B40network

29/01/2026

5th B40 Balkan Cities Network Summit | Zagreb 🇭🇷
From 25–27 January 2026, mayors and local leaders from across the Balkans and Europe gathered in Zagreb for the 5th B40 Balkan Cities Network Summit.
The B40 Presidency has been transferred from Sofia Mayor Terziev to Zagreb Mayor Tomašević.
The Summit focused on shaping the future of cities through:
🌱 Green transition
🏙️ Resilient & smart cities
⚡ Climate action & energy transformation
💡 Digital innovation
🎭 Culture, creative industries & tourism
🤝 A dedicated Democracy Panel, held with the participation of Eurocities member cities, provided a platform for sharing experiences and best practices on democratic participation at the local level.
📌 In addition, the B40 Executive Committee Meeting convened during the Summit, bringing together mayors from across the region to guide the Network’s strategic direction.
Stronger cities. Stronger cooperation. Shared futures. 🌍

https://b40network.org/v2/5th-b40-balkan-cities-network-summit-held-in-zagreb/

SustainableCities UrbanFuture BalkanCities

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29/01/2026

12/12/2025

📅 25–27 January 2026
📍 Zagreb, Croatia

The 5th B40 Summit is bringing together mayors, local government leaders, and experts from across the Balkans and Europe for a powerful regional gathering. 🌍🤝
✨ Summit Highlights
🌱 Green Transition & Sustainability
🎭 Cultural & Tourism Cooperation
🗳️ Democracy & Good Governance
🤝 Regional Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing
The program will feature:
🏛️ B40 General Assembly
🧭 Executive Committee Meeting
🤝 High-level bilateral meetings among city leaders
🔷 Local Democracy Panel

In partnership with Eurocities, this panel will welcome mayors from major European cities, focusing on protecting and defending local democracy. 🛡️🏙️
With its forward-looking agenda, the Zagreb Summit aims to create concrete, collaborative, and future-oriented outcomes for more sustainable, resilient, and democratic Balkan cities. 🚀🌿

04/09/2025

🌍 In İzmir, where culture met innovation, B40 cities took a stand for a brighter future.

Between 3 – 5 September 2025, mayors and representatives from the member cities, gathered at the B40 Local Economic and Cultural Cooperation Summit in İzmir, within the framework of the 94th İzmir International Fair.

This year’s theme, “Brain Circulation, Digital Nomads, and the Future of Urban Innovation,” explored how cities could transform the challenges of brain drain into opportunities for collaboration, creativity, and growth. ✨

From democratic culture to digital mobility, from cultural diplomacy to mission-driven governance, the Summit highlighted how urban innovation could strengthen solidarity and resilience across borders.

With this summit, B40 cities wrote a story of solidarity: a future powered by the free flow of talent, imagination, and democratic values.

Guided by the vision of our Founder President Ekrem İmamoğlu, B40 events are moving forward with full momentum.

02/09/2025

🌍 In the city where B40 was born, a historic stand for democracy!

On August 27–28, 2025, mayors from Eurocities and the B40 Balkan Cities Network came to Istanbul to show solidarity with its elected Mayor and B40’s Founding President, Ekrem İmamoğlu. ✊🇪🇺🇹🇷

📍 Beyoğlu: The delegation joined citizens at a rally, amplifying the call for democracy. 🗳️
📍 Saraçhane: Eurocities presented İmamoğlu with the Special Democracy Award, received on his behalf by Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu. 🏆✨
📍 Silivri: Mayors held banners reading “Free İmamoğlu”, turning their visit into a powerful symbol of freedom and solidarity. 🕊️✊

👏 Among the delegation were Barcelona’s Mayor Jaume Collboni, Sofia’s Mayor and current B40 President Vasil Terziev, Athen’s Mayor Haris Doukas, Zagreb’s Mayor Tomislav Tomašević, Utrecht’s Mayor Sharon Dijksma, Timișoara’s Mayor Dominic Fritz, Budapest’s Mayor Gergely Karácsony, Madrid’s International Relations Director José Francisco Herrera Antonaya, and Eurocities Secretary General André Sobczak. Together, they transformed Istanbul into the crossroads of freedom, democracy, and intercity solidarity.

✨ In the very place where B40 was founded, city diplomacy once again made history: democracy rises as a shared value, uniting the Balkans and Europe.

11/07/2025

🌍 From June 22–25, Sofia hosted the B40 Working Group Meetings, bringing together 32 delegates from 13 cities and 2 national associations across the Balkans! 🇧🇬🇹🇷🇲🇪🇦🇱🇧🇦

🤝 Four thematic groups—Local Climate Action, Smart Cities and Digital Transformation, Local Democracy and Migration, Local Economic and Cultural Cooperation—met to exchange ideas, align goals, and build a stronger regional future.

🚒 A standout moment? Visiting Sofia’s Volunteer Training Center in Pancharevo to witness real-time emergency response innovation! 🔥🌍

👏 Thanks to Sofia’s leadership and the dedication of all participants, the spirit of regional solidarity is stronger than ever. B40 cities are moving forward—together. 💡🌱🏙️

27/02/2025

27/02/2025

27/02/2025

The B40 Balkan Cities Network held its 4th summit in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, between February 23-25, 2025, providing a platform where significant ideas regarding the shared future of cities in the Balkans were discussed.

As part of the summit, the B40 Presidency was officially transferred from Tirana to Sofia through a symbolic ceremony attended by Mayor of Istanbul and B40 Founding President Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Sofia Mr. Vassil Terziev and Deputy Mayor of Tirana Ms. Keti Luarasi. This transition once again highlighted the dynamic structure of the B40 network and the strong spirit of cooperation among Balkan cities. Upon assuming the presidency, the Mayor of Sofia emphasized the importance of regional cooperation for the future.

The summit was held under the theme "The Future of the Balkans: Innovation, Green Transition, Cooperation, and Growth." Mayors and representatives of member cities engaged in discussions on key topics such as climate change mitigation, the development of transportation infrastructure, and the strengthening of local governance. At the end of the Summit, the B40 Sofia Declaration, emphasizing the importance of democracy, justice, and human dignity, was signed by the participating mayors.

The B40 Sofia Summit marked an important step toward enhancing solidarity among cities in the region and developing joint projects and policy proposals. During Sofia's presidency, the network aims to foster stronger ties between Balkan cities and implement concrete collaborations.

25/02/2025

05/02/2025

🌍 Save the Date: B40 Balkan Cities Network Sofia Summit!

From February 23-25, 2025, the heart of the Balkans will beat in Sofia, Bulgaria, where city leaders, experts, and policymakers will come together to discuss Innovation, Green Transition, Cooperation, and Growth.

🔹 What’s on the agenda?
✅ Inspiring discussions on the future of our cities
✅ Best practices for sustainable development
✅ Urgent action against climate change 🌱🌍

📅 Preliminary Schedule
📍 Day 1 (Feb 23): Arrival & Informal Networking Dinner
📍 Day 2 (Feb 24): Summit & General Assembly Meeting (panel discussions, parallel sessions)
📍 Day 3 (Feb 25): Panels & Closing Remarks

Let’s build a more innovative, cooperative, and greener Balkans—together! 🌱🌆
Stay tuned for more updates! 🚀