Residents of the Future

09/04/2026

The Call is open. Can you hear it? 👂👂👂

Got questions about the new URBACT call for Action Networks? We’ve got answers 👀

Our latest article, by Nora Kebel, breaks down all the key questions you may have before applying!

Action Networks are designed for cities that already have a strategy, policy framework or action plan in place and are ready to turn it into concrete local action, together with partners across Europe.

In the article, you’ll find out more about:
✅ who can apply
✅ what kind of actions can be implemented
✅ the funding available
✅ the support cities receive throughout the journey

If your city is ready to move from strategy to implementation, now is the time to explore the opportunity!

Read the article: https://urbact.eu/whats-new/stories/urbact-answers-your-questions-about-call-action-networks

09/04/2026

🎧 PODCAST Trebinje (Bosnia & Herzegovina): "It's about building digital infrastructure for future generations"

In the new episode of URBACT Residents of the Future podcast, Tiago Ferreira talks to Slobodan Vulesevic and Tamara Dursun from .rs.ba about the main depopluation challenges:
– why young people leave
– what could make them stay
– how digitalisation can change daily life
From scholarships and housing support to gaming festivals and online services, Trebinje is trying different approaches.

The key?
👉 listening to the people who live there

In the latest episode of the Residents of the Future podcast, URBACT Lead Expert Tiago Ferreira speaks with Tamara Dursun from the city administration and Slobodan Vulešević, URBACT Local Group (ULG) coordinator. Their conversation reflects both the structural causes of shrinkage and the practical...

20/03/2026

PODCAST: (Finland): "It's about building your city's brand on its strengths."

What if the things people complain about in their city… are exactly what others are looking for?

In our new URBACTResidents of the Future episode, Tiago Ferreira speaks with Terho Savolainen and Mari Kuronen from Iisalmen kaupunki - City of Iisalmi (Finland), exploring how a small city is rethinking the way it presents itself to the world.

Peace, nature, safety and quality of life — often taken for granted by locals — are becoming key strengths in attracting new residents from abroad.

🎧 Read the article and listen to the podcast: [LINK]

In this episode of the URBACT podcast Residents of the Future, lead expert Tiago Ferreira speaks with Terho Savolainen, Economic Development Director, and Mari Kuronen, Marketing Assistant from the City of Iisalmi, Finland. Together, they explore how a small city in the north is rethinking how it pr...

13/03/2026

Are you involved in Cohesion Policy and looking to strengthen citizen participation in EU-funded programmes?

The European Commission and OECD’s project “With Citizens for Effective Cohesion Policy” is now open for applications.

Managing Authorities and cities across the EU can apply to receive support in developing and implementing meaningful citizen participation processes.

📅 Application deadline: 30 April 2026

Find out more and apply 👉 https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/whats-new/newsroom/25-02-2026-with-citizens-for-effective-cohesion-policy_en

13/03/2026

It's about investing in young people

In the latest episode of the Residents of the Future podcast, part of the URBACT Action Planning Network exploring urban shrinkage across Europe, host Tiago Ferreira speaks with Tudor Drămbărean from the municipality of Alba Iulia, Romania. Their conversation highlights how a city with deep histor...

24/02/2026

24/02/2026

It's about being close to each other. ❤️

In the latest episode of URBACT Residents of the Future, we explore Urbact Plasencia (Spain) with Juan Ramon Santos Delgado, Fernando Doncel and Francisco Manzano. How can a historic city respond to urban shrinkage with community driven innovation.
🔹 Strong local identity
🔹 Walkable “one-minute city” lifestyle
🔹 Immediate access to nature
🔹 Welcome initiatives for newcomers
🔹 Plans for affordable housing and coworking spaces
🔹 A housing innovation hackathon
The conversation highlights an important insight:
People may move for jobs, BUT THEY STAY FOR BELONGING.

Plasencia shows how quality of life, social networks and local pride can become real development strategies.
🎧 Listen to the episode and discover how small and medium-sized cities across Europe are building resilience for the future.

How can a historic city facing population decline reinvent itself for the future?In this episode of Residents of the Future, URBACT Lead Expert Tiago Ferreir...

05/02/2026

🎧 Listen to the full episode of URBACT Residents of the Future podcast with Tiago Ferreira

How can small cities respond to population decline — without losing their soul? In the latest episode, we visit Saldus, Latvia, where people, not infrastructure, are at the heart of local transformation.

🎙️ Together with Linda Medne, ULG Coordinator in Saldus, we talk about:

- what urban shrinkage looks like in everyday life
- why Saldus is a great place to raise children
- how an empty school became a hub for small entrepreneurs
and why empathy, trust, and “soft actions” matter just as much as investments
This episode is a reminder that even small towns can take bold, creative steps — when communities are involved and people feel they belong.

Residents of the Future – Saldus, Latvia: People First in the Face of Urban ShrinkageIn this episode of Residents of the Future, an URBACT podcast series exp...

16/01/2026

After a brief holiday break, we’re back on the road with URBACT, traveling across Europe to discover how small cities are responding to urban shrinkage.

🏛️ Mantova – live the full Italian experience 🇮🇹

In the latest episode of Residents of the Future, we travel to - small Italian city with a big cultural soul and a strong sense of community.

Together with Tiago Ferreira, Caterina Salvo from the Municipality of Mantova, and Puscasu from the URBACT Local Group, we explore how Mantova is facing one of the key challenges many European cities share today: depopulation and urban shrinkage.

✨ From attracting students and young professionals,
🌱 to investing in sustainability, culture, and local networks,
🤝 to building strong connections between people, institutions, and opportunities —

Mantova shows that even small cities can create a future that people want to be part of.

This URBACT journey reminds us that depopulation is not just about numbers, but about belonging, quality of life, and shared vision.

🎧 Listen to the episode and discover why Mantova might just be the perfect place to live the full Italian experience.

URBACT - National URBACT Point Italia

The podcast episode introduces the Residence of the Future network and explores Mantova's cultural identity, challenges of urban shrinkage, housing issues, c...

05/12/2025

Our 7th Quarterly Report is out! 📘

Cities across Europe have now finalised their Integrated Action Plans, moving from ideas to real implementation.
From digital innovation to housing solutions and youth engagement, discover how nine partner cities are shaping the “Residents of the Future.”
👉 Read the full summary on our website.

https://urbact.eu/residents-future-cities-enter-final-stage-shared-european-journey

26/11/2025

When small cities shine: the attractive power of the night-time economy.

(Read full article in the first comment)

Across Europe, the night-time economy is no longer a theme reserved for metropolitan hubs. More and more small and medium-sized cities are discovering how strategic planning between 6 PM and 6 AM can elevate quality of life, boost local business, attract new residents and strengthen tourism.

By extending cultural, social and mobility services into the evening hours, cities can create vibrant environments that retain young people, support entrepreneurs, encourage safe public spaces and offer visitors new experiences beyond daytime attractions.

From late-opening cafés, cinemas and co-working spaces to night markets, open-air events and decentralized cultural programmes in neighbourhoods outside the city centre, night-time initiatives help build stronger communities and diversify local economies.

These reflections, inspired by URBACT’s Cities After Dark network, are also shaping conversations within Residents of the Future, highlighting how smart night-time strategies can make smaller cities more liveable, inclusive and attractive — today and in the long term.