Training on collaborative local governance for just sustainability transitions

Local governments are well-positioned to connect with communities and drive equitable sustainability transitions. They are the closest to on-the-ground realities and are in charge of many pragmatic solutions to their residents’ needs. However, as the scope of local government responsibility expands, the same needs to happen with their capacity and knowledge. In response, ICLEI Europe led a training on collaborative local governance for just sustainability transitions through the Communities4LocalGreenDeals project. 

From September 30 – October 3, 2024, around 25 European local government staff members, along with members of the ECOLISE and the European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA) networks, took part in the training. Interwoven with the European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns in Aalborg, Denmark, participants had a rich variety of learning experiences. Through high-level plenaries, panel discussions, interactive workshops, debriefing sessions and a site visit, participants honed in on topics related to equitable sustainability transitions. These include, for example: inclusive local food systems, youth empowerment, multi-level governance, citizen co-creation and participation, inclusive digital tools, collaboration with community-led initiatives and beyond. In the following weeks, each participant will also receive a practical toolkit with resources for local governments to collaborate with their communities towards just transitions. 

Despite coming from over 13 different countries, the group affirmed their common challenges and motivations in creating more sustainable and equitable cities. For example, reaching beyond the bubble of supportive and/or accessible citizens and stakeholders was seen as a persistent problem. However, everyone agreed that centring climate action on care and fostering local solution ownership were good ways to reach people in vulnerable situations. 

Looking forward, many more similar trainings are needed to support local governments as they act with their communities at the front-lines of equitable European Green Deal implementation.