We were thrilled to welcome you to the upcoming ESPON Seminar on “small and medium-sized cities: drivers of sustainable development and urban-rural cooperation”, which took place on the 15th and 16th of November 2023 in Cuenca, Spain! Organized in collaboration with the Spanish Presidency of the EU Council, this seminar has been a success thanks to your participation!

Dive into the insights and ideas shared during the event by exploring the PowerPoint presentations at the bottom of the page.

Review the agenda! Please find it at the bottom of the page. 

Discover the speakers of the event! Please find the biographies here: Speaker biographies Cuenca | ESPON

Event Recap: Our recent ESPON seminar successfully delved into the challenges and opportunities encountered by small and medium-sized cities across Europe. These cities play a pivotal role in fostering territorial cohesion and harmonious development in the dynamic European landscape.

During the seminar, we brought together leading organizations and researchers in Europe, offering a platform for engaging discussions, sharing insights, and exploring innovative approaches to address the challenges of territorial cohesion. See the photos of the event

We were pleased to listen to the video messages of the EU Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira and the Third Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Teresa Ribera

Participants had the chance to:

• Explore the role of small and medium-sized cities in building public policies against depopulation and promoting socio-territorial cohesion.
• Discuss the implementation of the "do no harm to EU cohesion" principle to address demographic challenges and urban-rural imbalances.
• Network around key policy issues related to innovation, economic transition, and tech transformation.
• Engage in discussions about the needs of territories to ensure equal access to public services for every citizen.
• Uncover governance prospects and identify challenges and opportunities within multilevel and multi-stakeholder governance.
• Empower every citizen by fostering sustainable growth and competitiveness, considering the importance of both young and old citizens as city change makers.

The seminar aimed to collectively craft a shared vision, outlining the vital role of these cities in creating an active, inclusive, and functional European territory.

The audience, comprised of European, regional, and local policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and experts, actively participated in insightful discussions and debates. The event not only enhanced understanding of the challenges at hand but also contributed to shaping a more cohesive, sustainable, and prosperous European future.

We appreciate your participation in this dynamic and thought-provoking event and look forward to paving the way for a more connected, resilient, and inclusive Europe through the transformative power of small and medium-sized cities. Stay tuned for more initiatives and opportunities to collaborate! #ESPON