The process of involving and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure inclusive decision-making and sustained impact.
The URWAN project, launched on January 1, 2024, is a forward-thinking initiative co-funded by the European Union through the INTERREG Euro-Med programme. Over the course of its implementation until June 30, 2026, URWAN aims to lead the way in demonstrating innovative solutions for adapting to climate change and addressing water scarcity through a participatory, nature-based approach.
URWAN is led by ANCI Lazio, the Association of municipalities in the Lazio region of Italy. The project is structured around 4 comprehensive Work packages: WP1) Harmonize knowledge on nature base solutions (NBS); WP2 Jointly developed experimental solutions for climate change adaptation of urban areas; WP3) Co-designing processes for planning and investing in multifunctional NBSs for the urban regeneration; and WP4) the URWAN Amplification Strategy. MedCities is in charge of coordinating WP4, focusing on amplifying project results and support decision-makers in mainstreaming NBS at the governance level.
WE&B is collaboriating with MedCities in WP4 to engage External Expert Services to develop methodological tools for the URWAN results amplification strategy, which includes developing interview guidelines, designing a living lab methodology, an information exchange system, and training the needs of the pilot cities.
The service encompassing the following:
– Provide methodological tools to integrate into the URWAN amplification strategy for mainstreaming NBS.
– Develop comprehensive interview guidelines for in-depth interviews with six pilot cities (three implementing pilots and three involved in planning), ensuring they address the relevant themes and necessities identified in WP1Õs initial needs assessment.
– Create the methodology for the projectÕs three international living labs, along with a detailed methodological guideline for the organistion of the first Living Lab (LL) in Ptuj, Slovenia, in December. This methodology will establish a cohesive framework applicable to all three LLÕs planned in the program.
– Outline the implementation steps for a coordination and information exchange system with URWAN pilot municipalities
– Conduct interviews with the six pilot cities to test the guidelines and collaborate on interviews with three frontrunner cities under WP1. Analyse the results to identify barriers and opportunities for NBS implementation at both local and transnational levels.
– Develop a Preliminary Training Needs Proposal by analysing interview results to determine initial training needs for the six partner local authorities (2 sessions to the local authority itself,and up to 1 open to other stakeholders at local level). Propose both common and tailor-made training topics for the sessions based on findings.
