CITIZENS
Creating a Europe closer to citizens means fostering the sustainable and integrated territorial development of urban, rural and coastal areas through local initiatives.
Our programme helps local, regional and national governments across Europe to develop and deliver better regional development policies in this field.
We create opportunities for sharing solutions to regional development issues, for exchanging good practices and for policy learning via our two pillars: our interregional cooperation projects and our Policy Learning Platform.
Scroll below to capitalise on the knowledge they've gained, take part in upcoming capacity building opportunities or apply for your own project proposal.
Discover the CITIZENS sub-topics we address and click on the link to find all related resources on our website.
Projects and project ideas
Get inspired by our approved projects or explore one of these CITIZENS project ideas. Then, discover how you can get involved in interregional cooperation by preparing your own project proposal.
Policy solutions
Explore all the policy solutions our projects and policy experts have identified on the topic of CITIZENS. Read through our policy briefs and good practices. Watch our webinar recordings. Download the conclusions for past workshops and peer reviews.
Good practices
See all
URBforDAN - Management and Utilization of Urban Forests
Fostering urban forest benefits through integrated and participatory management for improved quality of life in EU cities – a tested and proven good practice.
De Nieuwe Mark
Rising awareness about the traditional irrigation system in the Vega Baja region
Provincial Water Board
Blue routes: Alicante’s Hydrogeological Heritage
THESEUS Project – Innovative coastal technologies for safer European coasts in a changing climate
Reconnecting Aarhus to the Sea: Urban Mediaspace
Water Museum of Esztergom-a way of showing water-based heritages and the climate change
SACHER (Smart Architecture for Cultural Heritage in Emilia-Romagna)
The Uncovering of The River Aarhus (1992-2015)
Bridge Guard Residential Art / Science Centre- a way of preserving cultural heritage
Development in dialogue
LIFE - PLETERA
EBRO - ADMICLIM
CITIZENS policy solutions
See all
Promoting gender inclusive urban planning policies in Valenciennes Métropole
The Policy Learning Platform conducted a peer review for Valenciennes Métropole, France, held on 17-18 April 2024. Valenciennes Métropole sought inspiration to promote gender inclusive urban policies, namely regarding the process to involve stakeholders in a gender mainstreaming approach.Leveraging European funding for small urban areas: Key learnings
On 8 February, the Policy Learning Platform organised a webinar on the topic of smart energy management. Take a look at the recording, presentations and key learnings!Empowering local communities for their river resources
Discover how the town of Trebnje educated youngsters on response water resource management through a Community-Led Local Development initiative.Governance and digitalisation of fortress heritage in the City of Magdeburg
On 13 and 14 September 2023, the Policy Learning Platform hosted a peer review together with the City of Magdeburg on the topic of governance and digitalisation of fortress heritage. Discover the recommendations.Rethinking local policies: Bringing back nature to the city
Explore the key learnings of our workshop on Bringing back nature to the city that took place in Ghent.Rethinking local policies: Modern green districts
Explore the key learnings of our workshop on Modern green districts that took place in Ghent.Entrepreneurial opportunities in the Silver Economy in rural regions
In this article, learn about the challenges and opportunities that Europe's ageing population can bring to the economy and businesses!Replay available: Next generation policymakers
More than 150 participants, 10 talented speakers around an important subject: why continuous learning and cooperation helps policymakers to face today and tomorrow's challenges. Watch the recording.Key learnings of the webinar on Smart Villages
On 28 June 2022, the Policy Learning Platform organised a webinar on the topic of Smart Villages. Learn about the key insights and good practice to turn your village smart!Mobilising citizen financing for renewables
Watch the recording and access the key learnings of the webinar on mobilising citizen financing for renewables that took place on 5 May 2022.Reviving the network of fortress belts in Antwerp: policy recommendations
Explore the policy recommendations from the Antwerp peer review that took place in November 2021 on reviving the network of fortress belts.Cultural routes in Europe
Discover the transnational routes that help tourists discover how Europeans have lived since ancient times. This policy brief presents the Council of Europe’s Cultural Routes Programme, the EU’s policies on Cultural Routes, and good practices.Cultural heritage in mountain regions
Read this policy brief and get an overview of EU initiatives that local and regional authorities should refer to for boosting sustainable development in mountain areas through the valorisation of the cultural heritage.Webinar recording: The value of cooperation for EU outermost regions
Watch the recording and explore the key learnings from the online event dedicated to EU outermost regions.Off the beaten track: Regional strategies boosting tourism through heritage
Learn about Granada Geopark's success story which saw an increase of visitors by changing its Provincial Strategy with a focus on sustainable tourism
Get policy advice
Are you looking for help on a regional policy-making challenge or simply have a question? Make use of our Platform services.
News and events
Explore the latest news and upcoming events on CITIZENS topics.
3rd Regional Stakeholders' Group meeting at APESA in France
On 19th of March the stakeholders of APESA met to discuss the advancement of SYSTOUR project2nd Stakeholders Group Meeting in Poland
On the 24th of November 2023, the Marshal Office of Swietokrzyskie Region organized the second Stakeholders Group Meeting in Ethnographic Park in Tokarnia, which was attended by 20 peopleInterRevita partner meeting in Roeselare, Belgium
On 17-18 April, the third partner meeting of the InterRevita project was held in the city of Roeselare, Belgium.The stakeholders of Bizkai territory meet in Lea Artibai
Town councils and tourism companies of Lea Artibai met with the responsible of the Region of Bizkaia to discuss the Tourism Revitalisation Plan of the region and also to learn about the good practices presented during the study visit of SYSTOURIMPETUS on Canary Islands Public Tv
Watch a TV report about the project from our second interregional seminar in Las Palmas.IMPETUS video, a quick project overview
Learn about our project by watching this video.RegioStars 2024: call for applications
RegioStars Awards 2024 is open for nominations. Will your project shine this year?IMPETUS 2nd Interregional Thematic Seminar in Las Palmas
The Second Interregional Thematic Seminar of the IMPETUS project will take place on 9 and 10 April in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.InterRevita project leaflet is now available in 7 languages!
We are thrilled to announce that the InterRevita project leaflets have been completed! These informative resources are now available in seven language versions, making them accessible to a wide audience.New report showing practices on integrated urban development
Embark on a journey of discovery and insight with our latest report on revitalisation and integrated urban development. Explore innovative practices that shape our cities for a brighter future.3rd Interregional project event in Lea Artibai Region, Spain
Between 29 February and 1 March, tourism policy makers from France, Italy, Hungary, Finland and Poland visited Lea-Artibai and the counties of Uribe and Urdaibai.Basilicata: 6 Good Practices for Sustainable Growth
Check out six Good Practices on strengthening rural resilience through tourism, digital transformation, community cooperative, open arts, and more!Building a successful partnership webinar 2024
On 15 April we organised a project development webinar about building a successful partnership. It was the first one in a set of four webinars on how to develop your project and submit it in an application during this call.Designing project methodology webinar 2024
On 16 April we organised a project development webinar about designing the project methodology. It was the second one in a set of four webinars on how to develop your project and submit it in an application during this call.Management and finances webinar 2024
On 17 April we organised a project development webinar about the project management, budget and finances. It was the third one in a set of four webinars on how to develop your project and submit it in an application during this call.
Join the community
Our community brings people together to cooperate and share solutions to their regional development challenges.
Receive our newsletter
Don't miss the latest news and events from our programme. Discover what's happening in your thematic area.