What are the Urban Labs?

The Urban Labs are the core element of this project. These gather together cultural organisations, local authorities, cultural and creative spaces to explore complex urban challenges in collaboration with other stakeholders. Together, they commit to develop innovative solutions.

Seven organisations are responsible for leading and organising seven Urban Labs in partnership with a number of selected organisations, the so-called Handshake Partners. In total, 37 organisations in 21 European countries are part of the Urban Labs. What they all have in common is that:
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• they are already exploring new and groundbreaking methodologies of co-creation and of policy development, and
• they are ready to override hierarchical organisational structures in favour of horizontal and collaborative approaches.

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Urban Lab Themes and Partners

Changemakers and Smart Cities

Leader: The City of Lund and the cultural centre Mejeriet in Lund, Sweden.

Handshake Partners: 

• City of Giffoni, Italy
  
• City of Kiruna, Sweden
• City of Aarhus and Odense, Denmark.

Public Spaces and Commons

Leader: Northern Tzoumerka, Greece.

Handshake Partners:

• University of Nicosia, Cyprus

• Visual Sociology and Museum Studies Lab, Cyprus
  
• Timelab, Belgium
  
• Valuecraft Coop, Finland; L’Asilo, Italy.​

Communities for Urban Regeneration

Leader: AMBASADA, Romania.

Handshake Partners: 

• Foundation Novi Sad 2021 - European Cultural Capital, Serbia  
• Bakelit Multi Art Centre Foundation, Hungary
• Rijeka2020 llc, Croatia
  
• City of Leuven - Cultural and Creative Spaces Vaartopia, Belgium​
• Asociatia Timisoara Capitala Culturala Europeana2021, Romania
• Timisoara City Hall, Romania.

Experimental cultural public policies to strengthen the commons​

Leader: Hablarenarte, Spain. 
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​Handshake Partners: 

• European Alternatives, France​
• Heart of Glass, United Kingdom.

City Cooperation
​for Regional Development

Leader: Region of Skåne, Sweden
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Handshake Partners:

• Region Midt-Jylland, Denmark 
  
• Region Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

City Property, Public Property
​and Commons

Leader: Kaapeli, Finland.
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Handshake Partners: 

• Aparaaditehas, Estonia
• Urban Institute Biedriba Riga, Latvia

• FinEstBayArea Development Helsinki-Tallinn.​

Creativity and Digital Technologies
as Drivers of Change in Cities

Leader: Creative Industries Kosice (CIKE), Slovakia.
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Handshake Partners:

• Creative Industries Styria, Austria Creative Region Linz & Upper Austria, Austria
• Creativity Lab, Estonia
• Creative England, United Kingdom

• European Centre for Creative Economy, Germany.