ICLEI Europe

ICLEI Europe welcomes the European Commission's proposal for an #AffordableHousing Act, presented on 9 September. 🤝 It's an important step forward, strengthening Europe's response and giving Member States, cities and regions more support to deliver affordable, sustainable housing. But here's the thing: we won't build our way out of this crisis by building faster alone. Affordability and #sustainability need to work together, not against each other. That means implementing the Act coherently with the wider EU policy framework: the Nature Restoration Regulation, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, State aid rules, and EU funding instruments. As we outline in our policy brief, Sustainable and Affordable Homes for All ( 👉 https://lnkd.in/dcVmC2AV), this means putting real weight behind: ✅Making better use of existing and vacant buildings ✅Adaptive reuse and renovation ✅ Tenant protection and long-term affordability Local and regional governments are the ones actually delivering on this, in cities and rural areas alike. To turn EU ambition into local reality, they need the right tools, resources, skills and flexibility.

Vitoria-Gasteiz is ICLEI Europe's current Member in the Spotlight! With #EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK taking place this month, we're spotlighting the city due to its excellent work on sustainable mobility. Guided by its Sustainable Mobility and Public Spaces Plan (PMSEP), Vitoria-Gasteiz reclaimed space from motorised traffic to prioritise pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. And to better remind to its population how valuable these spaces are, the city temporarily reopened a pedestrianised street to cars during EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK 2018. The reactions were significant, and the event made the front pages of two local newspapers. As #ICLEIMember, Vitoria-Gasteiz shows how bold, people-first mobility choices can transform urban life. Discover more about the city's work in our latest Member in the Spotlight ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eKDZe2wM EUROPEAN MOBILITY WEEK

🏛️ Public procurement rules are getting a major overhaul and #quality needs to stay at the centre. Yesterday, the European Commission presented its proposal for a new EU Public #Procurement Regulation, consolidating three directives into one framework. With public procurement worth roughly 15% of EU GDP, how these rules are written matters, for #cities, for suppliers, and for the #green and social ambitions Europe is counting on public spending to deliver. ICLEI Europe welcomes the Commission's move to make Best Price-Quality Ratio the standard award method, with quality criteria weighted at least 30% (50% for labour-intensive contracts). But there's more to get right as negotiations begin. We're calling on the European Parliament and Council to: 🟢 Set clear minimum green and #circular requirements, with a delivery timeline 🟢 Strengthen protections for social and labour rights 🟢 Simplify and align #innovation procurement 🟢 Invest in the people who run procurement on the ground 🟢 Make it easier for small, local and regional suppliers to compete "For thirty years we have watched cities try to buy well under rules that rewarded buying cheaply. Requiring quality to count for at least 30% of the award decision is an important step for local and regional governments. We are asking Parliament and Council to hold the line, " said Matthew Bach, Regional Director Europe, ICLEI Europe 📄 Read our full statement: https://lnkd.in/g_hvyMck

Attending events at the 2026 European Week of Regions and Cities this October? Join us on Tuesday 13th October for Local Sustainability in Action for panel discussion, live music, the 2026 #LocalSustainabilityAward winner announcement, networking drinks and more. Meet the finalists: 🥕 Turin, Italy – RePoPP A shining example of attitudinal and behavioural change, RePoPP transforms surplus food from urban markets into social, environmental and economic value. By bringing together markets, social services, community organisations and volunteers, the project is changing how cities think about food waste, inclusion and the circular economy. 🏠 Cascais, Portugal – Just Energy Transition Ecosystem Demonstrating successful financial mechanisms, Cascais has developed an innovative financing model that helps vulnerable households access energy-efficiency improvements. By removing financial barriers, the municipality is ensuring the energy transition is fair, inclusive and measurable. 🏗️ Muğla, Türkiye – Circular Construction and Demolition Waste Management and Recovery Model Modelling effective governance innovation, Muğla is transforming construction waste into a valuable resource through digital monitoring, cross-sector collaboration and circular economy principles embedded in municipal operations. 🔗 Agenda and registration 👉 https://lnkd.in/eRBC3SRC #LocalSustainabilityAward #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #JustEnergy #ZeroFoodWaste #LocalGovernment Comune di Torino Câmara Municipal de Cascais Muğla Municipality Aalborg Kommune European Committee of the Regions

Städte gestalten die nachhaltige Transformation – aber sie können sie nicht allein umsetzen. Damit Kommunen die Klimaneutralität bis 2045 erreichen können, benötigen sie die richtigen politischen Rahmenbedingungen und starke Partnerschaften mit Wirtschaft, Industrie und Forschung. Wie Shtilyana Koppe betont: „Die wettbewerbsfähige Stadt entsteht durch zielorientierte Zusammenarbeit auf Augenhöhe – zwischen Politik, Wirtschaft und Forschung.“ Genau diesen Dialog wird mit der Reihe „Starke Städte. Gesunde Wirtschaft“ gestärkt. Den Auftakt macht am 30. September der erste Stadt-Industrie-Dialog. Gemeinsam diskutieren Vertreter und Vertreterinnen der Kommunen, des Bundes, der Wirtschaft, der Industrie sowie weiterer relevanter Organisationen die Frage: „Wie kann die strategische öffentliche Beschaffung in Städten zentral verankert werden, um durch gezielte Investitionen in nachhaltige, innovative Produkte die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und Resilienz zu stärken?“ 30. September 2026 | 10:00–12:00 Uhr | Online Weitere Informationen und Anmeldung: https://lnkd.in/enG4yg_c #StadtIndustrieDialog #Klimaneutralität #ZirkuläresBauen #StrategischeBeschaffung #Kommunen #Innovation #ICLEIEurope Deutsche Unternehmensinitiative Energieeffizienz e. V. (DENEFF) Circular Economy Initiative Deutscher Städtetag Deutscher Städte- und Gemeindebund Frankfurt School of Finance & Management VKU - German Association of Local Public Utilities Stiftung KlimaWirtschaft econsense - Forum for Sustainable Development of German Business e.V. German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE) Wirtschaftsvereinigung der Grünen Nadja Nickel Laura Broo Valeria Eirin 

