URBACT: Empowering European Cities for a Sustainable, Integrated Future

The URBACT programme enables European cities to co-create sustainable, integrated solutions to challenges such as the green and digital transitions, inclusion, and territorial cohesion. At the forefront, INOVA+ has already supported more than 20 URBACT networks and has helped turn good practices into real impact for territories.

Over 20 years of city-to-city cooperation

European cities and territories face complex challenges that demand integrated, collaborative, and innovative approaches. Issues such as the green and digital transitions, territorial cohesion, social inclusion, and building resilient local economies call for solutions that cross administrative boundaries and inspire mutual learning between cities.

In this context, programmes like URBACT play a fundamental role. Created to promote the exchange of good practices and sustainable urban development, URBACT has, for more than 20 years, been one of Europe’s leading platforms for capacity-building and cooperation among cities.

INOVA+ has played an active role throughout this journey, supporting the design, management, and implementation of URBACT projects in Portugal and across Europe. With solid experience in coordinating European networks and supporting urban innovation, INOVA+ has contributed significantly to the success of several Portuguese cities in this programme.

What is URBACT?

URBACT is the European territorial cooperation programme dedicated to promoting integrated sustainable urban development. Launched in 2002 and currently in its fourth edition (URBACT IV, 2021–2027), the programme is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), by the Member States, and by partner countries such as Norway and Switzerland

Over its four editions, URBACT has evolved significantly. In its early phases the focus was on exchanging experiences and creating local action plans, but today the programme also emphasises the transfer of good practices, institutional capacity-building, citizen participation, and alignment with major European priorities—namely the green transition, digital transformation, gender equality, and territorial cohesion.

The URBACT methodology is based on creating transnational city networks that collaborate over two to three years to solve shared urban challenges. These networks are organised into different types:

• Action Planning Networks – to design integrated action plans. At the moment, the first set of URBACT IV networks is nearing completion, with a new call expected to open in April 2026;
• Transfer Networks – to adapt and apply good practices recognised with the “URBACT label” in other European cities;
• Innovation Transfer Networks – to support the implementation of innovative urban policies, building on projects successfully developed and implemented through Urban Innovative Action (now called the European Urban Initiative).

The URBACT method relies on horizontal and vertical policy integration, co-creation with citizens and local stakeholders, and peer-to-peer learning. This approach has enabled hundreds of cities across Europe to develop more effective and inclusive policies, transforming how they plan and manage their territories.

Portugal has been one of the most active countries in the programme. Portuguese cities have demonstrated remarkable leadership, innovation, and European collaboration. The results of the latest call for Transfer Networks are a case in point: of the 25 approved networks, 8 are led by Portuguese cities or entities, and 4 of those networks were directly supported by INOVA+ in preparing the application and structuring the network.

This performance confirms not only the institutional maturity of Portuguese cities but also the strategic role of INOVA+ as an outstanding partner in managing European urban innovation projects.

INOVA+ experience in managing URBACT projects

“Working with the INOVA+ team on URBACT has been an extremely positive experience. The competence, rigour, dedication, and empathy with which they support the process make INOVA+ a true trusted partner—a partner that understands the project’s purpose and turns it into concrete results”. Nuno Cunha, Director of Associação Pentágono Urbano

“The work carried out by the Municipality of Fundão with the support of INOVA+ under the URBACT programme was an opportunity to develop a collective effort to enhance its identity, particularly by integrating its urban and rural dimensions. INOVA+’s support and guidance were essential to maximise the impact of the programme’s methodology on the territory’s competitiveness and on the recognition of its innovation and investment strategy—especially in the digital domain—as one of the most recent good practices recognised as a URBACT Transfer Network.” Paulo Fernandes, Mayor, Municipality of Fundão

“Collaboration with INOVA+ has helped consolidate Vila Nova de Cerveira’s international trajectory. Our joint work within the URBACT programme has strengthened the municipality’s presence in European networks, with INOVA+ as a strategic partner ensuring the necessary articulation between the local and European levels—between people, ideas, and EU programmes. Their knowledge of URBACT methodologies, combined with a rigorous and trustworthy approach, has been essential to turn opportunities into concrete results for the territory.” Rui Teixeira, Mayor, Municipality of Vila Nova de Cerveira

With more than 20 URBACT networks supported since URBACT II, INOVA+ has consolidated extensive experience in managing and valorising European projects. Key activities include:

• Coordinating and facilitating Local Action Groups, promoting active participation by diverse urban stakeholders in the project’s field of action;
• Co-creating Action Plans, Transfer Plans, and Improvement Plans, aligned with local needs and European good practices;
• Supporting communication and dissemination of results, strengthening the networks’ visibility and impact;
• Providing administrative and financial follow-up, ensuring rigorous and efficient management;
• Participating in transnational meetings and developing technical support content, ensuring methodological coherence and quality outcomes.

Beyond its consulting and management role, INOVA+ also counts on two URBACT Experts with extensive international experience:

• Eurico Neves, Chairman of INOVA+ (perfil URBACT);
• Miguel Sousa, CEO of INOVA+ (perfil URBACT).

These experts are part of the URBACT Expert Pool, supporting cities across Europe in designing and implementing innovative urban policies—thereby reinforcing INOVA+’s credibility and technical capacity in this field.

URBACT: shaping Europe’s urban future

URBACT remains one of Europe’s most relevant platforms for promoting sustainable urban development, innovation in local policies, and cooperation between cities. Its impact goes far beyond individual projects: it translates into staff capacity-building, trust-based networks, more effective policy development, and the construction of more resilient communities.

INOVA+ is proud to be at the forefront of this European programme. With a highly qualified team and deep experience in managing URBACT networks, we will continue to support Portuguese cities and entities in the sound implementation and enhancement of their projects.

Moreover, participation in URBACT opens doors to other funding and investment opportunities—namely through the European Urban Initiative (EUI – the Champions League), Structural Funds, and national initiatives that value the impact of sustainable urban policies.

We believe the future of European cities lies in this networked collaboration—and URBACT will continue to be the space where innovation, sustainability, and participation come together to shape Europe’s urban future.

Authorship: André Cester Costa, Director of Valorisation Directorate INOVA+