📢 Note

  • The Learning Accelerator programme is intended specifically for those of you representing cities and local governments.
  • Anyone else interested in learning more about the topic should instead apply for the Curiosity Network – a more open platform for learning and exchange. 

 

What is the BLUEPRINT Learning Accelerator?

The BLUEPRINT Learning Accelerator is a structured capacity-building and learning programme. It helps cities harness the potential of digital tools and stakeholder participation for the effective urban renovation of the built environment, anywhere from building to district scale. Building on the experiences of five existing pilots (cities and/or districts), the programme equips local governments with proven digital tools, participatory methods, and expert support to tackle challenges related to urban renovation.

Who can participate in the Accelerator Programme?

Local governments and related organisations (e.g. district or municipality), working on urban renovation projects, ideally in the planning or implementation phase.

Purpose and benefits of participating

The Accelerator Programme offers:

  • Support and mentoring for the implementation of beautiful, inclusive and sustainable urban renovation projects in line with the New European Bauhaus approach
  • Dedicated training sessions on integrated digital tools, from Digital Twins and AI decision support to Urban green space quality assessment and VR/AR methods for co-design 
  • Interactive online and in-person sessions, including funded pilot site visits, for you to exchange with other cities on shared challenges and solutions 
  • A dynamic peer learning environment where you and other practitioners can exchange experiences and spark collaboration
  • Opportunities to showcase your city’s work through EU-level visibility, helping build momentum, partnerships, and political support

Levels of engagement

You can express interest for one of two levels of engagement in the Learning Accelerator. All interested local governments can begin as Observer Cities, requiring lighter engagement and commitment. From these, 2 cities will be selected as Learning Cities, receiving tailored mentoring, training and the opportunity for a site visit to one of the five BLUEPRINT pilot demo sites.

Observer Cities (accelerator light)

As an Observer City, you will receive priority access to the project outcomes as well as online training and peer-exchange events to build capacity for participatory urban renovation: 

  • Participation in Learning Accelerator Talks and training on participatory digital tools
  • Knowledge exchange and collaboration with the pilot cities, learning cities and the broader stakeholder network
  • Curated updates about relevant project outputs, with possibilities to pilot and feedback participatory digital tools

Expected time commitment: ~10h

Engagement format: fully online

Learning Cities (tailored support)

Additionally to the benefits of the observer cities, two learning cities will receive tailored support to replicate and apply BLUEPRINT output in their local urban renovation project:

  • A tailored mentoring scheme 
  • One in-person workshop to develop action pathways with the pilot cities
  • Site visit to one of the pilot sites, based on preference- and needs-based matching 
  • Targeted training on participatory digital tools 

Expected time commitment: ~100h, travel funding available

Engagement format: online plus site visits

Preliminary timeline of the program*

* Exact timing of events to be decided in consultation with participating cities

July – Sep 26 

  • Call for Expression of Interest 

Oct 26 

  • Learning Accelerator Talk #1: Onboarding Call*

Nov 26

  • Selection of 2 Learning Cities

Feb 27

  • In-person event with 5 Pilot & 2 Learning Cities*

April 27 

  • Learning Accelerator Talk #2:*
    The NEB Toolbox: Inclusive co-creation of urban renovation projects

Summer 27 

  • Site visits

Sep 27

  • Learning Accelerator Talk #3:* The BLUEPRINT digital tools: Leveraging technology for participatory urban renovation

Sep 27 – Mar 28 

  • Training series on using the BLUEPRINT digital tools
    + mentoring programme for Learning Cities

Mar 28

  • Learning Accelerator Talk #4:* TBD in collaboration with learning cities 

Oct 28 

  • Policy Lab to transform learnings into policy recommendations

Get involved!

We invite local governments from across and beyond Europe to join the BLUEPRINT Learning Accelerator for Participatory Urban Renovation and become part of a growing movement shaping inclusive, sustainable and beautiful built environments. Registration takes less than 5 minutes 🙂

Get involved!