Cyprus - Limassol
The Cypriot target case-study is Ypsonas, a municipality in the larger Limassol urban complex. Due to Cyprus’ small population the country is only classified as one region at each level of the NUTS categorisation. Ypsonas is the second largest city of the Limassol prefecture located on the south coast of Cyprus, roughly 7 kilometers west from the Limassol city centre and is inhabited by about 12,000 people. Ypsonas became an independent municipality in 2012 and contains a sizeable industrial area primarily concerned with the processing of agricultural products, while also serving as a trade centre, particularly due to its southern part being part of the United Kingdom Sovereign Base Areas. Recently, the local authority became the first municipality in Cyprus to sign a pledge with the Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) network to become a Zero Waste City.
Greece - Thessaloniki
The target Greek city is Neapoli-Sykies, part of the larger Thessaloniki metropolitan area located in the NUTS 2 region of Central Macedonia, the 2nd most populous of Greece’s regions in the North of the country. The municipality of Neapoli-Sykies became an independent administrative entity in 2011 and is inhabited by roughly 90,000 people. The city is an important historical and cultural centre for the area with a number of festivals held yearly in the late summer. Although the municipality has limited experience with Participatory Budgeting, the local authority has a long history of designing and implementing participatory programmes and schemes focusing on inclusion and integration, particularly of migrants and refugees.
Ireland - Sligo
The target town is Sligo, a coastal seaport and the urban centre of County Sligo. Located within the NUTS 2 region of Northern and Western Ireland and with a population of approximately 20,000, the town is the second largest urban centre in the West of Ireland after Galway. Sligo is a historic, cultural and economic centre of regional importance. It has a high level of civil society activity and an established public participation network (PPN) of community and voluntary organisations, which aims to empower and assist groups to participate in local decision-making. The Northern and Western Regional Assembly has recently published its first regional development strategy including city-led metropolitan plans with a strong focus on smart growth and community engagement. Sligo will be an important beneficiary.
Netherlands - Rotterdam
The target case city is Rotterdam, which is located within the NUTS 2 region of South Holland. South Holland is the most populous region within the Netherlands, and also one of the most densely populated regions in Europe. With a population of around 1 million, Rotterdam is the second most populous in the Netherlands. The city has developed as an important sea transportation hub, possessing the busiest port in Europe. The city has some experience in PB in local initiative through Citylab, and is planning to develop PB in peripheral areas. It is also the Managing authority of an EU Cohesion Policy Operational Programme.
Poland - Wałbrzych
Wałbrzych is located in the NUTS 2 region of Dolnośląskie, South West of Poland. The city is 30kms from the Czech border and has a population of 110,000, making it the second largest within Lower Silesia, and the 33rd largest in Poland. The city was formerly a major coal mining and industrial centre. The city has extensive experience in local development projects and citizen engagement; and is actively involved in EU Cohesion Policy through an urban development strategy implemented through an Integrated Territorial Investment (ITI) mechanism. It is regarded by DG REGIO as a leading ITI in Europe and is the only one in Poland with full delegation of responsibilities.
Romania - Cluj-Napoca
The case study city of Cluj-Napoca is located in the Romanian NUTS 2 region of Nord-Vest. The population of the city is approximately 325,000, making it only marginally smaller than the 2nd largest city in Romania – Timisoara. The city is home to a large Hungarian population (approximately 50,000). Cluj-Napoca is also a popular university town, home to Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB), the largest in Romania by students. The city has significant experience in local development policies and in PB. A more integrated approach is planned with support from DEMOTEC.
United Kingdom - Fife
The case study will be Fife, located in the NUTS 2 region of Eastern Scotland. Fife lies on the eastern – North Sea coast of Scotland, and has a population of around 370,000, or around 7% of Scotland’s population. Fife is very close to the capital city, Edinburgh. Traditionally, the Fife economy was focused on coal mining. However, the mines have now closed and the economy has diversified. Fife council has experience in implementing PB initiatives and are keen to pilot test new approaches in small towns (Glenrothes, Dumfermline, Kirkcaldy) and scale these up as part of the H2020 project through town-based PB initiatives.