabilitation of the target area in the first draft of a Local Action Plan.

The good cooperation between project and ULSG coordinators, Knowledge Ambassadors and the Lead Expert is crucial for the success of the RE-Block project. In this challenging process, ideas, experiences, lessons and knowledge have to be shared and utilised for the benefit of the partner cities!