In the 2007-2013 programming period, URBACT II serves to ensure that experience is shared among cities of EU Member States in connection with the preparation and implementation of urban development projects. The primary objective of the programme is to make policies and strategies more effective in order to achieve sustainable and integrated urban development with regard to the application of the Lisbon and Gothenburg Strategies.
What is the specific focus of the programme?
The specific objectives of the URBACT II programme is to facilitate the sharing of experience and knowledge particularly between cities on the political, management and execution level; promote good practice through the sharing of experience, guarantee the transfer of know-how; and help both political functionaries and the Managing Authorities of the operational programmes define action plans for permanent sustainable urban development.
In what way is the programme executed?
Operations serving to exchange experience in the field of urban development are executed via two main instruments, which lead to a broad flow of knowledge and experience between all parties to the URBACT II OP. These are thematic networks (TN - allow for the sharing of experience and knowledge between European cities by creating thematic networks) and working groups (WG - bring together the various partners to deal with urban issues, where the outputs are policies, recommendations and practical instruments for cities).
What are the priority axes of the programme?
The URBACT II programme is divided up into two thematic priority axes and one technical priority axis, which guarantee operation of the entire programme. The topics and sub-topics of the priority axes are as follows:
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Priority Axis 1 - Cities, engines of growth and jobs, promoting entrepreneurship, improving innovation and the knowledge economy, employment and human capital
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Priority Axis 2 - Attractive and cohesive cities, integrated development of deprived and at-risk areas, where such deprivation threatens social integration, environment issues, governance and urban planning.
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Priority Axis 3 - Technical assistance