Blue-green rainwater infrastructure has many applications: from amphitheatres developed as flood retention basins, to green roof terraces on car parks, to multifunctional public spaces, to biomimicry as a design and innovation strategy inspired by the inventiveness of nature. Innovative approaches must be used to tackle current challenges with resilience, and to institute different perspective on systematically managing risks.

A summary of the one-year international learning process on disaster management, in which the mid- to long-term accommodation of evacuees and the involvement of volunteers were at the centre of interest and the know-how of Philippine cities played a special role.

As part of its partnership with the German town of Opfenbach, Al Mohammara has largely establisheda primary healthcare centre, which has evolved from a simple idea into a two-storey, 1,000 square metre facility, despite economic challenges and regional tensions. It will soon become an important provider of primary healthcare in the region.

The sustainable solar projects of the municipality of Eredvi in eastern Georgia are beacons of success. In cooperation with Lithuanian companies, hundreds of families and communal facilities in settlements for internally displaced persons are supplied with electricity free of charge.

Ketevan Chelidze from "Tanadgoma", a centre for information and counselling on reproductive health, will provide valuable insights that will form the basis for further discussion. How can communities be empowered in supporting vulnerable citizens and minorities in Southeast Europe? Join the discussion!

Mining plays an important role in the economic development of many resource-rich countries. What role can cities play in promoting environmentally friendly and socially responsible mining activities as well as in the repurposing of closed mining sites? We present good practices from Zeche Zollverein, City of Essen, Germany as well as from Tkibuli and Chiatura, Georgia. Get involved!

The workshop is part of the learning process "Renewable energies at municipal level" for the South East Europe/Caucasus region. German and international experts from municipal administrations and companies, the private sector, civil society and academia working in the field of renewable energies, municipal energy planning and building management are invited.

The workshop follows on from the previous event in November 2023, at which municipal practitioners from Ukraine developed initial approaches for local solutions. The aim of the upcoming workshop is to develop own project ideas in the field of local economy, renewable energies and strategic urban development. Application deadline: 15 May 2024. Interested?