Berlin knows a thing or two about transformation – so where better for cities to discuss and collaborate on how they can deliver their ambitious climate plans at greater scale? With colleagues from Climate KIC, Nadim Choucair from Dark Matter Laboratories ran the meeting of 48 cities and writes here about the importance of their collaboration. 

As a facilitator, one objective of any bootcamp is to subtract, take ourselves out of the equation, and give participants the space to connect and take advantage of their time together.

In January in a city of constant transformation, the scene was perfectly set at the EDGE Grand Central Berlin to provide this opportunity, which representatives from 48 cities at the Enabling City Transformation (ECT) Boot Camp fully realised over an intensive and productive two-day event on how cities can go beyond testing pilot climate activities and move toward large-scale urban transformation.

This is their goal as part of the ECT Programme, where particpating cities, announced in December 2024, will try to address systemic challenges to scaling up the implementation of their climate plans. The boot camp was a chance to kickstart their projects and join forces to maximise impact, and the practical solutions they seek are intended to be replicated by many other cities pursuing climate neutrality goals.

Facilitated by NetZeroCities as part of the EU Cities Mission, the boot camp sessions went beyond individual project development, emphasising collective learning and collaboration. The event was not just about advancing single projects but about forging connections that amplify impact across the board.

Participants worked hard to refine their strategies, align on goals, and explore shared challenges and opportunities. They also dived deeply into who the relevant stakeholders are for their projects, and the assets those actors need to operate autonomously while aligning with shared climate objectives.

Deepening the conversation and mapping the next steps

Gaining momentum on day two through open sessions, project team huddles, and planning workshops helped participants clarify their thinking, refine their approaches, and map out concrete next steps—whether for the next day, week, or month. Many topics were addressed, from the role of trust to innovative procurement and how to monitor progress, to name a few.

While this is just the beginning, the boot camp has already highlighted key insights and opportunities: 

  • Leveraging key actors and intentions: Understanding the motivations, stakeholders, and leverage points within each project is crucial for enabling action, engaging stakeholders, and fostering long-term commitment. 
  • The long game of systemic change: Time is a critical factor—both as a scarce resource and as a generator of momentum. National and European legislative frameworks also play a pivotal role in shaping the conditions for transformation. 
  • A strong value-add for peer-to-peer learning: Cities want structured spaces for knowledge exchange, best practice sharing, and collective problem-solving—both within the Enabling Cities Transformation Programme and across the broader EU Cities Mission. 
  • Self-organised city clusters: Cities and projects are naturally coalescing around shared learning, governance models, and innovation strategies, creating a foundation for deeper collaboration. 

A launchpad for lasting change 

This boot camp demonstrated the power of collaboration, structured learning, and focused action. As cities move forward with their projects, they do so with stronger networks of support, sharper insights, and renewed inspiration. This is just the start of their journey toward whole-city transformation – and we look forward to seeing the transformation that emerges. 

 

If you liked this article, take a look at more in-depth articles on our website on what Mission Cities are doing and how NetZeroCities supports them to achieve their climate goals.