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The Next EU Agenda for Cities: Why City Diplomacy Matters
In April this year, the European Commission launched a public consultation to shape a new EU Agenda for Cities, a forward-looking framework to strengthen the EU’s role in supporting urban development. This initiative, announced in President von der Leyen’s mission letter to Executive Vice-President Fitto, aims to align EU policies with urban priorities across areas such as housing, climate action, mobility, digitalisation, inclusion, and economic competitiveness.
Recognising the key role of cities, which are home to 75% of the EU population, the agenda seeks to improve coordination, streamline existing tools, and provide more targeted support, particularly for smaller municipalities with limited capacity. It also promotes stronger multi-level governance, enabling cities to contribute more directly to EU policymaking.
The City Diplomacy Lab welcomes this timely process and has submitted the following contribution, highlighting the social, environmental, economic, and cultural need to make international engagement more accessible for all cities, not just the largest or wealthiest.
The City Diplomacy Lab strongly supports the proposed EU Agenda for Cities, considering it essential, timely, and politically significant. The rationale outlined in the Call for Evidence is robust and well-founded. However, we believe an additional dimension merits emphasis, one that concerns not only the future of European cities but also the broader political trajectory of their states and of the Union itself. Beyond demographic and functionalist arguments, such as the growing urban population and the critical role of cities in implementing EU policy, the initiative responds to a deeper identity-related need. It arrives at a moment when more and more cities are being compelled to define their internationalization paths. These decisions carry far-reaching implications.
Cities today stand at the intersection of global disruption. Environmental, socio-economic, and cultural pressures converge with particular force in urban areas. Cities absorb the direct impacts of climate change, with severe consequences for infrastructure and public health. They bear the burden of economic instability and migration, which deepen inequality and strain services. They also confront mounting threats to cohesion as diversity becomes the target of transnational disinformation campaigns that fuel radicalization and polarization. As outlined in the City Diplomacy Labs policy brief “Cities at the Crossroads: Understanding and Navigating City Diplomacy Risk“, municipalities face growing exposure to foreign interference and industrial espionage. The sense of being vulnerable to external shocks can fuel civic withdrawal and populist narratives that cast internationalization as a danger rather than a source of opportunity.
Nevertheless, municipalities engaged in city diplomacy show how global-local interconnection can be used to enhance ambitions of resilient, equitable, and sustainable urban development, with positive effects on international cooperation. Seizing those opportunities requires more than vision; it requires the ability to navigate international partnerships in order to attract scarce resources such as knowledge, talent, and investment. Unsurprisingly, cities that succeed in this regard tend to be large or mid-sized, economically strong, and capable of mobilizing external expertise and strategic support.
Although it is often said that the truth lies somewhere in the middle, such balance is not the norm when it comes to the relationship between cities and internationalization. In practice, the vast majority of cities experience it not as a path they shape, but as a force they must endure. They lack the human and financial resources to actively manage their position in the regional and global arena. The political consequences are visible: rising anti-European populism and the election of local administrations with little incentive or capacity to reverse the dynamics that propelled them into power. This deepens a territorial divide between a handful of “global cities” and a much larger number of urban areas struggling or ceasing to engage internationally. The pattern is visible in electoral maps and in the marginal space often given to international affairs within national associations of municipalities, with some notable exceptions.
Reversing this imbalance is a significant challenge and one that local governments cannot meet alone. This is where the initiatives real value lies. By focusing on both capacity-building and access to information, it makes international engagement a viable option for a broader spectrum of cities. A city’s identity and prospects depend on how it navigates cross-national opportunities, flows, and risks. Enhancing their ability to access capacities, leverage assets, and turn them into context-specific policies will allow more and more cities to channel and fuel the values at the basis of the European project itself. The EU Agenda for Cities is a vital and strategic step in that direction.
Access the public consultation here.
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City Diplomacy in Times of Multiple Crises – Trends, Frameworks, and Opportunities
Today, cities stand at the forefront of global challenges, such as climate change, migration, and increasing geopolitical tensions. How can city diplomats assist in addressing these issues?
