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Future of Europe

Cities as Places of Hope- Resilient Cities

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Project Background

 ‘Cities as Places of Hopewas launched in 2019. The project aimed at fostering progressive city networks to achieve a fairer, greener Europe. Bringing together political, civil, and economic actors, the partner foundations discussed how these networks could gain more power at a European level, particularly to develop a positive narrative for the future of Europe. The project also provided a space to connect with and support engaged citizens in developing urban commons and democratic innovation.  

Project Objectives and Activities

The resilient cities project is about imagining cities that enable fair, sustainable, and caring coexistence worldwide. Our imaginations allow us to roam across histories, places, emerging ideas, and established practices; but also to question them.

European cities today remain too often the centres of unbridled consumption, ecological destruction and exclusion. Likewise, they are the places where people come together to think radically differently, where they act together, and where new cities (or new ways of inhabiting them) emerge from the collaboration of innovative citizens.

Among other initiatives, as part of this project, we will publish a Resilient Cities Framing paper. This report takes the potentiality of new ideas and practices as its starting point, exploring concepts such as the foundational economy and provisioning systems. It brings distinct possibilities together within a broader framework of thinking, linking it to concrete actions. What does a city that cares for its inhabitants and connectedness look like? A city that encourages us to look after one another but also for the earth and the environment? How do we shape an urban space that recognises everyone’s needs? With this paper, we want to show that the city we imagine is actually not so far away. The possibilities are there, we just need to find them. This paper intends to set the path for the search.

Audiovisual Material (2021)

Cities as Places of Hope II

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Project Background

Despite increasing divisions and the rise of right-wing forces on the European and national scenes, many European cities are pursuing a progressive, positive and transnationally networked vision.  

Building upon the expertise gained in the implementation of previous transnational projects on Urban Commons, the ‘Cities as Places of Hope’ project was launched in 2019 and focusses on these progressive city networks that are a key factor in the development for a positive narrative on the future of Europe. Bringing together political, civil, and economic actors, the partner foundations discuss how these networks can gain more power at the European level, particularly to develop a positive narrative for the future of Europe. The project is also providing a connected space to support engaged citizens in developing urban commons and democratic innovation.  

Project Objectives and Activities

The 2020 edition of the project focused on a few countries and showed there is great potential, with greens getting stronger and stronger at the city level. They even boast a presence in countries in East- and South-Europe where they underperform at national level, giving an important opportunity to build up. In order to further explore and exchange on transformative local practices and their potential to reinforce the green family, project partners will conduct research into inspiring transformative policies in cities where greens are present, will document these successes and organise events across Europe ‘In Search of the Green City.’  

In 2021 we aimed to build on the last two years of the project which focused on progressive city networks and their transformative power in developing a positive narrative of the future of Europe and supporting engaged citizens in developing urban commons and democratic innovation. 

Our partners are meeting  in selected green cities to organise seminars with local green actors based on the question: Do green cities have universal policies or core values? In autumn the project will continue with an inspiring public event in each country with a title ‘Talking about a Green City’ bringing together the broader green family of activists, members Green parties, civil society, new urban actors and the broader public. 

Project Outputs

As part of Cities of Hope II, the project partners developed the following articles as inspiring examples of transformative city initiatives:

Audiovisual Material (2021)

Deep-dive into different perspectives

Cities as Places of Hope

By

Project Background

Despite increasing divisions and the rise of right-wing forces on the European and national scenes, many European cities are pursuing a progressive, positive and transnationally networked vision.  

Building upon the expertise gained in the implementation of previous transnational projects on Urban Commons, the ‘Cities as Places of Hope’ project was launched in 2019 and focusses on these progressive city networks that are a key factor in the development for a positive narrative on the future of Europe. Bringing together political, civil, and economic actors, the partner foundations discuss how these networks can gain more power at the European level, particularly to develop a positive narrative for the future of Europe. The project is also providing a connected space to support engaged citizens in developing urban commons and democratic innovation.  

Project Objectives and Activities

The 2019 edition of the project focused on a few countries and showed there is great potential, with greens getting stronger and stronger at the city level. They even boast a presence in countries in East- and South-Europe where they underperform at national level, giving an important opportunity to build up. In order to further explore and exchange on transformative local practices and their potential to reinforce the green family, project partners will conduct research into inspiring transformative policies in cities where greens are present, will document these successes and organise events across Europe ‘In Search of the Green City.’ 

