A so-called 'urban arena' will soon be convened online to explore governance arrangements for sustainable and just cities. The arena will bring together a wide diversity of contributors to learn from and get inspired by one another, specifically regarding how to organise for more sustainable and just cities, and how to best tackle inequality and exclusion.

Applications to join the discussion are now open here. Apply by 14 January for your chance to engage in small groups with diverse practitioners and scholars from across Europe, to benefit from each other's experiences. The discussion will use Berlin as an example: participants will hear about current initiatives in Berlin that are struggling to achieve a more sustainable and just future, and how they have overcome some of the barriers they face. Participants will contribute to overarching research on governance arrangements that support initiatives for sustainable, just cities, and will share insights into how key lessons can be translated from one city to another, and what kind of support you would need to establish more just sustainability policies and practices in your city.

Participants will be invited to join a pre-arena event on 23 February 2021 (15:00–16:30 CET), before the Urban Arena convenes on 18-19 March 2021 (10:00–12:00 and 14:00–16:00 CET on both days).

In sum, the sessions during the Urban Arena will enable participants to:

• Hear about justice oriented initiatives in Berlin, and compare them with your experiences in small working groups.
• Ask questions and exchange experiences in a small group with Berlin practitioners.
• Hear about governance arrangements that have helped just sustainability initiatives across Europe and explore how to apply these in your context together with other city makers.
• Hear what social scientists have to say about learning between cities and discuss its challenges with other city makers.
• Reflect on what kind of support could help you to learn from experiences in other cities.
• Engage in the formulation of a common call for action to diverse policy makers to help make cities more sustainable and just.

Participants will also mingle with other 'city makers and city thinkers' in a virtual lounge area, or at private booths, and optionally meet others for informal chats.

The Urban Arena event is being organised and convened by the UrbanA project, in which ICLEI Europe is a partner.

For details on the Application Process, please see the information sheet here. To apply, please click here. Applications are due by 14 January 2021.