Thematic clusters

Alongside the network-wide meetings and learning opportunities, there will be curated opportunities for cities to connect and support one another in smaller groups. Based on the areas of interest the cities identified in the Baseline Study we will cluster cities into 5 themed groups:
• Mobility
• Tax collection
• Land management
• Citizen engagement
• City cleanliness

These groups will come together every quarter to share learning and offer support to one another. These peer-to-peer interactions are crucial, as they build connections between cities and offer the opportunity to benefit from each other’s learnings and expertise.

Thematic clusters will meet in a structured format every quarter. They will be encouraged to reflect on the most recent network-wide learning, discuss local activities, and provide feedback and advice to one another.

Each meeting will be the opportunity to discuss in depth a city profile from the thematic angle and gather input from the other cities and experts involved. It is in this format that cities will also work on and review their progress on Local Action Plans and experimentation.

Ad-hoc experts will be introduced to the groups in order to deepen thematic knowledge and accompany them over the course of the project.

All thematic clusters will follow the same general format and calendar. Nonetheless, we expect ad-hoc experts leading the clusters to make sure each working process serves best the purpose of the group.

While cities will focus on one theme for the local activities linked to ASToN, we recognise that they are often interested across multiple areas. Cities will have the option to follow a second theme and will be invited to join sessions of interest and where they have relevant experience.