Workshop at the Faculty of Geography within the UrbaNEX–WB Project

On June 19–20, 2025, the Faculty of Geography at the University of Belgrade hosted a workshop as part of the international project Urban Nexus: Empowering Local Governance in the Western Balkans, implemented under the CEI Know-how Exchange Programme (KEP) 2024.

In addition to representatives from the Faculty of Geography, the workshop brought together participants from Politecnico di Torino, the Ministry of European Integration of the Republic of Serbia, and the City of Kragujevac. Over the course of two days, discussions focused on strengthening the capacities of local communities for participation in the URBACT programme. Participants explored the role of academia in supporting local governments, mapped local resources and capacities, and began shaping a proposal for a future URBACT project in cooperation with the City of Kragujevac. The agenda also included topics such as participatory planning, the formation of URBACT Local Groups, and the development of Integrated Action Plans.

This activity is part of a broader project aimed at empowering local self-governments in Albania and Serbia to implement sustainable urban policies in line with European Union standards. The project is implemented through a tandem approach, with Politecnico di Torino providing technical expertise, while the Faculty of Geography of the University of Belgrade and the Co-PLAN Institute from Albania serve as partners and intermediaries in transferring knowledge to cities and municipalities, as well as to relevant ministries.

The UrbaNEX–WB project is financed by the Central European Initiative (CEI) through the KEP – Know-how Exchange Programme 2024, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic. It contributes to preparing local communities for participation in the URBACT IV call in 2026 and supports the broader EU integration process.