That's a wrap on 2025!

This year, our community has expanded to over 700 citymakers spanning more than 440 cities across the globe, and we have published 30 new case studies. We gratefully acknowledge our organisational partners, whose invaluable support and collaborative spirit drive our shared mission. We warmly welcome City Net, via their Urban SDG Knowledge Platform, to our partnership programme.

 

Our priority topics this year were Climate Action, Urban Nature and Digital Democracy. Throughout the year, we published case studies and content that delved into various aspects of these themes. Notable contributions included use:position interviews with key experts including Britta Behrendt, former State Secretary for the Environment and Climate Protection in Berlin; Cecil Konijnendijk, Co-Founder of the Nature Based Solutions Institute; and Adrià Duarte, Coordinator of UCLG’s Committee on Social Inclusion, Participatory Democracy and Human Rights (CSIPDHR) and Coordinator of the Technical Secretariat of the International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (OIDP).

 

The bi-annual Digital Citymakers' Summit 2025 took place online on April 10, bringing together urban innovators from cities across the globe — including Germany, Brazil, South Africa, South Korea, the United States, Indonesia, Mexico, Turkey, Morocco, and France — to explore how local actions can generate global impact. In an increasingly interconnected world where collaboration between cities has become essential rather than simply valuable, the Summit provided a vibrant space for meaningful exchange amongst citymakers sharing ideas to shape better cities for all. Participants and speakers examined core questions at the heart of international cooperation: What are the key factors that make city-to-city collaboration work? How can urban actors effectively transform grassroots initiatives into movements with worldwide reach? The Summit once again proved to be a truly inspiring and impactful experience, made possible through the dedication of all participants, speakers, and partners who contributed to this year's success. 

 

In 2025, the critical importance of knowledge exchange and network building between local government officials, city administrators, NGOs, academics, and researchers at the international level has become increasingly evident. This heightened need stems from evolving global geopolitical tensions, the intensifying climate crisis, and the ongoing challenges of building sustainable and resilient urban systems. As we look towards the future, these collaborative efforts remain crucial in addressing complex global challenges, promoting sustainable solutions, and fostering resilience in an increasingly interconnected world.

 

Please join us(e) again in 2026 and be part of an international community striving to effect positive sustainable change!

 

Have a happy and safe holiday season.

The use team