Urbact
Functioning of the programme
URBACT II is an exchange platform used to set up thematic networks and working groups (“projects") – each project is essentially composed of cities, but local authorities, universities and research centres can also get involved. The aim is to:
- Learn from the exchanges between URBACT partners who share experiences and good practice, draw conclusions and build on them using a thematic approach and expertise;
- Disseminate and transfer good practice and lessons learned from exchanges to all European cities;
- Assist city policy-makers, practitioners and managers of operational programmes to define local action plans with direct impact on local urban development practices and policies.
To increase the local impact and exemplary nature of exchanges, each project partner has to develop a local action plan, developed with the help of a local support group. Thematic poles are set up to facilitate discussion and knowledge-sharing activities among the different thematic networks and working groups. To enable better communication between URBACT and local bodies, national dissemination points are established in various Member States.
