The B40 Local Democracy and Migration & Local Climate Action Working Group Meetings were held in Zagreb between 6–8 September 2026, hosted by the City of Zagreb. Bringing together municipal representatives and experts from across the Balkans, the meetings provided a platform for exchanging experiences and best practices on local democracy, migration, climate action, citizen participation, and sustainable urban development.
Representatives from the cities of Bijeljina, Chania, Constanța, Edirne, İstanbul, Kotor, Larissa, Sarajevo, Muğla, Novo Mesto, Tetovo, Tuzla, Zagreb, and the B40 Permanent Secretariat participated in the meetings.
The opening reception was held on 6 September, followed by the main program on 7 September at Zagreb’s Old City Hall. The working group meetings opened with remarks by Barbaros Büyüksağnak, Permanent Secretary of the B40 Balkan Cities Network, at the City Assembly. The Local Democracy and Migration Working Group was moderated by Matej Mišić, President of the Zagreb City Assembly, while the Local Climate Action Working Group was moderated by Marina Ivandić, Vice-President of the Zagreb City Assembly.
The Local Democracy and Migration Working Group sessions addressed the growing role of artificial intelligence in public services, including its practical application in local government and its adoption by public administrations and citizens. The program also focused on citizen participation and neighborhood innovations, youth-oriented cultural initiatives, and innovative approaches to migration challenges at the local level.
The Local Climate Action Working Group focused on mapping and understanding urban heat islands and strengthening urban heat resilience. Participants also explored citizen-centered approaches to urban greening and discussed how expert knowledge, local strategies, and public participation can be effectively integrated into climate action. Zagreb’s Green Courtyards initiative was presented as an example of transforming concrete courtyards into climate-resilient spaces in collaboration with citizens.
The program concluded with field visits highlighting Zagreb’s local practices. Participants of the Local Democracy and Migration Working Group visited the One Stop Shop for Migrants, which provides support to applicants seeking international protection, persons granted international or temporary protection, and foreign workers. The Local Climate Action Working Group also took part in a field visit to a Zagreb Green Courtyard, providing an opportunity to observe local urban greening practices.
The meetings reaffirmed the importance of knowledge exchange and cooperation among Balkan cities in addressing shared urban challenges and developing inclusive, innovative, and climate-resilient solutions at the local level.
