How can cities turn global goals into local action? That’s the key question driving the Eurocities Academy’s new training on Local Action for Sustainable Development, a tailor-made programme supporting cities to develop Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs).
Through a combination of expert-led insights, interactive sessions and peer discussions, the training equips participants with the tools, skills and methodologies to embed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into local governance and drive real impact on the ground.
Held through a series of online sessions and an in-person workshop in Barcelona, alongside the Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC), the training provides a strategic, hands-on learning experience.
Participants will leave the course with a structured and city-specific Action Plan, ready to strengthen sustainability efforts and support long-term SDG localisation.
Please note, the Eurocities Academy is holding an online public information webinar to provide guidance and answer any questions about the training on Local Action for Sustainable Development, on Friday 25 April 2025, at 10:00. Register for the information webinar here.
Why this training?
As the level of government closest to citizens, cities are essential to delivering on the global ambitions of the 2030 Agenda. However, many face challenges in aligning policies, managing data, engaging stakeholders and integrating sustainability across departments.
Voluntary Local Reviews offer a powerful tool to assess and accelerate progress on the SDGs – but structured support is often missing. This training fills that gap. Designed specifically for city officials and other urban professionals, it empowers participants to:
- Understand how VLRs link with EU policy frameworks like the European Green Deal and the Urban Agenda for the EU.
- Apply evidence-based decision-making through local data and indicators.
- Foster multi-stakeholder and multi-level governance for sustainable development.
- Develop actionable policy recommendations and bankable projects aligned with SDGs.
- Create a concrete roadmap for SDG localisation tailored to their city’s priorities.
What makes this training unique?
This is the only training in Europe offering a comprehensive, city-tailored approach to Voluntary Local Reviews. Participants benefit from:
- Customised learning focused on local SDG implementation.
- Expert guidance and real-world case studies.
- Peer exchange with city colleagues across Europe.
- Action-oriented methods leading to a practical output: a city-specific Action Plan.
- Exclusive access to the Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC), including a full congress pass.
Who should attend?
The course is open to:
- City officials from European and non-European cities.
- Experts in urban sustainability, planning, governance and data.
- Professionals from public institutions, research organisations, or the private sector.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance your SDG efforts, the training is designed to meet your needs. No prior experience with VLRs is required.
What’s the format?
The training combines three online sessions, on 27 June, 26 September and 17 October, with a two-day in-person workshop in Barcelona on 3–4 November 2025, held alongside the Smart City Expo World Congress.
The online sessions introduce participants to SDG localisation and Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs), explore data collection and stakeholder engagement, and prepare cities for long-term integration of VLRs.
In Barcelona, participants will dive into case studies, tackle strategic planning challenges, receive tailored guidance from Eurocities, and present their draft Action Plans for peer review.
Registration and fees
- Eurocities member city officials: €1,000
- Other city officials: €1,400
- Other professionals: €1,750
Participation includes the full training programme, personalised feedback on Action Plans, lunch and coffee breaks, and a complimentary SCEWC congress pass (€1,250 value, VAT included).
- Registration opens: 1 April 2025.
- Deadline: 15 May 2025 (or until all 20 spots are filled).
- To register, complete the registration form.
If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the training will be cancelled and no payments will be processed.
About the organisers
The Eurocities Academy is the network’s dedicated training programme, providing capacity-building to city leaders and experts. To date, it has trained over 200 officials from more than 110 cities.
For more information, please contact: Guillem Ramírez Chico, Eurocities Academy Coordinator, at guillem.ramirez-chico@eurocities.eu
