When climate risk meets cultural heritage, cities have to make choices. In this episode, we head to Guimarães to find out how one of Europe’s oldest cities is rewriting its relationship with nature. Carlos Ribeiro, President of the Landscape Lab, takes us behind the scenes of fire prevention, riverbed restoration, and a green strategy that connects city, landscape, and community — just as Guimarães steps into the spotlight as European Green Capital and host of the European Urban Resilience Forum.

Check out Guimarães' Mapa Verde (Green Map) here.

Paris is transforming into a greener, more liveable city—one street and biodiversity corridor at a time. In this episode, we sit down with Celeste Rouberol from the City of Paris about how the French capital is reimagining urban life through nature, from its ambitious Biodiversity Plan to new community-led green spaces.
Learn about Paris' role as a Lighthouse City in the UNP+ project, here.
Learn about the EU's Nature Restoration Regulation, here.

What does it mean to live on an island that may one day vanish? How can communities adapt to climate change, and what does staying – or leaving – really mean? In this episode, ICLEI Europe speaks with Dr. Catharina Greve about Neuwerk, a tiny island in northern Germany where climate change is no abstraction – storm surges, rising seas, and shifting tides define daily life. Greve introduces the RescueME project, which explores how cultural landscapes like Neuwerk can (or cannot) be preserved, and how residents are shaping their own future.

From horse-drawn carts crossing tidal flats to “serious games” – where locals and policymakers test out future scenarios – this conversation dives deep into resilience, wilderness, and the tough choices communities face when home itself is at risk.

Explore the work being done by ICLEI Europe's Resilience and Climate Adaptation team here.

Public procurement isn’t just about getting the best price – it’s about shaping the greener and fairer cities of tomorrow. In this episode, we visit ICLEI Member City Oslo to learn how the Oslo Model is tackling social dumping, raising labour standards, and making public purchasing a tool for social and environmental change.

🎙️ Hear from Kjersti Koffeld and Espen Nicolaysen on how Oslo is applying socially responsible procurement in practice – and why tracking, supplier dialogue, and political will matter.

Oslo also shares its experience in the Big Buyers Working Together initiative, where cities across Europe join forces to move markets in a greener, fairer direction.

🔗 Learn more: https://public-buyers-community.ec.europa.eu/about/big-buyers-working-together

Łódź, Poland is turning co-creation into climate action. In this episode, we speak with Aleksandra Sztuka, Deputy Director of Environment Management at the City of Łódź, who explains how the city is working with residents to green public spaces, tackle water scarcity, and rethink urban planning. It’s a fresh take on how cities can build fairer, more sustainable futures—together.

Learn more about ‘The Power of Many’ here.

The last time the EU concluded its long-term budget negotiations was in 2021. Back then, COVID-19 was in full swing and defense and European cohesion were not the topics they are today. Priorities change. The new EU budget is expected to be announced this July. So, we wanted to know - what should we expect? What changes would benefit cities and towns? ICLEI Europe’s Senior Advocacy Expert, Goksen Sahin, provided us with her insight.

Interested in learning more? Check out this position paper from The Local Alliance, which calls on EU leaders to develop a budget that is a robust and comprehensive tool for achieving a climate-neutral, just, and competitive Europe.

Sustainable mobility is key to building cities that are not only environmentally friendly but also accessible, smart, and resilient. In this episode, Sustainable Mobility Experts Andreas Piller and Elma Meskovic-Imsirovic from ICLEI Europe discuss how bold, forward-thinking decisions are reshaping the mobility landscape in European cities. They also dive into the EU's role in driving change and tackle some of the more contentious issues in urban mobility, including e-vehicles, scooters, and whether public transport should be free.

Explore the work being done by ICLEI Europe's Sustainable Mobility team here.

Is your city an ICLEI Member? Join our next Member Webinar on 10 April 2025, 11:00-12:00 on the topic of Mobility as a Right.

When was the last time you wandered through your local food market? How do the offerings at a market compare to those at a supermarket? In this episode, we explore the vital role of food systems in fostering a healthier, more sustainable city - from collaborative community projects to bridging the gap between urban and rural neighbourhoods. As a member of ICLEI Europe for more than 30 years, Freiburg, in Germany, stands as a leading example of connecting local food to communities.

This conversation features Eva Coydon, Manager and Coordinator of major projects and financing for the Freiburg & Region Food Policy Council; and Anna Bruen, Senior Expert for biodiversity, nature-based solutions, and sustainable food systems at ICLEI Europe.

To learn more about the Freiburg Food Policy Council, visit thewebsite.

Photo by Marco Pregnolato on Unsplash.