To explore this question, the City Diplomacy Lab and Eurocities are co-hosting a webinar with experts and practitioners involved in cities’ international actions. The discussions will center on practical examples of how cities can proactively address emerging crises through international offices, cross-border alliances, and innovative diplomatic strategies.
📍 Webinar
🗓 Thursday, April 24, 10:00-11:30 CEST
Program
Welcoming Remarks
- Lorenzo Kihlgren Grandi, Director of the City Diplomacy Lab
- Pietro Reviglio, Policy and Research Advisor at Eurocities
Insights from New Reports
- City Diplomacy in Response to Multiple Crises: The 2024 Cities and International Engagement Survey, presented by co-authors Amelia Leavesley and Daniel Pejic, Research Fellows at the Melbourne Centre for Cities
- City Administrations and EU Affairs Report, presented by co-author Carlo Epifanio, University of Lausanne
Panel of City Representatives
- Mar Jiménez, Commissioner for European Affairs, Barcelona City Council
- Krista Kampus, Head of the EU and International Relations, City of Tallinn
- Benedek Jávor, Head of Representation, Representation of Budapest in Brussels
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Learning, Events, Research: Watch Our 2024 Recap Video
Social justice, climate action, resilience, security: in this busy 2024, more and more urban communities have engaged in city diplomacy to address their most pressing local challenges.
The City Diplomacy Lab thanks its partners and participants for a year of insightful explorations into how cities’ international relations are shaping our future.
City Diplomacy Lab | 2024 Recap by City Diplomacy LabOur Peer-Learning Webinar Series
Our Global Events
- World Urban Forum | Innovating Urban Resilience. Financing Strategies and Smart Solutions for Cities Worldwide
- UN Forum of Mayors | 3rd Urban Peace Dialogues. Cities of Memory
- International Biennial of Media Arts | Digital Creation at the Heart of Sustainable Urban Development
- Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games | Olympic Cities. Sustainable Visions and Legacies
Applied Research
- Policy Brief | Unveiling City Diplomacy Risk—and How to Navigate It
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Unveiling City Diplomacy Risk—and How to Navigate It
Foreign interference, intellectual property theft, reputational damage – neglecting the risks of city diplomacy will most likely undermine its potential for a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world.
In the latest City Diplomacy Lab Policy Brief, Lorenzo Kihlgren Grandi and Cecilia Emma Sottilotta unveil concrete tools to recognize, prevent, and navigate city diplomacy risk.
Today, cities worldwide face a critical choice: they can either refrain from city diplomacy to avoid its risks or equip themselves with the necessary tools to understand, anticipate, and manage them.
—Lorenzo Kihlgren Grandi and Cecilia Emma Sottilotta
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Urban Innovation to Achieve Just and Sustainable Cities
Did you know that by 2050, an additional two billion people are expected to live in informal settlements? Furthermore, two-thirds of the infrastructure needed in Africa by that year has yet to be constructed, while the buildings and construction sector currently contributes 37% of energy-related CO2 emissions. These pressing challenges require urgent action.
To tackle these issues, GIZ, on behalf of the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), hosted a peer-learning webinar series throughout 2024. This series focused on practical strategies for equitable and sustainable urban planning, construction, and financing. The five webinars aimed to engage subnational governments in implementing global development and climate agendas.
The series’ “community of practice” successfully engaged over 600 participants from various regions of the globe, reflecting a remarkable diversity of perspectives. Nearly 40% of participants hailed from African countries, while 14% were from Asia and 9% from Latin America. The attendees represented a wide array of stakeholders, including governmental organizations, non-profit entities, academic institutions, and the private sector. Each webinar served as a dynamic platform for cross-sectoral collaboration, fostering mutual learning and innovation.
The series was supported by Cities Alliance, ICLEI Africa, the ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Center, the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa (CAHF), and the City Diplomacy Lab.
