Future-proof local governance

Setting up long-term local partnerships & trying out new participatory processes to transform local ecosystems.

what are the hubs ?

We, at Energy Cities, are driven by a desire to strengthen the role and skills of local governments. The hubs are the community spaces that help us achieving our target impacts and goals by:

  • activating local leaders to deliver living spaces that are accessible to everyone
  • empowering local communities to decide on their own future
  • inspiring a learning community of cities engaged in future proofing their economies

join the hubs !

Our members are diverse cities and local organisations.
Hubs membership is totally free!

There are no conditions to join other than the ambition and the commitment to share experiences.

Register here

Hub coordinators

Julien Joubert
Julien Joubert
Project Management

About the hub

Are you wondering if your municipal governance is fit for delivering climate neutrality? Are you looking to advance systemic change in your municipality’s governance and to set up long-lasting structures that deliver your city’s climate strategy? Would you like to take budgetary decisions that account for your planned actions’ climate impact?  Then the Future-proof local governance Hub is for you!

By presenting alternatives and new narratives, we will inspire cities to rethink local social and economic models based on local resource regeneration, while ensuring societal solidarity and equity.

Discover our learning offer!

Upcoming events All events

28 Apr - 29 Apr

Workshop

Guimaraes, Portugal

A green transition for all: how to empower participatory governance for future-proof cities

Would you like to future-proof local governance to deliver stronger, more resilient climate strategies in your city? In the context of the SPARKLE learning programme, […]

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News
Europe needs its cities if it wants to save democracy

Europe needs its cities if it wants to save democracy

Why the EU's sidelining of cities dangerously undermines its fight against democratic backsliding

Local democracy
Local governance

09/12/2025

Democracy is increasingly under threat in Europe, and the EU is struggling to respond. If they want to mount an effective defence of the rule of law, they must stop sidelining local governments and urgently focus on empowering cities.
News
Cities’ involvement in the EU’s Agenda for Cities should not be optional

Cities’ involvement in the EU’s Agenda for Cities should not be optional

The Agenda sets the direction forward but leaves it up to Member States to involve cities – here’s how to improve it.

Urban planning & Vision
European policies
Climate neutrality
Local governments
Climate adaptation
Local governance
Fossil-free cities
Community energy
Food systems
Fair economies

04/12/2025

A new policy Agenda for cities has been published by the European Commission, but without mandatory regional chapters and territorial approach in the next EU budget it will remain a dead letter.
News
Meet Guimarães, the host of Energy Cities Annual Forum 2026

Meet Guimarães, the host of Energy Cities Annual Forum 2026

The conference will be held under the theme 'Nurturing the roots'

Local governance
Fossil-free cities
Community energy
Food systems
Fair economies

17/11/2025

Awarded European Green Capital 2026, the city has shown its commitment to achieving continuous improvement regarding all sustainable challenges and developments.
Advocacy
Making the next EU Budget work for cities and regions

Making the next EU Budget work for cities and regions

The Local Alliance's 10-Point Action Plan

European policies
Funding
Local governance
Fossil-free cities
Community energy
Food systems
Fair economies

14/11/2025

The Local Alliance presents a 10 point action plan to ensure the EU budget delivers tangible results for people in every territory across Europe.
Interviews
Bad landlords and vacant homes: how Utrecht is tackling the housing crisis

Bad landlords and vacant homes: how Utrecht is tackling the housing crisis

Interview with Dennis de Vries, Alderman at City of Utrecht

Housing
Fair economies HUB
Local governance
Fair economies

12/11/2025

And paradoxically, at the same time, many cities register a growing number of real estate space that is empty and unused. How can we better match housing supply with demand? And how can public administrations regain control over the housing stock?

Projects All projects

SPARKLE

SPARKLE

Sustainable Planning And Resilience Knowledge Learning Environment
SPARKLE

SPARKLE – Sustainable Planning and Resilience Knowledge Learning Environment is a pioneering programme that will develop the capacities of over 600 Local and Regional Authorities […]

CLIMABOROUGH

CLIMABOROUGH

CLIMABOROUGH

Bridging the gap between the design and implementation of urban innovations for climate change adaptation and mitigation CLIMABOROUGH is designed to field test the ClimHub, […]

Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy

Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy

The world's largest movement for local climate and energy action.
Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy

After the adoption, in 2008, of the 2020 EU Climate and Energy Package, the European Commission launched the Covenant of Mayors to endorse and support the efforts deployed by local authorities in the implementation of sustainable energy policies.

SSH CENTRE EU

SSH CENTRE EU

Social Sciences and Humanities for Climate, Energy aNd Transport Research Excellence
SSH CENTRE EU

SSH CENTRE is a Horizon Europe project representing the cross-European Centre of Research Excellence for Climate-Energy-Mobility Social Sciences & Humanities (SSH). The project will engage […]