Twinning in Action: Piloting Liveability Across the Baltic Region

Cities across the Baltic Sea Region took a major step forward in the Liveability project by exploring how the Charter for Designing The Liveable City can be piloted in local contexts. Following the kickoff event in December 2024 and the meeting in Guldborgsund in March 2025, the recent online meeting marked a shift from theory to practice for our twin cities. 

During the session, partner cities shared how they tested the Charter’s six principles, ranging from sustainability to trust and co-creation, through structured workshops. Cities like Riga brought together municipal staff and residents to rate current conditions and identify areas for improvement. 

The piloting process revealed both progress and challenges. Sustainable city management and citizen co-design were seen as strengths, while areas such as transparency, cross-department collaboration, and inclusive design were identified as needing further work. Participants emphasized the importance of training, clear internal communication, and creating space to test new approaches. 

This hands-on approach reflects the spirit of the Twinning Programme, where cities support one another through shared experiences and open dialogue. A new Guide for Charter Piloting will provide further support for cities aiming to apply the Charter more deeply. 

All materials, including the Charter and piloting formats, will be made available to the Network of Liveable Cities to ensure continuity and equal access to tools. 

Programme Manual Online

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