Learn more about the series’ webinars:
- March: Sustainable Construction in Informal Urban Areas • Recording
- June: Inclusive Nature-Based Solutions • Recording
- August: Bottom-Up Action for Just Urban Development • Recording
- September: Gender and Sustainability in Urban Development • Recording
- November: Overcoming Barriers to Housing Finance • Recording
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Overcoming Barriers to Affordable Housing Finance
How can we enhance access to affordable housing and scale up housing finance?
Housing is recognized as a fundamental right under Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Despite this, around 2.8 billion people live in inadequate housing conditions, lacking basic services and struggling to afford costs. The situation is projected to worsen, with an estimated 2.5 billion more people expected in African and Asian cities by 2050. Improving access to adequate and affordable housing is crucial for sustainable development. However, formal housing systems often fail low-income communities, with limited policy success and scarce access to housing finance. As a result, many must rely on informal methods, using their own savings and labor for housing solutions.
In this fifth and final episode of the Urban Innovation to Achieve Just & Sustainable Cities peer-learning series, we will focus on effective mechanisms to improve access to finance for those who do not qualify for commercial loans. This discussion aims to highlight successful practices in providing adequate, safe, and affordable housing and accessing finance in the Global South. Additionally, it will examine barriers and opportunities related to housing-related finance for low-income households and explore potential interventions along the housing supply chain to enhance access to affordable housing on a larger scale.
This session is co-organized by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa, in partnership with Cities Alliance, UN-Habitat, ICLEI, Slum Dwellers International, the African Union for Housing Finance, and the City Diplomacy Lab.
Program
Keynote: Illana Melzer, Engagement Manager, 71point4
Moderation: Lorenzo Kihlgren Grandi, Founding Director, City Diplomacy Lab
Speakers:
- Kecia Rust, Executive Director, Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa (CAHF)
- Joy Wachira, Programme Lead Green Affordable Housing, REALL
- Girlie Lopez, Philippines Country Programme Manager, Build Change
Watch the recording
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Designing Inclusive Cities: Gender and Sustainability in Urban Development
How can urban communities achieve gender-inclusive sustainable development?
In their journey towards sustainability, many urban communities worldwide encounter significant challenges due to gender segregation in public spaces. With the latter generally designed around the specific needs of men, physical limitations hinder the unfolding of an accessible, safe, and active gender-inclusive public life.
In this fourth episode of the Urban Innovation to Achieve Just & Sustainable Cities peer-learning series, we will explore how to transform our cities through gender-inclusive urban planning and construction processes. The panelists will reflect on some of the most impactful regulatory instruments and participative approaches from city developments in the Global South.
This session is co-organized by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and Cities Alliance, in partnership with UN-Habitat, ICLEI, Slum Dwellers International, the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance, the African Union for Housing Finance, and the City Diplomacy Lab.
Program
Keynote: Aziza Chaouni, Architect, Associate Professor of Architecture, University of Toronto. Founder of Aziza Chaouni Projects (ACP)
Moderation: Lorenzo Kihlgren Grandi, Founding Director, City Diplomacy Lab
Speakers:
- Sri Husnaini Sofjan, Senior Program Advisor and Strategist, Huairou Commission
- Bijal Brahmbhatt, Director, Mahila Housing Trust
- Ikbel Dridri, Senior Project Manager, Cities Alliance Tunisia
Watch the recording
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Strengthening Urban Resilience at the World Urban Forum
Innovating Urban Resilience
Financing Strategies and Smart Solutions for Cities Worldwide
📍12th World Urban Forum, Cairo, Egypt – Multipurpose room 03
🗓 November 5, 2024, at 5:00 pm local time (UTC+2)
Urban resilience requires innovative strategies that blend institutional creativity, local engagement, and global expertise. At the 12th World Urban Forum in Cairo, the City Diplomacy Lab, the five United Nations Regional Commissions (UNECE, UNECLAC, UNECA, UNESCWA, and UNESCAP), and UN-Habitat gathered experts and city leaders to explore some of the most innovative approaches to overcoming urban challenges such as climate change, socio-economic crises, and rapid urbanization.
