Mutual Learning event: ‘Strengthening social services in Central Eastern European cities: securing funding, improving accessibility, and fostering cooperation’ 

Background 
The mutual learning event in Zagreb (25–26 November) will focus on reforming and strengthening social services in Central and Eastern European cities, with focusing on two objectives: 

1. Securing more funding for social services: how cities can ensure greater investment in social provision, tackle underfunding, simplify administrative barriers, and involve diverse stakeholders in financing, and how city officials can effectively influence the annual city budgeting process to prioritise social spending, despite competing priorities across the municipality. 
2. Affordable and accessible social services: how to make services more visible, equitable, and easier for citizens to access (e.g., through transport, better coordination among providers, and citizen outreach). 

The event will also: 

• Provide a platform for cities to exchange best practices and co-create action plans for local challenges. 
• Open a frank discussion on the specific conditions facing Central and Eastern European cities in European cooperation – such as funding and staff shortages and fragmented governance. 
• Include site visits in Zagreb to showcase local approaches to service provision. 

As spaces for this event are limited, we kindly ask that each city registers no more than two delegates. We will contact you closer to the event if additional places become available.

Check out the programme tab for the most updated agenda. 

See you in Zagreb! 

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.