The 2025 edition of the Cities Mission Conference took place in Vilnius, marking an exciting and interesting three-day gathering of urban leaders, policymakers, innovators, and climate experts working toward the EU’s ambitious goal of 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030.
The event, hosted by Vilnius City Municipality, provided and excellent opportunity for peer learning, celebration, and collaborative action, including the awarding of the EU Mission Label to a new cohort of cities—bringing the total to now 92 Mission Cities.
Some of the Highlights included an inspiring Opening Plenary and a series of high-energy breakout sessions with topics such as innovative financing, public-private partnerships, climate-neutral mobility, inclusive transitions, and strategic governance. Thomas Osdoba, Programme Director at NetZeroCities, emphasized the importance of place-based action, urging cities to move beyond pilot programs and scale successful models.
Day two highlighted regional perspectives on the energy transition, with some further insights into finance and governance. A major highlight was also the Mission Label Ceremony, celebrating the continued progress and commitment of cities across Europe.
The final day featured critical political dialogue, with mayors and EU representatives outlining actionable strategies for achieving 2030 goals.
Participants also explored real-world applications of climate innovation during curated site visits across Vilnius, including tech hubs, sustainable mobility initiatives, and business districts.
A Milestone for ATELIER and Scalable Cities
A major milestone for the ATELIER project: The project’s coordination and advisory team officially assumed leadership of the Board of Coordinators for the Scalable Cities initiative, signing the Manifesto of Collaboration between the Secretariat and NetZeroCities.
Coming up
The conference closed with a call to action and a look ahead on a new Twinning Learning Programme call that will be launched on 3 June 2025, offering cities the opportunity to partner with Mission Cities and strengthening their path toward climate neutrality.
Author and Picture credits: ATELIER project