This hybrid networking event was organized within the framework of the United Nations Global Development Account (UNDA) project entitled Supporting Member States in Urban Economic Resilience, whose goal is to strengthen the capacity of cities to mitigate, recover, adapt, and transform toward sustainability in the face of a wide array of shocks and stresses.
Watch the Recording
Summary
Dr. Lorenzo Kihlgren Grandi, founding director of the City Diplomacy Lab, set the stage by emphasizing resilience as a collaborative ecosystem. He framed cities as living organisms thriving through the dynamic interplay of actors and partnerships, which are essential for crafting adaptive solutions to modern crises.
Representing the United Nations, Ms. Fiona Littlejohn-Carrillo, Economic Affairs Officer at the UNECLAC, introduced the United Nations Global Development Account (UNDA) project entitled Supporting Member States in Urban Economic Resilience. This inter-agency pilot project is designed to equip cities worldwide with tools to fund and implement urban economic resilience strategies. Her contribution underscored the necessity of tailoring these efforts to specific local contexts, ensuring no city is left behind.
From the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Mr. Emre Oguzoncul showcased the Green Cities program as a flagship initiative. His key insight was the importance of innovative financial instruments, such as green bonds, which empower cities to prioritize and fund their unique climate action plans.
Mr. Ko Takeuchi of the World Bank underscored the importance of proactive urban planning. He emphasized leveraging robust data and global trust funds to design scalable projects that incorporate both short-term adaptation needs and long-term climate mitigation goals.
Drawing from her expertise in urban economics, Prof. Cynthia Goytia of the Torcuato di Tella University in Buenos Aires advocated for integrating risk management into urban planning. She presented compelling examples of how cities can recoup the costs of resilience projects by capturing the value these investments generate, such as through land-based financing.
Dr. Viswanathan Srinivasan, from Tamil Nadu’s Green Climate Company, highlighted an ambitious initiative to implement energy-efficient projects, urban forestry, and lake restoration. He stressed the importance of forging partnerships with international organizations to strengthen local capacity and attract funding.
Advocating for smart technologies, Dr. Maysoun Ibrahim described how tools like AI and digital systems have revolutionized urban resilience, particularly during crises like COVID-19. Her message centered on the transformative potential of technology, paired with citizen engagement, to adapt urban systems rapidly.
From Amman, Eng. Ahmad Malkawi discussed the city’s innovative flood mitigation project and its updated zoning laws. His contribution emphasized Amman’s efforts to incorporate community voices into neighborhood-level urban planning, fostering a shared sense of responsibility.
Hon. Jacob Mafume, the Mayor of Harare, highlighted financial resilience as a cornerstone of urban stability. His plans to create a city stabilization fund and improve revenue collection reflected the necessity of sustainable financing mechanisms in resource-constrained environments.
From Santa Fe, Ms. Lucila García detailed an inspiring urban reserve project that transformed flood-prone wetlands into a resilient public space. Her example demonstrated how cities can blend environmental restoration with social benefits, such as housing relocations for vulnerable populations.
Finally, Ms. Sonja Dragović, a researcher at KANA/ko ako ne arhitekt in Podgorica, emphasized the power of grassroots urban resilience. She advocated for policymakers to recognize and integrate community-driven initiatives, such as sustainable mobility projects, which often provide the groundwork for long-term urban sustainability.
Ms. Anna Katrina Karaan, representing UN-Habitat’s City Resilience Global Program, closed the event by emphasizing the need to turn plans into actionable realities. She highlighted the program’s ongoing efforts to support cities in developing financing strategies and announced a free, self-paced e-learning course aimed at sharing knowledge on urban economic resilience. This course integrates lessons learned from collaborative projects and the event itself, encouraging participants to join the global journey toward building resilient, sustainable urban futures.
