As we welcome the 2023 new year, ICLEI is pleased to welcome new members to our network as well. These new members span from the Netherlands to Finland to Hungary and we are happy to have them join our sustainable development community.

Green Metropolitan Region of Arnhem-Nijmegen (The Netherlands)

The Green Metropolitan Region of Arnhem-Nijmegen is situated at the heart of a vast metropolitan area in eastern Netherlands. Flanked by the Randstad conglomeration in the west, the Flemish Diamond to the south and the Ruhr to the east, the region has a total population of more than 750.000 inhabitants and is combining its metropolitan, economic power with sustainable and circular practices.

Harriët Tiemens, Director of the Green Metropolitan Region of Arnhem-Nijmegen and former Deputy Mayor for the City of Nijmegen, is part of the European Regional Executive Committee. The Arnhem Nijmegen City Region excels particularly in sustainable mobility/clean propulsion technology (hydrogen, electrical), smart grids and energy (storage) technologies.

The region is increasingly developing activities and innovations in the field of (sustainable) e-mobility and cycling is one of the region's policy priorities, even being awarded the European Green Capital Award 2018.

Joensuu (Finland)

Joensuu is a city and municipality in North Karelia, Finland, located on the northern shore of Lake Pyhäselkä at the mouth of the Pielinen River. Founded in 1848, it is the 12th largest city in Finland.

With roughly 76,000 inhabitants, the city has set an ambitious goal to become carbon-neutral by 2025 in order to mitigate climate change. This means that the city will only produce emissions equal or lower to the amount that can be captured in carbon sinks. The goal is to decrease emissions by 60% from 2007 to 2025. The remaining emissions will be compensated for or captured in carbon sinks, for example by planting forests or restoring mires.

“ICLEI Membership supports the climate targets and sustainability work of the city of Joensuu. As an ICLEI network member Joensuu can enhance cooperation with other cities to promote sustainable development and receive funding opportunities and international visibility”, comments Jenni Jokela, permanent secretary of the City of Joensuu.

Gerjen (Hungary)

Gerjen is a village in Tolna County, which lies in central Hungary, on the west bank of the Danube River. It shares borders with the Hungarian counties Somogy, Fejér, Bács-Kiskun, and Baranya.

With a population of less than 2000 inhabitants, several urban development housing projects are underway. The city also recently signed a contract with IBC Solar for a megawatt solar park. With a capacity of 51 MWp, the new solar park in Gerjen will produce approximately 66.400MWh of electricity per year.

Gerjen is looking forward to enhancing their sustainable settlement development through integrated solutions. As a new ICLEI Member, exchanging ideas and engaging in shared learning practices with like-minded cities across Europe will help the city make systemic change and allow Gerjen to meet its sustainability goals.

For more information on the Green Metropolitan Region of Arnhem-Nijmegen, click here.

For more information on the City of Joensuu, click here.

For more information on the City of Gerjen, click here.

To learn more about ICLEI, our Members, and how to join, click here.