NALAS | Networking and Best Practice Forum on City-to-City partnerships in Brussels
From 17–20 February 2025, the Friendship Project convened implementing partners, EU institutions, and European organisations in Brussels for an engaging exchange on city-to-city partnerships. The event focused on sharing experiences and exploring the potential of inter-municipal and decentralised cooperation to strengthen existing ties between European and Mongolian cities.
In advance of the Best Practice Forum, a networking meeting was held on 17 February at the House of Municipalities, hosted by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR). This event brought together a high-level Mongolian delegation and European stakeholders active in decentralised cooperation. The primary focus was on fostering collaboration in urban development, resilience, and innovation through city-to-city partnerships.
Highlighting the vital role of local governments as the foundation of sustainable, inclusive, and participatory development, NALAS President Dusan Raicevic emphasised the significance of decentralisation in international cooperation. He noted:
- Decentralisation empowers local governments to engage directly in international partnerships, reducing reliance on central authorities.
- EU policy frameworks support decentralised governance, encouraging municipalities to play active roles in international and cross-border collaboration.
- Direct cooperation between local governments promotes meaningful exchanges and deep collaboration among diverse stakeholders within local communities.
Addressing the future of EU–Mongolian city partnerships, President Raicevic outlined four strategic focus areas:
- Establishing Institutional Partnerships
- Develop sister-city agreements to ensure long-term collaboration.
- Connect Mongolian municipalities with EU regional and thematic networks.
- Leveraging EU Funding and Technical Assistance
- Explore funding opportunities under EU instruments such as Twinning and TAIEX.
- Seek EU technical support to drive policy innovation and improve municipal services.
- Active Participation in Regional and Global Networks
- Engage in EU–Asia cooperation forums, policy roundtables, and smart city summits.
- Strengthen Mongolia’s presence in EU-funded city diplomacy initiatives.
- Building Local Capacity for International Engagement
- Invest in training programs for local officials focused on EU policies and international project management.
- Promote knowledge-sharing platforms between Mongolian and European cities.