Program
Opening remarks
- Dr. Lorenzo Kihlgren Grandi, Founding Director, City Diplomacy Lab
- Ms. Fiona Littlejohn, Economic Affairs Officer, Human Settlements Unit, UNECLAC
Panel of Experts
- Mr. Emre Oguzoncul, Principal, Climate Strategy & Delivery, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
- Mr. Ko Takeuchi, Senior Specialist on Urban Development and Disaster Risk Management, World Bank
- Prof. Cynthia Goytia, Professor of Urban Economics, University Torcuato di Tella, Argentina
- Dr. Viswanathan Srinivasan, Chief Executive Officer, Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forest, Government of Tamil Nadu
- Dr. Maysoun Ibrahim, Founding President, Palestinian Syndicate for Information Sciences and Technology (Online)
UNDA16 Cities Testimonies
- Eng. Ahmad Malkawi, City Manager, Amman, Jordan
- Hon. Jacob Mafume, Mayor of Harare, Zimbabwe
- Ms. Lucila García, Director, Agency for Cooperation, Investment and Foreign Trade (ACICE), City of Santa Fe, Argentina (Online)
- Ms. Sonja Dragović, Researcher in urbanism and public policy, KANA/ko ako ne arhitekt, Podgorica, Montenegro
Closing Remarks
- Ms. Anna Katrina Karaan, Urban Resilience Specialist, City Resilience Global Programme (CRGP), UN-Habitat
Amman, Cairo, CEPAL, Coimbatore, EBRD, ECLAC, ESCAP, ESCWA, finance, Harare, Podgorica, resilience, Santa Fe, SDG 11, smart city, subnational finance, sustainable urban development, UN-Habitat, UNDA, UNECA, UNECE, UNECLAC, UNESCAP, UNESCWA, United Nations, urban economic resilience, World Bank, World Urban Forum, WUF12 -
Cities for All. Bottom-Up Action for Just Urban Development
How to imagine, build, and transform cities in a participatory way?
The participatory approach to urban development is widely regarded as an asset for cities. It enables the evolution of urban space to be aligned with the needs and aspirations of all its residents and actors while also leveraging and enhancing their creativity, knowledge, and energies for the common good.
However, such a participatory approach often runs up against the underrepresentation of large segments of the urban population, as is particularly evident in the Global South’s less affluent and informal neighborhoods. Unsurprisingly, such neighborhoods are also those characterized by reduced access to essential services and opportunities for economic and social development.
Fortunately, many examples in the Global South illustrate the positive impact of dialogue and collaboration between municipal governments, civil society, and citizen movements. In this third episode of the Urban Innovation to Achieve Just & Sustainable Cities series, we will delve into the nature and impact of these good practices and discuss their replicability across the world.
This session is part of the Daring Cities Virtual Forum 2024 and is co-organized by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and ICLEI in partnership with Cities Alliance, UN-Habitat, Slum Dwellers International, the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance, the African Union for Housing Finance, and the City Diplomacy Lab.
Program
Keynote by Suhailey Farzana, community architect and co-founder of Co.Creation.Architects and Platform of Community Action and Architecture (POCAA)
Panel discussion
- Joseph Kimani, Slum Dwellers International Kenya Director
- Paula Sevilla Nunez, IIED Researcher
- Naomi L. Y. Flomo and George Y. Gleh, Federation of Liberia Urban Poor Savers (FOLUPS)
Lorenzo Kihlgren Grandi, City Diplomacy Lab Founding Director (Chair).
Watch the recording
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3rd Urban Peace Dialogues | Cities of Memory
Since World War II, cities have become the primary target of armed violence, experiencing the majority of casualties and devastation. It is not surprising that the local governments of some of the most affected cities gradually emerged as strenuous advocates for peace.
The 2024 edition of the Urban Peace Dialogues convened mayors and representatives of three “cities of memory,” Cassino, Dunkirk, and Dortmund. This official UN Forum of Mayors hybrid event featured a moderated discussion around both the destructive impact of armed violence on cities and the constructive impact of resilience, reconstruction, and reconciliation.
The event was organized in partnership with the United States Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva and the Cities of Remembrance Network.
The event built on the previous editions of the Urban Peace Dialogues held at the UN Forum of Mayors in 2022 and 2023.
