Pathways2Resilience took part in two major climate events in Valencia, namely the Cities Mission Conference and EURESFO 2024. These gatherings were organised as part of Valencia Cities Climate Week, which the city hosted as the European Green Capital of 2024.

The week was filled with engaging discussions, panel sessions and meetings that brought together experts, political representatives, and urban practitioners to address challenges and opportunities related to urban sustainability, climate neutrality and resilience. 

EURESFO 2024: Building Resilient and Sustainable Cities 

Like in previous years, Pathways2Resilience was one of the co-organisers, which provided a great opportunity to connect with partners, Mission projects and stakeholders alike.

The 2024 edition was arranged around four key thematic streams, each addressing critical aspects of resilience, sustainable development, and recovery: 

• Multilevel Governance and Just Transition: Focusing on the imperative of collaborative governance and equitable transitions. 

• Water Resilience and the Blue Economy: Promoting sustainable water management and economic practices within and beyond the Mediterranean region. 

• Transforming Cities and Regions: Enabling the shift towards resilient, adaptive, and climate-neutral urban areas. 
• Building Resilience in Fragile Settings: Bridging the gap between humanitarian response and post-conflict recovery to strengthen urban resilience. 

Pathways2Resilience’s participation highlighted the importance of having a collaborative approach to urban resilience. The project took part in the Marketplace, a networking space where partners answered questions and presented key concepts by Pathways2Resilience, such as the Regional Resilience Journey (RRJ). Additionally, together with NetZeroCities and MIP4Adapt, Pathways2Resilience were highlighted in a session called “Our Common Mission. Collaboration for a Resilient and Climate-Neutral Future.” The aim of this discussion was to present the interconnections, synergies as well as differences between the projects, all while showing how their work is accelerating the sustainable transition of European cities and regions. EURESFO 2024 provided a unique platform to exchange ideas on how to reinforce the role that Pathways2Resilience play in fostering sustainable and resilient regions and communities.

Read more about EURESFO 2024 here.

Cities Mission Conference: Empowering Climate-Neutral Cities 

The 2024 edition focused on the theme “Empowering Cities – the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission in Action”. It was organised by the European Commission and NetZeroCities, and highlighted the essential role of cities in climate action.

Held on June 25 and 26, the Cities Mission Conference gathered 450 participants, including mayors, city practitioners, and national and regional representatives.

Pathways2Resilience and its partners actively contributed to the discussions, sharing valuable insights on achieving climate neutrality at the local level and emphasising the importance of community-driven initiatives. 

Both events were a testament to the key roles that cities and regions are having in driving climate action and urban resilience. Pathways2Resilience will continue its active involvement in these crucial dialogues and contribute to the common journey towards a sustainable future. 

Read more about the Cities Mission Conference 2024 here.