On 11 October 2017 the Directorate-General for Environment of the European Commission invites you to the workshop "How can we set long-term urban strategies within the framework of short-term political cycles? Perspectives from European Green Capital Award winners" with Green Capital Mayors. The workshop is part of the European Week of Regions and Cities 2017.

The session will then move to Leuven on its structure of 'collaborative approach' to govern the city: what drove the city to set-up this structure? What is involved to make it work and what were the challenges? 

Lisbon's decision to 'go green' just as the world's worst financial crisis hit the country in 2007 will be analysed. What did it take politically to keep the city on its sustainability path when the economy was crumbling? How Lisbon's citizens convinced to support these long-term investments? 

Finally the session will look at Nijmegen on how they have involved citizens and local business in there integrated strategy for long-term sustainability, and ask what makes them stand out from other similar cities.

Target audience: EU, national, regional and local policy/decision makers

Other stakeholders: private companies, financial institutions, European and national associations

For more information and registration visit the European Week of Regions and CIties website.