Enrolling 11 cities, becoming a network
What are the first steps in setting up the network?
Two important first steps are enrolling the cities around the set vision with an open call for cities to participate in the network, then defining what good looks like and setting indicators to know if objectives are reached.
Having articulated a clear vision, the first step to creating the network is to enrol cities compelled by this vision. A formal process like launching an open call is one way to get there. It also means that throughout the project, the network comprises cities that “signed up” to the exercise and were committed to it.
Our approach and methods
- A call for cities: Design a call describing clearly the offer of the network (including timeline, different work packages), as well as what is requested of participat¬ing cities (expected local and transnational activities). It should clearly lay out the vision for the network, and approaches to urban development and city-to-city cooperation.
- Timeline of the call: Set clear steps to the process:
- Call launch
- Initial notice of interest from cities
- An opportunity for cities to request clarifications and ask questions
- Bid submission
- Announcement of the results
- Selection panel and criteria: Identify a selection panel and define clear selection criteria for city selection e.g.
- Presentation of project leadership, interest and expectations from the network
- Presentation of the selected challenge, relevance and expected impact
- Identification of relevant stakeholders and collaborators for local action
- Mobilisable resources and team description, and credibility of the city offer
- Motivation and drive
- Final decision and letting the cities know the out-come: Decide e.g.
- How many cities in total, and cities per country?
- What city profile (e.g. size, digital readiness, capital cities and/or secondary cities)? And what mix of these profiles?
- What challenges are the cities bringing into the network? What are the similarities and differences among them?
Lessons learnt from ASToN (2019-2022):
• Adapt the process based on context and available resources. While in URBACT cities would apply to a call as a group for the creation of a new network, our open call asked cities to apply individually. Group applications in URBACT are possible because of the wide-spread recognition of the programme among European cities, and the resources these cities have to get involved in what could be a heavy workload for an African city. The new nature of the ASToN initiative and limited resources to get involved in a similar prior workload made individual applications a more attainable goal.
• Consider the mix of participating cities, the cohort they form and the opportunities it creates for collective learning. It might be important to consider how the participating cities together bring or do not bring a mix of languages, geographical areas, types of cities, digital readiness to e.g. encourage peer learning or avoid regional clustering. Similarly, consider what challenges the cities are bringing and the opportunities for collective learning.
