European Universities as Motor for Interregional Cooperation

The workshop kickstarts the objective of inter-regional cross-fertilization between partner cities and regions of the Ulysseus family. It will be structured to focus on regional climate change challenges and solutions, facilitating mutual exchange and learning activities among all Ulysseus partner universities as well as their respective municipal and regional associates and stakeholders.

As the first workshop in a series of three innovation- driven territorial transformation events, it seeks to bring partners together to propose and discuss a common goal for Ulysseus 2.0, and to jointly define climate change challenges in dialogue with regional governments and key stakeholders.

What to expect

The workshop’s first part focuses on introducing Ulysseus Task 5.6 to all members and partners, along with keynote presentations on climate change challenges and sustainable city solutions. It offers insights into city-to-city collaborations in Europe and encourages local/regional representatives to share their climate change efforts. The aim is to assess the current state of climate change engagement in each Ulysseus region, identify commonalities, and differences to guide further planning.

In the afternoon session, Ulysseus staff leading Task 5.6 come together to discuss the work program, develop agendas, and plan intra-regional cooperation for Ulysseus Phase II. Building upon insights from the morning, the University of Münster will provide input on exchange formats, but the focus remains on facilitating debate for future planning. The workshop seeks brief overviews from each region’s representative on climate change challenges, solutions, strategies, and citizen engagement efforts, aiming to kickstart exchanges.

Partners are encouraged to contribute short presentations on their region’s climate initiatives. While not expecting exhaustive lists, the emphasis is on sharing strategies, projects, and plans for achieving climate neutrality, as well as discussing the potential for a “Climate City Contract” and citizen engagement strategies. Task group members can also present if city or regional representatives are unable to attend, drawing from desk research and interviews.

Agenda

9:00 - 14:00

9:00 – 12:00 Workshop: Climate Change Challenges and Solutions

Who: Ulysseus and Associated Partners

Format: Hybrid

9:00 – 9:30 Welcome and Introduction to the Workshop. Presentation Goals of Ulysseus and Work Package
9:30 – 10:00 Keynote. Climate Change and the City
10:00 – 10:15 Collaboration on Climate Change issues within the EU. Research presentation: Climate Networks
10:15 – 10:30 Coffee break
10:30 – 12:00 Climate Change Efforts in Ulysseus´ Regions. Presentations by Associated Partners and Ulysseus Staff.
12:00 – 12:30 Outlook: Future Exchanges. Individual Needs and Potential Benefits

12:30 – 14:00 Lunch break

14:00 - 19:00

14:00 – 16:00 Workshop: Roadmap and Agenda Setting

Who: Ulysseus staff only

Format: Hybrid

14:00 – 14:30 Takeaways from the Morning Session and Official Workplan. Systematizing the WP5.6 Agenda
14:30 – 15:00 Discussion. Synchronizing Expectations
15:00 – 15:45 Collaborative Formats. Idea Exchange on how to Build Bridges to Foster Systemic Territorial Transformation across Ulysseus´ Regions
15:45 – 16:00 Lessons Learned. Wrap-up and the Road ahead

16:00 – 18:00 Guided Tour

Who: Participants Present

SDG-Walk. In Search of the “Climate-Neutral City”: Tour through the City of Münster with a Focus on Münster´s Climate Change Efforts