Eurotowns network

The network was established in 1991 as the Europe-wide network for towns and cities with populations between 50.000 and 250.000.

Towns and cities of this size play a significant part in the economic and social life of Europe. The Eurotowns network aims to ensure that this fact is properly reflected in the development of European legislation. There are currently 20 member cities represented in the network.

Our mission – to develop a network with medium-sized European cities

The Mission of Eurotowns is to develop a network of vibrant, socially inclusive and sustainable medium-sized European cities, which acts as a catalyst for urban Innovation, creativity and renewal.

Eurotowns policy agenda focuses on the following areas:

Promoting LIFELONG LEARNING and the development of education and skills
Growing the KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY and creating better local jobs
Providing effective, efficient and SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT systems
Ensuring that growth is SOCIALLY INCLUSIVE – all in society benefit
Improving the quality of the PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

Eurotowns network – Structure

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Is where all partners meet once a year (autumn). The Assembly debates and decides the overall programm of the network and the policy direction for the future, based on recommendations made by the Executive Council. The General Assembly also provides a forum for policy debate and establishes the basis for the definition of the network’s political agenda.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

It is the body competent to follow the work progress and ensure the implementation of all General Assembly decisions. The Executive Council is composed by 5 members of the Eurotowns Network and by the President and two vice Presidents. They meet on trimestrial basis checks to discuss daily management of the network/ control network priorities/ check on major relevant events/ promotes networking actions/ partnership enlargement.

TASK TEAMS

Work is organised around task teams:

Carry out the work program of the network based on the key challenges as defined by the general Assembly or the Executive Council;
Work in a specific area or subject through confrontation / round tables / surveys and report progress to the Executive Council;
Evaluate the possibility of accessing external sources of finance for the work.

Task teams receive network funding in order to develop project ideas of to implement studies and researches, facilitate confrontation.

The EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (2023-2026) is composed of:

Presidency:

Municipality of Sindelfingen (Germany)

Vice-Presidency:

Municipality of Manresa (Spain)

Municipality of Reggio Emilia (Italy)

Executive Council Members:

Municipality of Gävle (Sweden)

Municipality of Roeselare (Belgium)

Municipality of Solingen (Germany)

Municipality of Varberg (Sweden)

Network main bodies rotate every three years and are elected by the General Assembly.

Your entry into the Eurotowns network and your benefits

Why participating in the network:

networking enables representation of local government in Europe
provides a privileged framework for promoting innovation and exchanging experiences at transnational level
provides good basis for the development of long lasting partnerships
supports the partners in the identification of EU programs and joint presentation of EU projects
provides a good basis for constant update and periodic confrontation both at political and operational level

The advantages of medium-sized cities:

human scale
proximity of/to citizens
participation in democracy
closer relationships between stakeholders
ability to deliver policy and practice quicker and more efficiently
quality of life
lower levels of congestion and better air quality
availability of good quality land

City networking is an important practice for reinforcing European Cohesion. In addition to being an area of cooperation between communities, participation in such networks enables representation of local government in Europe. It also provides a privilege framework for promoting innovation and exchanging experiences at transnational level.