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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Aug 28

The mission is another milestone in our longstanding support to Mayor Imamoglu:

eurocities.eu/latest/mayor...

Mayors voice support for Ekrem İmamoğlu - Eurocities

The following statement in support of Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul, translated into English, was originally prepared by the city of Paris on the initiative of Mayor Anne Hidalgo: We, European may...

eurocities.eu

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Aug 28

The mission was initiated by the Eurocities President, the Mayor of Ghent, who could unfortunately not join us because of his sick leave, but who has made democracy one of his key priorities for his presidency, fully aligned with our Vice-President, the Mayor of Barcelona.

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Aug 28

Beyond supporting a member of our network and a good friend, this delegation is showing our commitment to defend democracy and the rule of law.

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Aug 28

The first Eurocities mission after the summer break brings a delegation of Mayors from Athens, Barcelona, Budapest, Sofia, Timisoara, Utrecht and Zagreb to Istanbul to support the illegally arrested Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.

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Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu · Apr 29

Freedom of science and research is one of Europe's great strengths.

It’s how excellence and innovation thrive.

We’ll make proposals to help scientists and researchers ‘Choose Europe’.

The best and brightest from around the world.
 
To make Europe the home of innovation again.

→ europa.eu/!JFF7jm

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Jul 10

Together with the new CSI Chair Maria J Arche, our ambition is to encourage and support more European cities to develop these collaborations that enable evidence-based policy-making.

www.london.ac.uk/london-resea...

The Rise of European City-Science

Ben Rogers and Aiysha Qureshi describe a growing trend across Europe for closer research-policy collaboration

www.london.ac.uk

André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Jul 10

At Eurocities, we believe in the potential of these collaborations. That’s why we have decided to “adopt” the City Science Initiative launched a decade ago by the City of Amsterdam under the leadership of Caroline Nevejan.

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Jul 10

Very interesting paper by Ben Rogers and Aiysha Qureshi analysing how city leaders and academics develop strategic collaborations that go beyond conventional models of “knowledge exchange” to the co-production of knowledge and policy innovation.

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Jul 10

A small book (in French) that gives hope in times where democracy is heavily under threat and where we need to find new ways of involving citizens into policy making at the local, national and European level.

editionsdelaube.fr/catalogue_de...

Les villes, nouvelles fabriques démocratiques ?

À la suite d’un mandat qui voit un nombre record de démission chez les conseillers municipaux, les élections municipales de mars 2026 s’annoncent tendues. Comment retourner la situation et redonner en...

editionsdelaube.fr

André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Jul 10

The inspiring examples are clustered around three different chapters concerning elections, participation and deliberation.

Les villes, nouvelles fabriques démocratiques ?

À la suite d’un mandat qui voit un nombre record de démission chez les conseillers municipaux, les élections municipales de mars 2026 s’annoncent tendues. Comment retourner la situation et redonner en...

editionsdelaube.fr

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Jul 10

As we say at Eurocities, a better Europe starts in cities. A more democratic Europe starts in cities.
In their recent publication, Dorian Dreuil and Marinette Valiergue, associate researchers at Fondation Jean-Jaurès, provide many examples of democratic innovations spread in cities.

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Jul 4

You will join a dynamic and international team where we trust in people, value constructive exchanges and collaborative work. We help people thrive in a friendly, open and healthy environment while promoting a work/life balance.

André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Jul 4

Managed by our Policy Director Louise Coffineau, you will co-lead our amazing Climate and Environment Team in a tandem with our second co-Head Eugenia Mansutti and with the support of senior managers. As member of our Extended Strategy Team, you will contribute to the leadership of our organisation.

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Jul 4

Then, you should consider applying to become Eurocities’ co-Head of Climate and Environment.

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Jul 4

Do you want to work with local actors and experts from all over Europe and beyond to favour knowledge exchange, design innovative and participatory solutions and influence European policies that empower cities and improve quality of life?

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Jul 4

Do you want to to contribute to healthy environment in European cities that are homes for the vast majority of European citizens?

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Jul 4

Do you want to build on your experience, expertise and skills to support these mayors and their team in developing and implementing ambitious strategies to reach climate neutrality and adapt to climate change?

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Jul 4

According to the 2025 Eurocities Pulse Mayors Survey, climate action remains by far the highest priority for European mayors (lnkd.in/e85bGFNY).

eurocities.eu/head-of-clim...

Head of Climate & Environment - Eurocities

Eurocities, the network of major European cities, is seeking an experienced and dynamic colleague to lead our climate and environment projects as the co-Head of Climate & Environment.

eurocities.eu

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Jun 4

Hurry up and join us at the Eurocities Annual Conference in Braga!

Can’t wait to meet our members for inspiring and impactful discussions!

Thanks in advance to Mayor Ricardo Rio and his team for hosting us!

eurocities.idloom.events/Eurocities_A...

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Jun 2

While there might be a need for simplification in certain areas, we shouldn’t weaken the existing legislations and further accelerate the ecological transition.
To achieve these ambitious objectives, a strong alliance with regular strategic discussions and direct funding is necessary.

André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Jun 2

They need to speed up the energy transition to structurally reduce energy costs and become less dependent upon other continents.
And they need to support companies to increase their competitiveness by becoming climate neutral and developing circular economy.

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Jun 2

The European Commission and Mayors together, need to ensure that citizens have access to clean air and water, to healthy food, to zero-emission mobility solutions and green spaces full of biodiversity.
They need to protect them from the consequences of climate change.

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Jun 2

This was the aim of the high-level meeting last Wednesday between Commissioners @teresaribera.ec.europa.eu, @jessikaroswall.ec.europa.eu and a @eurocities.bsky.social delegation led by @mathiasdeclercq.bsky.social and including the Mayors of Utrecht and Turku as well as the Deputy Mayor of Tallinn.

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · Jun 2

While we face a strong backlash, it is crucial to create a strategic alliance between the @ec.europa.eu and European Mayors to support an ambitious policy for climate and environment.

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · May 28

This contribution is one of the examples of how Eurocities strengthens its cooperation with academic institutions and think tanks to position our network as a thought leader.

You can download the whole report here:
www.ispionline.it/en/publicati...

Lonely in the Crowd: Plugged or Remote? | ISPI

Leggi l'articolo Lonely in the Crowd: Plugged or Remote? sul sito dell'ISPI.

www.ispionline.it

André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · May 28

Thanks to our colleague Anna Iafisco for her important input to this chapter.

Lonely in the Crowd: Plugged or Remote? | ISPI

Leggi l'articolo Lonely in the Crowd: Plugged or Remote? sul sito dell'ISPI.

www.ispionline.it

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · May 28

In the chapter I have written with my colleague Pietro Reviglio, we analyse to what extent and under which conditions the transformation of office spaces into housing may contribute to tackle the affordable housing crisis.

Lonely in the Crowd: Plugged or Remote? | ISPI

Leggi l'articolo Lonely in the Crowd: Plugged or Remote? sul sito dell'ISPI.

www.ispionline.it

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · May 28

It was great to contribute to the recent ISPI - Istituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale Report “Global Cities and the Challenge of Hybrid Work” coordinated by Tobia Zevi, Deputy Mayor of Rome.

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André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · May 24

We also enjoyed discovering such a dynamic city that is transforming under the leadership of Mayor Hanna Zadanowskz and her team. I am already looking forward to come back!

André Sobczak 🇪🇺 @andresobczak.bsky.social · May 24

This year again, Eurocities has been an active partner of the Urban Future Conference.

Together with my colleagues, we were delighted to engage with inspiring city leaders from all over Europe, to make new connections and to meet good friends!

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