Transnational exchange

URBACT I and II brought together 500 cities, with 7,000 active participants in 29 countries, to cooperate with 61 thematic networks (52 action planning networks, 6 pilot transfer of good practice networks and 3 delivery networks).

URBACT III is built on URBACT II, whose Action Planning networks have been successful with their Local Action Plans. With URBACT III, two new typologies of networks will be introduced which where tested through pilots within URBACT II: Implementation and Transfer Networks.

The calls for the new period from 2015 will be for:

• Action Planning Networks, to support cities with the design of integrated sustainable urban strategies/action plans. The expected outcomes of these networks are integrated strategies for sustainable urban development, integrated action plans on one or several policy areas (rendering operational an existing strategy), learning and recommendations for EU cities;
   
• Implementation Networks, to support cities with the implementation of integrated sustainable urban strategies/action plan. The expected outcomes of these networks are enhanced implementation of integrated strategies/action plans for sustainable urban development (monitoring, timely delivery of actions, etc.), learning and recommendations for EU cities;
   
• Transfer Networks, to support cities with the transfer of good practice so as to improve the implementation of integrated sustainable urban strategies/action plan. The expected outcomes of these networks are transferred good practice in receiving cities, enhanced good practice, learning and recommendations for EU cities.

The main beneficiaries are cities from EU 28 Member States, Norway & Switzerland. While talking about cities, URBACT includes cities, municipalities, towns (without limit of size), infra-municipal tiers of government, metropolitan authorities and organised agglomerations. There are also other beneficiaries, such as local agencies; provincial, regional and national authorities; universities and research centres. But all beneficiaries shall be public or public equivalent bodies.