The project’s main goal is the promotion of European Union’s economic, social and cultural integration process, particularly through the coordination between European cities and metropolitan areas and the EU institutions, with an actual citizen engagement with the decision-making process.

The project involves nine partners:

• Área Metropolitana do Porto

• Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona

• Città Metropolitana di Milano

• ALDA - European Association for Local Democracy (coordinating the project together with the Milan Metropolitan City)

• Città Metropolitana di Bari

• Consiliul Local Al Municipiului Craiova

• Verband Region Stuttgart

• Gdansk Gdynia Sopot Metropolitan Area

• Grad Zagreb

Description of the project:

This project will be promoting the cohesion of metropolitan areas and cities, sharing knowledge on different topics along international events organized by the partners.

Its goal is to build a themed network of European metropolitan cities that will allow the exchange of experiences on European fund management and the role of metropolitan cities in the future of European governance, never forgetting that the participation of citizens in this process is fundamental.

This network will include metropolitan cities with years of experience, as well as different kinds of institutions and realities.

PROJECT ACTIVITIES

1. Preparation activities

Content:

• During the first month of the project, the partners will discuss the project action plan and the technical and practical aspects of the project implementation, including the organisation and schedule of local activities.

Expected results:

• Practical decisions concerning the organisation, management and coordination of activities shall be taken. The partners will also draw up a communication plan to ensure good dissemination of the project.

2. Site

Content:

• A website in English will be developed at the beginning of the project to be used throughout the implementation period and preferably after the project too, to share documents on civic participation in local governance, on the activities of the project and spread best practices. Partners will actively participate in the maintenance of the site, providing relevant documentation on local activities and international seminars.

Expected results:

• The website will enhance the sharing of information on civic participation and governance of metropolitan cities, as well as promote the on-line debate on the topic. The goal is to reach and communicate with a broad audience, arousing interest in European initiatives as well as in local opportunities for citizens take part in decision-making.

3. Questionnaire

Content:

• A questionnaire will be prepared by the project partners in order to assess the participants’ knowledge and to understand their sense of belonging to the European institutions. These questionnaires will take into account the variety of actors involved and they will be adapted to the type of event taking place, as well as to the topics covered in the events. There will be two versions of the questionnaire: one to be distributed before the event and the other one at the end of local and international events.

Expected results:

• These questionnaires will be completed by the participants before and after international and local events and will help to understand the initial knowledge of the participants and the impact of the project activities. These questionnaires will also help collect comments and ideas for civic participation and they will be a useful tool for measuring participants’ commitment.

4. Local activities

Content:

• Each metropolitan area or city will organise participatory local activities to discuss one or more topics of the international conferences, bringing together about 25 participants from different strata (young people, policymakers, foreigners living in metropolitan areas, etc.) with the aim of actively involving them in the decision-making process of metropolitan areas and cities.

• The target groups are primarily citizens and policymakers. Among citizens, special attention shall be paid to young people, Europe’s next generation, because of their central role in building future Europe. The project also wishes to involve trade associations and NGOs engaged in civic participation, social inclusion, European affairs, etc. Public officials and elected local representatives of municipalities, metropolitan areas and cities should also participate, as well as politicians at local, regional, national and European levels. This broad involvement will allow the project to have a comprehensive impact and represent a wide spectrum of interests.

• The events should create a debate between citizens and policymakers, enable the dissemination of knowledge and take advantage of partners’ experiences, identifying best practices and innovative solutions for metropolitan governance and civic participation in decision-making.

Expected results:

• Local activities will be the setting for an active dialogue between policymakers and citizens at local level. Improving the outcome of decision-making through direct democracy will enhance dialogue in metropolitan areas and among the network of metropolitan areas and cities, which will share and discuss the results achieved.

5-13 — International Seminars

Content:

• 9 International Seminars, each with its own theme. In the AMP the chosen theme was: “Metropolitan Areas and Integrated Investment Strategies”.

All partners are invited to actively participate in these seminars by adding something “personal” to the project, sharing what is most important to them and their citizens, bearing in mind that the main objective of the project is to bring Europe closer to its citizens, explaining the impact that European funds have and/or could have on their lives.

All partners should actively participate in international events, helping to ensure that these events leave a mark on what will be achieved through the production of the project tools and results: publication, website and video.

ALDA will provide support and information on best practices to promote civic participation initiatives at local and European levels. The final conference will close with the results of the project and propose a follow-up to strengthen, increase and expand the network of metropolitan cities. The project will build a network of European metropolitan cities with the aim of improving their collaboration in local governance and civic participation. Each city will be able to use the events as an opportunity to learn how to profit more from European funds in terms of growth and stability. All countries will contribute to strengthening the sense of European citizenship and identity; the topics covered in this project will be discussed both in their European dimension and from the perspective of democratic participation in decision-making. The partnership covers different European areas from east to west, north to south, and this will grant a more diverse and multifaceted debate and the construction of a genuine European network.

14. Documentary

Content:

• A documentary will be recorded along the project to present the various partners and their initiatives for civic participation. It will focus on discussions held at local level and during international seminars. This documentary will also present the results obtained during the project. It will be released during the final event and made available on the project website.

Expected results:

• The documentary seeks to provide a better exposure of the project and the initiatives and activities carried out by each partner in relation to civic participation and local governance. This will strengthen the image of the network of metropolitan cities and facilitate the communication of the project to a larger audience.

15. Publication

Content:

• A publication will be prepared and disseminated to the participants of the project, and it will also be available on the project website. This publication will present the results of the project and of local events.

Expected results:

• The publication will provide a better dissemination of the project’s activities in relation to civic participation and local governance and facilitate the communication of the project on a larger public scale.