Based on two practical examples from Tartu, Estonia, and La Paz, Bolivia, the approximately 50 participants from 16 countries discussed the role of e-governance and the effectiveness of ICT solutions at the municipal level during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How can vulnerable groups such as older people and refugees be well reached with important information on vaccination? How can transparent, fast and trustworthy communication be designed as a central component of a successful vaccination strategy? These and other questions were discussed by representatives of municipalities and municipal associations from Germany, Israel, Colombia, Serbia and Togo.

The Lebanese city of Hazmieh will support Abasan in Palastine in all joint actions, especially with regard to youth participation in the decision-making process and the integration of GIS in municipal management processes. Good practices for improving energy efficiency are at the center of the exchange of experiences in the MENA network.

With the special focus on ‘community health and wellbeing’, the social development division fulfilled its role during the pandemic by implementing a myriad of measures under the umbrella of social services to the local community.

Corona lockdown can heighten the psychosocial problems many people are facing, for example in their family or partnership. Munich reacted flexibly and, for example, spontaneously moved the counselling of clients with children to playgrounds.

Better preparedness enables municipalities to cope better with crises like the corona pandemic. But what makes for good emergency preparedness? A Good Practice from Berlin, Germany.

Fast, competent and geared to business needs: Eager to assist local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the business development agency (WFG) for the German district of Unna has devised a wide range of services.

The BMZ has initiated the pilot project "Utility Platform for Strengthening Partnerships of Municipal Utilities Worldwide". During the pilot phase until 2023, the focus is on municipal water companies. The Utility Platform now has its own section on the Connective Cities website. There you can find out everything about the pilot project and the latest news from the four partnerships.

The event will serve as a platform for the presentation of the roadmap and timeline for the establishment of a comprehensive Connective Cities Network in SEE. During the event, the network charter will also be discussed among municipal representatives. The workshop will be attended by a large group of urban practitioners from administration, politics, business, academia and civil society in the region. Ms Stella Haun will give the keynote speech on "Mainstreaming climate resilience throughout urban development to reduce the ecological footprint of development".

We cordially invite urban practitioners from South East Europe to take part in the virtual Dialogue Event on "Sustainable Urban Energy Planning in South East Europe (SEE)" as part of the Connective Cities second learning process for this region.

The overall aim is to get to know good practice examples from municipalities with different local conditions. The focus will be on pragmatic approaches that can be applied or adapted to different local contexts. The deadline for application is 15th April 2021.

Energy management, the domestic production of renewable energy and the involvement of different stakeholders in energy efficiency programmes are the main topics. The deadline for registration is 15th April 2021.

As pioneers of change, municipalities are crucial for the implementation of the Agenda 2030. The Service Agency Communities in One World (Engagement Global) and the City of Bonn are organizing the 15th Federal Conference on Local Development Cooperation. The conference will be live-streamed from Bonn.