Imagine Europe in 2049 – An Interactive Evening Debate with the Green European Journal (Brussels)

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About the Event

The politics of tomorrow start with the politics of today.  

2019 has been a pivotal year in determining the future path of Europe and the world.  

In the year 2049, from the impacts of the climate crisis, to new technologies and ways of living, our politics and society will be radically different to what we know now. 

Yet this future is still open and up to us to decide. As we stand on the precipice of the next decade, now is the time to reflect on the past years and look ahead to envisage, design and embrace a brighter future for all.  

In the spirit of their edition 2049: Open Future released earlier this year, the Green European Journal, in partnership with the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, invite you to this exciting and interactive debate.  

We will bring together politicians with readers, activists and young people to discuss the future of Europe. In a year where young people more so than ever have been standing up for their futures, we will delve beyond institutions and treaties, to explore shared values and a collective vision for a hopeful horizon.  

The guest speakers will offer their own contributions to the discussion, with the opportunity for participants to give their own takes and insights on what they imagine for a future Europe.  

Guests

  • Moderation by Teo Comet – Teo is the former Secretary General of the Federation of Young European Greens and was elected to the board of the Green European Foundation in 2019. Teo also coordinates the Tilt platform for the European Greens.  
  • Anna Cavazzini – Anna was elected as a Greens/EFA MEP in 2019 for the German Greens, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen. In the European Parliament Anna works on international trade and the Green New Deal.
  • Francisco Guerreiro – elected as a Greens/EFA MEP in 2019 for the Portuguese People–Animals–Nature party, Pessoas-Animais-Naturez, PAN, Francisco is passionate about animal welfare, feminism and tackling climate change, working on fisheries and agriculture and rural development in the European Parliament.
  • Susanna Gionfra – a policy analyst for the Institute for European Environmental Policy, IEEP, Susanna has expertise in environmental economics and is currently working on Beyond GDP indicators and the links between production, environment and environmental policy.
  • Ioana Banach – Ioana is the deputy director of the Green European Foundation and has over ten years of experience in developing education and capacity building programmes as tools to promote political activism and citizens’ involvement in European democracy.

Practicalities

Drinks will be available after the debate.

The language of this debate will be English.

Entrance to the debate is free, but registration is required. Please register via this form found here.

Please find the Facebook Event Page for the debate here. 


About the Green European Journal & 2049: Open Future

Based in Brussels, the Green European Journal is the editorially independent publication of the Green European Foundation. The Green European Journaloffers analysis on current affairs, political ecology and the struggle for an alternative Europe, while working to create an inclusive, multilingual and independent media space.The Journal also publishes analysis, debates, interviews and podcasts on its website year-round, linked to current affairs and general topics of significance to the European green movement.
Visit our website and sign-up to our newsletter to receive updates on all of our latest content.

The edition 2049: Open Future goes beyond any one theme, featuring essays, stories and interviews, complemented with infographics, that look to the future to imagine the Europe(s) to be in 2049: from the evolution of the internet and reinvention of monetary systems to ideas for tomorrow such as Doughnut Economics and Universal Basic Income, to developing a circular fashion industry, rethinking mobility challenges and reflecting on the prospects of rewilding, to reshaping our lives and habits in the face of climate crisis.
Read the edition or download the full PDF version here. 

Heinrich Böll Foundation – After Europe goes to the polls: Where is the European Union headed? (Berlin)

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Event Background

The European election will be a litmus test for the European democratic project and further reveal and demonstrate what has been a trend in many European countries in recent years – the increasing success of right-wing populist and extremist forces. In regions where they are gaining more and more ground, they have already managed to influence the political discourse to a large degree and thus changed the direction and
impetus of the European election campaigns.

About the Event

The Heinrich Böll Foundation is therefore committed to bringing its European partners and European actors fighting against right-wing populism in Europe together to provide a platform for networking and the exchange of ideas, best practices and lessons learned.

At the conference “After Europe goes to the polls: Where is the European Union headed?”, the election results will be analysed, to examine the causes of voting behaviour in the individual EU member states, and discuss with European experts how the new majorities will impact the European Parliament’s ability to act, the interaction between the EU institutions, and the orientation of future EU policy.

The networking event – as part of the Conference – aims to connect and support progressive forces that promote liberal democracy within the EU.

Held with the cooperation of the Green European Foundation.

