The B40 Balkan Cities Network successfully held its first online working group meetings under the Sofia Presidency on April 9, 2025. The meetings, which were conducted online, saw active participation from member cities and observer representatives.

A total of 16 cities participated in the meetings: Istanbul, Athens, Niksic, Zagreb, Tirana, Sofia, Shumen, Muğla, Thessaloniki, Pella, Izmir, Troyan, Phristina, Split, Tuzi, and Galati. Observer representatives from the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye and ICLEI also attended the meetings.

The four working groups – Local Climate Action, Local Democracy and Migration, Smart Cities and Digital Transformation, and Local Economic and Cultural Cooperation – each convened to discuss key topics and collaborative projects for the year ahead. Participants shared insights, challenges, and best practices within their respective areas.

Among the primary topics discussed were:

• Urban Heat Island Effect and Air Pollution Mitigation in the Local Climate Action Working Group.
• The promotion of local democracy and citizen engagement through events such as a photo competition/exhibition on local democracy and citizen protests in the Local Democracy and Migration Working Group.
• Digital transformation and smart city solutions, with an emphasis on artificial intelligence and new technologies in urban services in the Smart Cities and Digital Transformation Working Group.
• The strengthening of transportation and cultural ties between cities, including the creation of direct transport routes and a shared calendar for cultural events in the Local Economic and Cultural Cooperation Working Group.

The B40 Secretariat highlighted the importance of collaboration and the exchange of ideas, with a focus on enhancing inter-city cooperation through joint projects, shared resources, and mutual support for upcoming initiatives. Additionally, the group emphasized the role of funding, including the exploration of EU and other international financial support for climate and cultural projects.

The first round of Online Working Group Meetings ended with the B40 Network, with all of its constituents, emphasizing progresses toward concrete outcomes and that cities can collaborate on initiatives that foster regional sustainability, democracy, and cultural exchange.