Current update: We would like to inform you that the upcoming dialogue event for local government associations in Cologne, originally scheduled from 7 to 9 April 2020, had to be cancelled due to the current restrictions to limit the coronavirus outbreak. We are currently checking whether this face-to-face event can be postponed later in the year and if a virtual exchange format could possibly be offered in April/May. Thank you for your understanding.

From the 7th to 9th of April 2020 the German Association of Cities will be hosting a Connective Cities Dialogue Event for local government associations (LGAs) on the topic of “Localising the SDGs” in Cologne, Germany. A first Connective Cities event for LGAs took place in July 2018 in Cologne and brought together 25 representatives from 11 local government associations. In this occasion the discussion spanned across topics such as structure, processes and financing of LGAs, representation of local government interests and influence on law-making but also thematic members’ committees and working groups and membership services for training and exchange of municipal know-how. The report of the event can be found here.

In April 2020 the exchange of experiences of LGA will be focusing on the topic of localizing the SDGs. Several LGAs have been implementing successful projects in cooperation with their member cities in this area, others are just getting started. The Connective Cities Dialogue Event in April in Cologne provides the opportunity for LGAs to exchange in detail on this topic, to learn from each other, to discuss challenges and to jointly develop new project ideas.

Further information can be found in the call for participants here. 
Representatives of local government associations interested in participating in this exchange can contact Ms Alice Balbo ( alice.balbo(at)staedtetag.de), Connective Cities Project Manager at the German Association of Cities.