Strengthening partnerships for sustainable regions
EU GREEN brings together nine European universities deeply connected to their communities and regions, working together towards a more sustainable and inclusive future.
In Gävle, the EU GREEN Strategic Forum & COP2 will bring together the Alliance and its regional partners for two days of reflection, dialogue and collaboration, connecting EU GREEN’s future strategic direction with new opportunities for joint action.
Join us in Gävle and help shape the next chapter of EU GREEN.
Two days, one shared vision
As EU GREEN completes its first four years, the University of Gävle will host two connected days dedicated to the future of the Alliance and its collaboration with European regions.
The Strategic Forum, on 2 December, will reflect on what EU GREEN has achieved and look ahead to the Alliance’s next phase.
On 3 December, COP2 – the second EU GREEN Conference of the Parties – will bring universities, municipalities, regions and partner organisations together to transform successful practices into new opportunities for collaboration.
Together, the Strategic Forum & COP2 connect strategy, experience and territorial cooperation to strengthen EU GREEN’s impact in its regions.
COP2: From good practice to new partnerships
How can universities and regional partners work together to address Europe’s sustainability challenges?
COP2 brings together representatives from universities, municipalities, regions and partner organisations to exchange experiences and develop new opportunities for joint action.
The day will begin with perspectives on sustainable cities and citizen participation in the climate transition, followed by examples of successful collaboration from across the EU GREEN Alliance.
But COP2 goes beyond sharing good practices.
Through a series of co-creation workshops, participants will explore how successful approaches can be adapted to different regional contexts and transformed into new partnerships, initiatives and collaboration opportunities.
The conference will conclude with the signing of a joint Charter, currently under development, aimed at strengthening the network of committed partners and supporting continued collaboration.
STRATEGIC FORUM
Wednesday, 2 December
The Strategic Forum will provide an opportunity to reflect on the Alliance’s first four years, the lessons learned and the priorities that will guide the next phase of EU GREEN.
The programme will explore EU GREEN’s future strategic direction, its Global Strategic Roadmap and the role of territorial engagement and sustainability in the development of the Alliance.
Participants will also have dedicated time to connect with colleagues, university leaders and regional partners throughbilateral meetings, while an optional Sustainable Walking Tour, organised by the Municipality of Gävle, will showcase local examples of climate adaptation and sustainability.
The day will conclude by exploring Smart Specialisation, creating a bridge between EU GREEN’s strategic priorities and the collaborative discussions of COP2.
COP 2 - CONFERENCE OF PARTIES
Thursday, 3 December
How can universities and regional partners work together to address Europe’s sustainability challenges?
COP2, the second EU GREEN Conference of the Parties, brings together representatives from universities, municipalities, regions and partner organisations to exchange experiences and develop new opportunities for joint action.
The day will begin with perspectives on sustainable cities and citizen participation in the climate transition, followed by examples of successful collaboration from across the EU GREEN Alliance.
But COP2 goes beyond sharing good practices.
Through a series of co-creation workshops, participants will explore how successful approaches can be adapted to different regional contexts and transformed into new partnerships, initiatives and collaboration opportunities.
The conference will conclude with the signing of a joint Charter, currently under development, aimed at strengthening the network of committed partners and supporting continued collaboration.
From experience to collaboration
The Strategic Forum & COP2 are built around a shared ambition: connecting the future strategy of EU GREEN with the knowledge, experience and potential of its universities and regions.
Across the two days, participants will exchange experiences, identify shared sustainability challenges, connect complementary expertise and explore how successful approaches can be adapted and developed into new partnerships and joint initiatives.
From defining our shared direction to building what comes next.
PROGRAMME
Meet, connect and experience Gävle
The Strategic Forum & COP2 are also an opportunity to s
trengthen the human connections behind our collaboration.
The social programme will give participants time to continue conversations outside the formal sessions while discovering some of Gävle’s distinctive places and Swedish winter traditions.
An informal welcome gathering will take place on 1 December. On 2 December, participants will meet beside the famous Gävle Goat before dinner at Gävle Town Hall, while the programme will conclude on 3 December with dinner and entertainment at Gävle Concert Hall.
From COP1 to COP2
COP2 builds on the conversations and connections initiated during the first EU GREEN Conference of the Parties, hosted by the University of Angers in October 2025.
COP1 brought universities, cities, regions, researchers, students and sustainability experts together to exchange experiences and strengthen university-territory cooperation.
Now, COP2 takes the next step: turning good practices into new partnerships and opportunities for joint action.