Working with Eurocities
The City of Stockholm joined Eurocities in 1995, the same year that Sweden became a member of the European Union. Since then, Stockholm has played an active role in the network. The city served for many years on the Eurocities Executive Committee and held the presidency of the organisation from 2018 to 2020, contributing to its development and strategic direction.
Through this long-term engagement, Stockholm has built close relationships with cities across Europe. The network has provided valuable opportunities to exchange knowledge, learn from others and work together on European projects that have delivered lasting results.
Eurocities has a unique role because it represents the places where people live and where the effects of European policy decisions, climate change and geopolitical instability are often felt most directly. Cities are also where practical solutions are developed and implemented every day.
By bringing cities together around common priorities, Eurocities strengthens their collective voice. When cities from across Europe speak together, their message carries greater weight than any one city acting alone.
For Stockholm, membership has provided strong partnerships and a platform to advocate for greater innovation, collaboration and sustainable urban development. Through Eurocities working groups, strategic initiatives and EU-funded projects, the city has exchanged expertise, found new partners and developed innovative approaches to shared challenges.
The network also helps strengthen capacity across city administrations, from political leaders to colleagues working on day-to-day implementation. By creating opportunities to share knowledge, learn from peers and build lasting relationships, Eurocities helps cities find stronger solutions to common challenges and ensures their voices are heard at European level.
What people need to know about the city
Built on 14 islands around one of Europe’s largest and best-preserved medieval city centres, Stockholm is a city of contrasts. It is simultaneously urban and close to nature, with green areas and lakes around every corner. Trends in music, design, fashion and technology are born here, and innovations that spread worldwide are invented here. Ranked one of Europe’s most innovative and liveable cities, it is home to more unicorn companies per capita than any other region in the world after Silicon Valley.
Sustainability has long been a focal point for Stockholm. The City’s first environment programme was adopted as early as 1976, and has been continuously developed ever since. As a result, Stockholm is one of few cities worldwide whose climate policies are compatible with the goals of the Paris agreement. Having managed to reduce CO2 emissions per capita by 58% already since 1990.
During this time, Stockholm has also been one of Europe’s fastest growing cities. With the number of inhabitants rising from 675,000 to nearly one million, and local GDP increasing by 78% since 2000 alone. Having already shown that ambitious climate policies and economic prosperity can go hand in hand, Stockholm’s City Council recently decided to set its sights even higher, adopting a plan to make Stockholm not just fossil fuel free, but climate positive by 2040.
Stockholm also has a rich cultural life comprising exciting architecture, museums and unique neighbourhoods. Where trendy bars and world-class restaurants are shoulder-to-shoulder with historic cafes and cosy pubs. This is a city of modern galleries, as well as small boutiques, unique shops and exclusive department stores. Stages and arenas attract Swedish and international stars. Large and small events come one after the next.
Open and welcoming, innovative and diverse, it is – and will remain – a city for everyone.
