Working Group Meetings

The B40 Balkan Cities Network has four working groups, which are focused on the following topics: Cooperation on Climate Action, Smart Cities & Digital Transformation, Local Democracy and Migration, and Local Economic Cooperation.

These working groups were established after the B40 Balkan Cities Network Istanbul Summit and have held virtual meetings three times, as well as one face-to-face meeting in Istanbul. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality served as the chairman of the working groups during their first term, and participants from every city in the network were involved.

The main activities of these working groups include sharing experiences and best practices related to their respective topics, as well as working on joint projects to address shared challenges. By collaborating in this way, the cities in the network can learn from each other and develop more effective strategies for tackling issues such as climate change, digital transformation, democracy and migration, and local economic development.

There are several benefits of the B40 Balkan Cities Network’s Working Groups for member cities, including:

Knowledge-sharing and learning: Through the working groups, cities have the opportunity to share their experiences, best practices, and challenges with other member cities. This knowledge-sharing can help cities learn from each other and adopt new strategies and approaches to tackling shared issues.

Collaboration and joint action: The working groups provide a platform for member cities to collaborate and work together on joint projects related to topics such as climate action, digital transformation, democracy and migration, and local economic development. This collaboration can help cities achieve more significant results and make a greater impact than they could individually.

Networking and partnership building: The working groups can facilitate networking and partnership building between member cities, which can lead to new opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing beyond the working groups themselves.

Capacity-building: Through participation in the working groups, cities can build their capacity to address issues related to climate action, digital transformation, democracy and migration, and local economic development. This capacity-building can help cities become more resilient and adaptive in the face of challenges.

Overall, the working groups provide a valuable platform for member cities to collaborate, share knowledge and expertise, and work together to address common challenges that cities are faced. By participating in these groups, cities can benefit from a range of opportunities to improve their effectiveness and make a positive impact on their communities. The working groups are an important part of the B40 Balkan Cities Network, and their activities are focused on promoting collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and joint action among member cities.