Cities of Equality Partnership Moves a Step Closer to Action Plan in Heerenveen
Hosted by the Municipality of Heerenveen (The Netherlands), the event provided a valuable opportunity for partners to refine proposed actions, establish a shared implementation timeline, and develop a strategy for public consultation.
Strengthening the Partnership’s Vision
Bringing together representatives from cities, national authorities, European institutions, and other stakeholders, the meeting fostered collaboration and collective decision-making to advance urban equality and inclusion. Over two days, participants engaged in interactive work sessions to refine three key actions: tackling spatial segregation, mainstreaming equality in future EU funding instruments, and enhancing citizen engagement.
During the opening session, Sybrig Sytsma, Heerenveen’s Alderman for Centre Development, Sports, Well-being, and Participation, welcomed participants by highlighting the city’s strong commitment to inclusivity and citizen engagement, emphasizing Heerenveen’s proactive approach to urban equality.
“In Heerenveen, we firmly believe that our community should be actively involved in decisions that shape our lives. This isn’t just a nice idea—it’s our policy. We encourage citizen participation at every level, from small local projects to major urban developments. Our commitment to equality is embedded in our work, making sure Heerenveen is a place where everyone feels welcome. We’re grateful to be part of the Cities of Equality Partnership to learn from other cities, build new partnerships, and take meaningful steps toward more inclusive and engaged communities across Europe.”
During the discussions, partners worked to define specific activities, responsibilities, and resources needed for each action. Additionally, they outlined a strategy for the public consultation phase, exploring ways to engage key stakeholders and ensure broad input and support for the Action Plan.
Sabrina Abdi, of the French Agency for Territorial Cohesion (ANCT) and co-coordinator of the Cities of Equality Partnership alongside the Metropolitan City of Rome, emphasized the importance of linking the partnership’s work to key European policy initiatives and broadening stakeholder engagement in the implementation phase.
“As we move towards the implementation phase, it is crucial to connect our actions to the key policy initiatives being put forward by the European Commission. By doing so, we ensure that our work remains relevant and impactful. Just as importantly, we must engage a broad range of stakeholders throughout the implementation phase to maximize the reach and effectiveness of the partnership.”
The first action will focus on developing frameworks to assess spatial segregation and access to services. The second action will provide recommendations for integrating equality into future EU funding instruments. The third action will involve collecting and exchanging best practices on citizen engagement, co-governance methods, tools, and frameworks. Each action will begin with a review of existing protocols, data, and resources, facilitate knowledge exchange among local authorities and stakeholders, and contribute to policy recommendations for improved EU funding and regulations.
A highlight of the meeting was a field visit to Heerenveen’s city centre renovation project, where participants explored real-world applications of citizen engagement and accessibility initiatives. On the second day, participants attended a presentation on the “DOM method,” - a collaborative approach empowering villages and municipalities to foster ‘joie de vivre’ in an equal, structural, and effective manner - and another one on European values of inclusivity by researchers at the NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences. Both the visit and the presentations offered valuable insights into how urban equality principles can be translated into tangible projects at the local level.
Looking Ahead: Next Steps for the Cities of Equality Partnership
With the Action Plan set for finalisation by April 2025, the meeting in Heerenveen marked a pivotal step forward for the Cities of Equality Partnership. The insights and commitments developed during the discussions will now shape the next phase of work.
In early May, the Draft Action Plan will be submitted for public consultation, which will run for one month. During this period, the Urban Development Group—a forum of EU Member State representatives monitoring and coordinating the implementation of Urban Agenda partnerships—along with relevant Directorate-Generals of the European Commission, will also have the opportunity to provide feedback. The final Action Plan is expected to be completed by July, with implementation beginning in late summer.