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Streetscape in a small town close to the sea (Copyright: Almada City Council)

CITIZENS

Discover how interregional cooperation is helping to make a Europe closer to citizens.

Creating a Europe closer to citizens means fostering the sustainable and integrated territorial development of urban, rural and coastal areas through local initiatives.

Our programme helps local, regional and national governments across Europe to develop and deliver better regional development policies in this field.

We create opportunities for sharing solutions to regional development issues, for exchanging good practices and for policy learning via our two pillars: our interregional cooperation projects and our Policy Learning Platform.

Scroll below to capitalise on the knowledge they've gained, take part in upcoming capacity building opportunities or apply for your own project proposal.

CITIZENS sub-topics

Discover the CITIZENS sub-topics we address and click on the link to find all related resources on our website.

Icon of the topic Citizens with no name below
Integrated urban development

To foster the integrated and inclusive social, economic and environmental development, cultural, natural heritage sustainable tourism and security in urban areas.
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Integrated non-urban developments

To foster the integrated and inclusive social, economic and environmental local development, culture, natural heritage, sustainable tourism and security in areas other than urban areas.

Projects and project ideas

Get inspired by our approved projects or explore one of these CITIZENS project ideas. Then, discover how you can get involved in interregional cooperation by preparing your own project proposal.

CITIZENS projects

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CITIZENS project ideas

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Policy solutions

Explore all the policy solutions our projects and policy experts have identified on the topic of CITIZENS. Read through our policy briefs and good practices. Watch our webinar recordings. Download the conclusions for past workshops and peer reviews.

Good practices

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Good practice - Citizens
2014 - 2020

De Nieuwe Mark

Reinstatement of former river and harbour to reach a wide range of different objectives concerning economy, climate change, quality of life, water/heritage.
19 Oct 2020 | By project WaVE
Approved content by an expert Expert approved
2014 - 2020

Provincial Water Board

Provincial Water Board is a panel of water experts and civil society representatives that designs consensual strategies to manage water, and its heritage.
12 May 2020 | By project WaVE
Approved content by an expert Expert approved
2014 - 2020

Reconnecting Aarhus to the Sea: Urban Mediaspace

Creating Urban Mediaspace. Reconnecting the city of Aarhus to the waterfront and sea by transforming industrial harbor areas into a contemporary urban locality.
23 Apr 2020 | By project WaVE
Approved content by an expert Expert approved
2014 - 2020

The Uncovering of The River Aarhus (1992-2015)

The uncovering of The River Aarhus. The river was covered between 1933-57. It was uncovered from 1992-2015 to create recreational areas along an open canal.
21 Apr 2020 | By project WaVE
Approved content by an expert Expert approved
Good practice - Citizens
2014 - 2020

Development in dialogue

Development in dialogue is the integral approach of heritage in a way that stakeholders learn about each other’s motives and incentives.
15 Apr 2020 | By project WaVE
Approved content by an expert Expert approved
2014 - 2020

Redoutes

Making cultural heritage more perceptible while solving water management issues during the realisation of new nature.
15 Apr 2020 | By project WaVE
Approved content by an expert Expert approved
2014 - 2020

LIFE - PLETERA

Restoration of a coastal wetland in a partially urbanized land due to a change in land classification, from developable to protected.
21 Jun 2019 | By project Land-Sea
Approved content by an expert Expert approved
2014 - 2020

EBRO - ADMICLIM

Mechanisms to guarantee the maintenance of a fragile ecosystem: how to avoid the disappearance of a delta system.
20 Jun 2019 | By project Land-Sea
Approved content by an expert Expert approved

CITIZENS policy solutions

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Peer review
Peer review - Valenciennes
Citizens

Promoting gender inclusive urban planning policies in Valenciennes Métropole

The Policy Learning Platform conducted a peer review for Valenciennes Métropole, France, held on 17-18 April 2024. Valenciennes Métropole sought inspiration to promote gender inclusive urban policies, namely regarding the process to involve stakeholders in a gender mainstreaming approach.
| By Platform
Webinar
People listening to presentation
Smart
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Connected
Social
Citizens
Governance

Replay available: Next generation policymakers

More than 150 participants, 10 talented speakers around an important subject: why continuous learning and cooperation helps policymakers to face today and tomorrow's challenges. Watch the recording.
| By Platform
Webinar
Image of webinar taking place
Smart
Citizens

Key learnings of the webinar on Smart Villages

On 28 June 2022, the Policy Learning Platform organised a webinar on the topic of Smart Villages. Learn about the key insights and good practice to turn your village smart!
| By Platform
Policy brief
Brown wooden arrow sign
Green
Citizens

Cultural routes in Europe

Discover the transnational routes that help tourists discover how Europeans have lived since ancient times. This policy brief presents the Council of Europe’s Cultural Routes Programme, the EU’s policies on Cultural Routes, and good practices.
| By Platform
Policy brief
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Green
Citizens

Cultural heritage in mountain regions

Read this policy brief and get an overview of EU initiatives that local and regional authorities should refer to for boosting sustainable development in mountain areas through the valorisation of the cultural heritage.
| By Platform

Get policy advice

Are you looking for help on a regional policy-making challenge or simply have a question? Make use of our Platform services. 

Policy helpdesk icon
Policy helpdesk

Get relevant resources and contacts through a written exchange with our experts.
Matchmaking icon
Matchmaking

Get ideas on how to resolve your policy challenge during a two-hour discussion with peers.
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Peer review

Get in-depth analysis and peer recommendations on your regional policy challenge in two days.

News and events

Explore the latest news and upcoming events on CITIZENS topics.

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News
Group photo of PROXIMITIES partners standing holding EU flag with PROXIMITIES logo in corner
Citizens

Kick off of PROXIMITIES!

The PROXIMITIES project kicks off in Reggio Emilia, aiming to enhance livability and sustainability in Europe's peripheral urban areas.
| By Project PROXIMITIES
News
Women working around a table during a communication workshop
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Governance

Last tips before submitting your project application

The end of the third call is coming fast. Have a look at our final tips for preparing your project application and take advantage of our support tools and events. What are you waiting for? Get started.
| By Joint secretariat
News
Partners of the IMPETUS Project in Lille
Citizens

IMPETUS Newsletter #1

Our first newsletter has been sent out, containing the first Handbook and updates on the project. If you haven't already, you can read it here.
| By Project IMPETUS
News
Partners at the second interregional thematic seminar in Las Palmas
Citizens

Las Palmas hosted the 2nd thematic seminar of Impetus

The partners met for the first meeting of the new semester of work, during which the partners presented their selected good practices focusing on the theme 'Contractual Models and Utilisation Contracts for Public Spaces and Buildings'.
| By Project IMPETUS
Event
Event
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Governance
24 Jun 2024
Online

Meet up with the Policy Learning Platform

We're brining together our Platform team and our projects for an online meet-up. Discover what it is all about, how project partners can benefit, and how to engage by contributing to its activities. 
By Joint secretariat
News
group photo
Citizens

Nouvelle-Aquitaine: A Model of Solidarity

From April 9-11, 2024, CASPER project partners visited Nouvelle-Aquitaine, exploring innovative social economy models like third places and cooperatives, leaving inspired by community-driven solutions.
| By Project CASPER
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