Photo Gallery
3rd Urban Peace Dialogues at the Palace of Nations, Geneva 
Dr. Lorenzo Kihlgren Grandi, Founding Director, City Diplomacy Lab 
Ms. Julie Perng, Senior Advisor to the Special Representative, Subnational Diplomacy Unit, U.S. Department of State 
3rd Urban Peace Dialogues | Round Table 
Mr. Enzo Salera, Mayor of Cassino, Italy 
Ms. Ayan Huseynova, Urban Diplomacy Officer, Department for Mayoral and City Council’s Affairs, City of Dortmund 
Océane Guillon, Head of International Partnerships, Greater Dunkirk Council, and Coordinator, Cities of Remembrance Network 
3rd Urban Peace Dialogues | Family Photo
Program
Opening remarks:
- Dr. Lorenzo Kihlgren Grandi, Founding Director, City Diplomacy Lab
- Ms. Julie Perng, Senior Advisor to the Special Representative, Subnational Diplomacy Unit, U.S. Department of State
Panel Discussion:
- Mr. Enzo Salera, Mayor of Cassino, Italy
- Ms. Océane Guillon, Head of International Partnerships, Greater Dunkirk Council, and Coordinator, Cities of Remembrance Network
- Ms. Ayan Huseynova, Urban Diplomacy Officer, Department for Mayoral and City Council´s Affairs, City of Dortmund
- Dr. Lorenzo Kihlgren Grandi, Founding Director, City Diplomacy Lab (Chair)
Highlights
In his opening remarks, City Diplomacy Lab Director Lorenzo Kihlgren Grandi emphasized the unique role and message of cities of memory in international relations. That distinctiveness is based on their demonstrated ability to halt the spiral of hatred despite facing the profound injustice of massive civilian casualties and destruction. Instead, they choose “a path of resilience that has led as much to reconstruction as it has to reconciliation.”
Julie Perng, Senior Advisor to the Special Representative at the U.S. Department of State’s Subnational Diplomacy Unit, emphasized the role of local leaders in strengthening global democracy and foreign policy. “Connecting with each other is not only a powerful way to lift up our communities, but it also sends a strong message on the importance of exchange and cooperation and on local leadership to address threats to democracy and peace.”
Enzo Salera, the Mayor of Cassino, scene of one of the most destructive and deadly land battles of World War II, resulting in the destruction of the city and its famous abbey, illustrated how their annual celebrations involve students from nations who fought against each other on such territory. “Only by keeping alive and passing on the memory to new generations can we prevent the return of these events.”
Ayan Huseynova, Urban Diplomacy Officer at the City of Dortmund, presented the tragic past of her city, whose center was 95 percent destroyed during World War II, with thousands of casualties. Her remarks emphasized reconstruction efforts and the even greater importance of “rebuilding morally, regaining trust and ties annihilated, and rebuilding the bridges.” An essential role in this dynamic was played in Dortmund by cultural, educational, and artistic exchanges with cities in former enemy countries.
The message from Dunkirk, a city known not only for Operation Dynamo but also for the bombings that destroyed 70 percent of the city and its important port, was conveyed by Océane Guillon, Head of International Partnerships at the Greater Dunkirk Council and coordinator of the Cities of Remembrance Network. She recalled the importance of solidarity in reconstruction, symbolized as much by the essential contribution of British civilians in the evacuation as by the donations received for reconstruction, including that of $1 million from the American namesake city of Dunkirk (N.Y.), anticipating the Marshall Plan, “an example of how two cities can inspire nations.”
The three city representatives aligned in emphasizing the importance of city diplomacy for peace, whose pragmatic and context-specific approach provides unique tools for dialogue, aid, and reconciliation. In the current context of multiple conflicts and wars across the world, including Europe, cities of memory renew their commitment to a message of peace based on their own firsthand experience of the universality of human suffering in war. A commitment that comes with the fervent hope of soon being able to partner with cities in nations and territories currently at war on a path of reconciliation.
Recording
