Cyprus Forum Cities 2026 highlighted the growing importance of local authorities in shaping sustainable, inclusive and resilient cities. Bringing together policymakers, municipalities, academics and civil society representatives, the forum focused on the practical challenges of implementing local government reform in Cyprus.
In an interview published in Offsite.com Angeliki Kourri, Policy Officer at Oxygen for Democracy, stressed that meaningful urban transformation requires more than strategic planning. As she noted, cities need stronger institutional capacity, citizen participation and effective implementation mechanisms to translate policy into tangible improvements in everyday life.
The discussion also emphasised that modern cities must become more democratic and participatory, with local communities actively involved in decision-making processes. From sustainability and digital innovation to social inclusion and transparency, the forum underlined the need for cooperation between local authorities and civil society in building the cities of tomorrow.
Cyprus Forum Cities 2026 ultimately served as a reminder that successful reform depends not only on vision, but on the ability to turn ideas into action.