Programme

Monday, June 3rd, 2019

10.45: Registration
11.00: Welcome
13.00: Lunch
14.00: Welcome address and introduction
Dr. Ellen Ueberschär, President, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Berlin

Keynote
What challenges await the European Union after the European elections?
Ivan Krastev, Chair of the Centre for Liberal Strategies and Fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences, Sofia/Vienna

Discussion with:
Anne Gellinek*, Chief of the ZDF Television Office Brussels, Second German Television,
Brussels

15.00: Break
15.30: Panel – Analysis of the election results

· Motives and background: What are the key election results?
· What kind of EU have the voters elected?
· What were the motives behind electing parties sceptical about the EU and
integration?
· Do the election results vary by certain regions or groups of countries?
· What impact will the election results have on the EU policy of individual member
states?
Piotr Buras, Head of the Warsaw Office, European Council on Foreign Relations, Warsaw
Prof. Dr. Sylvie Strudel, Professor of Political Science, Université de Paris 2, Paris
Prof. Dr. Uwe Jun, Professor of Political Science, Trier University, Trier
Prof. Dr. Lina Papadopoulou, Associate Professor of Constitutional Law, Aristotle University Thessaloniki

17.00: Break
17.30: Panel – Where is the EU headed after Europe goes to the polls?

· What effect will the new majorities have on the European Parliament’s ability to act?
· New parliamentary groups – new alliances: How must the progressive forces now
position themselves?
· How much support does the European Union still have? How can it build further
trust? And how can it find a capacity to act?
· What consequences will the election results have for future EU policy?
· What common projects will now take priority?
Reinhard Bütikofer, MEP, Chair of the European Green Party, Brussels
Dr. Rui Tavares*, Politician and former MEP, The Greens/EFA, Young Policy Leader Fellow at European University Institute, Florence
Edit Zgut*, Analyst, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw/Budapest
Prof. Dr. Teresa Pullano, Assistant Professor of European Global Studies, University of
Basel

19.00: End
19.30: Dinner

*Speakers listed above have been invited, but have not necessarily confirmed their participation.

Tuesday, June 4th, 2019
09.30: Registration
10.00: Welcome address and introduction
Keynote
Civil society and the future of Europe

  • Dr. Sergey Lagodinsky, Candidate for the European Parliament, The Greens/EFA and
    Head of the European Union/North America Department, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Berlin
  • Flavia Kleiner, Co-President, Operation Libero, Bern

10.30: Exchange
How European elections have affected and affect the political landscape for civil
society and civil action

  • Inputs from partner organizations from different countries

Discussion

12.30: Lunch
13.30: Exchange
Capacity to act for civil society in times of shrinking spaces

  • Inputs from partner organizations from different countries

Discussion

15.00: Break
15.30: What comes next?
Feedback
16.00: End

Practicalities

Entry is free, but registration is required. Please register with the form found on the  Heinrich Böll Foundation website here. 

Transport connection
Bus 147 Deutsches Theater
S-Bahn S1, 2, 25, 5, 7, 75, 9 Friedrichstraße
U-Bahn U6, Oranienburger Tor
Tram M1, M6, 12 Oranienburger Tor
from central station (DB), Bus 147 > Ostbahnhof bis Deutsches Theater

Conference languages
The international conference will be translated simultaneously German/English.
The network meeting will take place in English only.


 

Cities as Places of Hope in the European Union

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Project Background

Despite increasing divisions and the rise of right-wing forces on the European and national scenes, many European cities are pursuing a progressive, positive and transnationally networked vision.

Cities are organising themselves increasingly in trans-local networks, such as Energy Cities, Fearless Cities, and Food Cities. As such, this type of governance is becoming all the more relevant at a transnational level in Europe.

Project Objectives and Activities

Building upon the expertise gained in the implementation of previous transnational projects on Urban Commons, the ‘Cities as Places of Hope in the European Union’ project will focus on these progressive city networks that are a key factor in the development for a positive narrative on the future of Europe.

Bringing together political, civil, and economic actors, the partner foundations will discuss how these networks can gain more power at the European level. As well as this, it will form a connected space where engaged citizens can find partner states for support in developing urban commons as an answer to bureaucratic state dominance and aggressive commodification.

This project will see a series of events across Europe, drawing together progressive and transformative forces to connect them to the Green movement and facilitate their exchanges.