The city of Torino, alongside local partners, the European Commission and NetZeroCities, are making the final preparations before the EU Cities Mission conference in May. With a large programme, many site visits, and collaboration and networking opportunities planned, their hard work aims to let guest cities focus entirely on their climate priorities.
Torino's path to climate neutrality is "collective and open," while the city wants to be "an example at the European level," says its mayor, Stefano Lo Russo.
In less than a month, Torino will play precisely that role as hundreds of guests representing dozens of cities will arrive under for the EU Cities Mission's annual conference and two and a half days of collaboration and exploration, supported by NetZeroCities' experts.
Torino on 'a path of profound change' – Read our Q&A with Mayor Stefano Lo Russo
The conference orchestra
The delivery of a large conference is the hard work of many hands.
Besides the European Commission and partners from NetZeroCities (including ICLEI, LGI and Climate KIC), many local counterparts have given their time and resources generously to deliver a smooth-running event that will allow cities to make the most of their time together.
This includes, of course, the city of Torino itself, and participants will be excited to learn more about plans to see the city's actions for themselves. Fourteen 'city dives' are planned for the first afternoon that will take guests to sites where Torino is addressing issues that affect all cities – urban regeneration, energy, housing, mobility, and more.
© OGR Tech 02 Luigi de Palma for OGR Torino
OGR Torino – industrial leader to tech and culture champion
© OGR Torino CorteEst Luigi De Palma for OGR Torino
As a facility for building and repairing trains, the conference venue at OGR Torino complex and its 35,000 square metre H-shaped building was once the industrial hub of Torino, pre-dating the manufacture of the Fiat motorcar.
Built in the late 19th century, by the 1990s it was slated for demolition but, following an extensive renovation from 2013, it has been reclaimed and was reintroduced as a cultural and innovation centre that is "dedicated to cultural and artistic, technological and entrepreneurial experimentation."
In addition to supporting 130 start-ups per year and 16 innovation programmes and welcoming hundreds of artists and musicians, food is also a core part of OGR's identity. It houses several lounges and bars and offers fine dining that "showcases Campanian flavours with subtle nods to Piedmontese tradition restaurant."!
Partners delivering a unique local experience
Politecnico di Torino – the city's technical university and one of the top in Europe for education and research – plays an important local role as a platform for innovation and lifelong learning, hosting almost 40,000 students and staff.
And on the site of the university is the Cottino Social Impact Campus, another key conference partner and a dedicated campus for training and research.
Founded in 2019 by the Fondazione Cottino, a philanthropic foundation, it supports public, private and third sector organisations to integrate social impact into business and governance.
© OGR Torino Binario
Programme
The Cities Mission conference recreates and condenses what makes the Mission a unique and powerful opportunity for cities. With cities' experience and needs at the heart of the event, they will learn from and network with peers through an expert-led programme focused on:
- Financing climate projects
- Strengthening partnerships across all levels of governance
- Speeding up implementation
- Drawing more insights from the impacts of the Mission
Attendance is by invitation only and guests have until 6 May to register. Would you like to join remotely? Register your interest to participate online here!
The 2026 Cities Mission conference takes place on 27–29 May 2026 and is organised by the European Commission, NetZeroCities and Città di Torino, in partnership with OGR Torino, Cottino Social Impact Campus, and Politecnico di Torino.