🔥 This summer, #wildfires and #heatwaves swept across Europe. And once again, local and regional governments stepped up. Coordinating evacuations, sheltering vulnerable residents, keeping essential services running, and helping communities recover and adapt. On 16 September, President von der Leyen will deliver her State of the European Union address, setting the Commission's priorities for the year ahead, right as decisions on the next EU budget ( #MFF) and the restructuring of Commission services are taking shape. ICLEI Europe has joined forces with the #LocalAlliance, an informal coalition of Europe’s leading local and regional government networks. Our message to President von der Leyen: reaffirm local and regional governments as trusted, indispensable partners, and make sure the next Multiannual Financial Framework gives them the investment and capacity to deliver for people in every #community, not sideline their role. A #competitive, resilient, cohesive, climate-neutral Europe won't be built in Brussels alone. It will be built street by street, city by city. Europe's cities and regions are ready to deliver their share. ✍Read the joint letter: https://lnkd.in/eFZH3F_c

WEBINAR ALERT Join us on 30 September 2026 at 12:00 CEST for the third NBRACER x UrbanByNature programme webinar! This interactive session will centre on lessons and insights harvested from the implementation of Nature-based Solutions across different cities and regions. Register now to: 💡Learn first hand how engaging the local communication can help with the roll-out of nature-based solutions 💚Access practical lessons and takeaways from European regions Sign up by 25th September, 2026 https://lnkd.in/efpdfgHR

Two months to go until Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona! SCEWC brings together cities, governments, businesses, researchers and urban innovators from around the world to exchange ideas, explore solutions and build new connections. For ICLEI, the event is a great opportunity to bring the community together and connect with ICLEI Members, partners and like-minded peers working towards more sustainable, resilient and inclusive cities and regions. With the programme taking shape, we’re excited to share a first look at some of our planned activities: 🎤 The AI City 2030 - Green, Smart and Safe: From Vision to Reality 📅 3 November, 15:05-15:50 The session explores how cities can use AI sustainably, responsibly and equitably by addressing topics such as governance, partnerships, business models, data, carbon footprint, and accountability, and identifying the enabling conditions needed to build resilient, carbon-neutral and inclusive cities by 2030. 🤝 ICLEI's networking event 📅 3 November, from 16:30 onwards Join us at the ICLEI stand for an informal networking event bringing together ICLEI Members, cities and regions, project partners, private sector representatives, and others interested in connecting and exchanging ideas. 🎤 From Crisis to Action: Smart Cities Tackling the Triple Planetary Challenge 📅 5 November, 12:20-13:05 This session showcases how cities are deploying smart, data-driven and integrated solutions to turn interconnected crises into opportunities for transformation, resilience, and better urban living. As we’re continuing to build our programme, we are updating our event website with the latest details: https://lnkd.in/eeYrnKcy 🎟️ Planning to join SCEWC? Get in touch with 📧 lara.koppelmann@iclei.org for more information on free passes for ICLEI Members (subject to availability) and discounts on passes for interested partners. See you in Barcelona! #SCEWC26 #TomorrowCity #SmartCities #SmartRegions #UrbanInnovation #DigitalTransformation

Attending events at the 2026 European Week of Regions and Cities this October? Join us on Tuesday 13th October for Local Sustainability in Action for: 💡Panel discussion: From Local Innovation to European Impact 🎻Live music 🏆Announcement of the winner of the 2026 #LocalSustainabilityAward 🥂Networking drinks The three finalists of the Local Sustainability Award are: 🥕 RePoPP project, Turin, Italy 🏠 Just Energy Transition Ecosystem project, Cascais, Portugal 🏗️ Circular Construction and Demolition Waste Management and Recovery Model project, Muğla, Türkiye 🔗 Agenda and registration 👉 https://lnkd.in/eRBC3SRC #LocalSustainabilityAward #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #JustEnergy #ZeroFoodWaste #LocalGovernment Comune di Torino Câmara Municipal de Cascais Muğla Municipality Aalborg Kommune European Committee of the Regions

Planungssicherheit ist eine Voraussetzung für Investitionen. Damit Städte den Gebäudebestand klimaneutral modernisieren können, brauchen sie verlässliche Rahmenbedingungen. Gleichzeitig benötigt die Wirtschaft Planungssicherheit, um Innovationen zu entwickeln und zu skalieren. Beim ersten Stadt-Industrie-Dialog diskutieren Vertreter und Vertreterinnen aus Kommunen, Bund, Wirtschaft und Industrie, wie strategische öffentliche Beschaffung diesen Wandel unterstützen kann. 📅 30. September | Online 👉 Mehr Informationen: https://lnkd.in/e5BFSAsQ =search&uid=yGUv4q11 #StadtIndustrieDialog #Klimaneutralität #ZirkuläresBauen #StrategischeBeschaffung #Kommunen #Innovation #ICLEIEurope Deutsche Unternehmensinitiative Energieeffizienz e. V. (DENEFF) Circular Economy Initiative Deutscher Städte- und Gemeindebund Deutscher Städtetag Frankfurt School of Finance & Management VKU - German Association of Local Public Utilities Stiftung KlimaWirtschaft econsense - Forum for Sustainable Development of German Business e.V. German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE) Wirtschaftsvereinigung der Grünen Nadja Nickel Laura Broo Valeria Eirin