Safeguarding Critical Infrastructure through Risk-Informed Urban Development

Municipalities and regions from Southeast Europe, the South Caucasus and Germany are invited to participate in the regional learning process “Planning for Urban Resilience” and jointly develop approaches to protect critical infrastructure and strengthen urban resilience.

Municipalities are increasingly facing complex risks: climate-related extreme events, technical disruptions, growing inter-dependencies between infrastructure systems and new security challenges threaten the functioning of urban areas. Protecting critical infrastructure – energy, water, transport, communication and health – has therefore become a central task of modern local governance.

The learning process brings together municipalities from Southeast Europe, the South Caucasus and Germany to exchange practical experience, develop joint solutions and strengthen local capacities for risk-informed urban development. The focus lies on integrated planning, multi-risk governance and the development of implementable project approaches to protect and strengthen critical infrastructure.

Who is the call for participation addressed to?

• Professionals and managers from municipal administrations, municipal utilities and regional authorities
• Staff working in planning, infrastructure, disaster risk management and municipal management
• Cities, municipalities, districts and regions from Southeast Europe, the South Caucasus and Germany

Timeline and Format

• Virtual kick-off meeting: End of April 2026
• First face-to-face workshop (3 days): Beginning of June
• Duration: approx. 1 year
• Formats: on-site workshops, digital exchange modules and short expert missions (“peer visits”)

The learning process is structured in three phases:

1. risk and vulnerability analysis,
2. integrated planning and solution development, and
3. implementation readiness and financing.
4. Thematic priorities include urban systems and critical infrastructure resilience, integrated risk governance, and data, early warning and continuity management. The structured process promotes peer-to-peer learning and technical cooperation between municipalities in Europe and the partner regions.

Participation and Contact

The participation costs (accommodation and board) are covered. The conference language is English

Expression of interest deadline: 28 February 2026

Application: https://community.connective-cities.net/en/form/connective-cities-see-learning-p

Further information: Call for participation [pdf, 3 pages ]

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions:

Paulina Koschmieder – paulina.koschmieder@giz.de
Jimmy Yoedsel – jimmy.yoedsel@giz.de