Call for contributions: Apply by Friday 11 September 

Is your city struggling to ensure that people experiencing poverty can access the support and services they need?

Are you working to bring services closer to vulnerable residents, tackle child poverty, support older people at risk of poverty, or address other complex social challenges linked to poverty and social exclusion?

If so, we invite you to submit a real case scenario for the co-creation workshops of the Social Innovation Lab. Selected cities will present their challenge during one of three co-creation workshops on 20 October, where peers from across Europe will work together to develop fresh ideas, practical solutions and innovative approaches tailored to your local context.

We are looking for cities facing complex challenges related to:

• Bringing services closer to those in need
• Breaking cycles of poverty, with a focus on:
  • Child poverty

  • Poverty in old age

Whether your city is at an early stage of reflection, testing new approaches, or looking to overcome barriers in existing policies, we would like to hear from you.

Why apply?

🧩 Gain practical advice and new perspectives from peer cities facing similar challenges.

🤝 Exchange experiences with city practitioners from across Europe and explore innovative solutions together.

✈️ If selected, Eurocities can cover the travel, accommodation and subsistence costs for one city representative to participate in the Social Innovation Lab in Athens, in line with European Commission funding rules.

Would you like to know more? You can read the full call for applications in the link below. 

Ready to apply? You can find the application form here. Please download the document, fill in the form and send it to olivia.grenier@eurocities.eu and stefania.kulaj@eurocities.eu by Friday, 11 September 2026 (COB).