Cities frequently cooperate with each other to exchange good practices and build their capacity to tackle critical urban challenges. This can happen in direct person-to-person exchanges and visits between city staff to transfer knowledge. Another approach is to upscale successful local solutions through national or European policy making.

Cities also increasingly show solidarity with a range of different partners, and by joining forces with other cities. During the coronavirus pandemic, many inspiring local initiatives brought out the best in local communities.

Within cities, volunteers are often a valuable support to administrations in areas as diverse as the integration of migrants and refugees, health, food distribution, support to the most vulnerable groups (including elderly, homeless people, youth, Roma and many others).

Our European projects in this area include VALUES.