STICHTING GLOBAL RESILIENT CITIES NETWORK

Their core work

The Global Resilient Cities Network is an Amsterdam-based NGO that helps cities worldwide build resilience to climate change through practical adaptation strategies, citizen engagement, and systems-level innovation. They act as a bridge between urban policymakers, researchers, and the private sector — translating climate science into actionable city-level tools and programs. Their work focuses on accelerating urban transitions to net-zero emissions and embedding climate adaptation into regional planning through co-development approaches with citizens and local authorities.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

All four projects started in 2021, so the timeline is compressed rather than showing a long evolution. However, the keyword shift reveals a subtle pivot: earlier emphasis was on climate services, adaptation toolboxes, and private sector engagement — practical tools and external partnerships. More recent thematic emphasis moves toward systems change, social innovation, and innovation packages — suggesting a shift from delivering tools to driving broader urban transformation. This mirrors a wider trend in the climate adaptation field, moving from technical solutions to socio-technical change.

Moving from providing climate adaptation tools toward orchestrating systemic urban transformation — expect future work to emphasize governance innovation and scaling city-level climate transitions.

How they like to work

Resilient Cities Network operates exclusively as a participant, never as coordinator — consistent with their role as a network organization that brings city-level expertise and connections into research consortia rather than leading technical research. With 100 unique consortium partners across 25 countries, they are a well-connected hub with an unusually broad network for an organization with only four projects. This makes them valuable as a partner who can mobilize city networks and ensure research reaches real urban decision-makers.

Remarkably broad network of 100 partners across 25 countries from just four projects, reflecting their role as a global city network that connects researchers with urban practitioners. Their reach spans most of Europe and likely extends to global city partners through their own membership network.

What sets them apart

What sets Resilient Cities Network apart is their direct access to city governments and urban decision-makers worldwide — they are not a research lab but a practitioner network with on-the-ground relationships. For any consortium needing to demonstrate real-world urban impact, pilot deployment in cities, or citizen engagement at scale, they bring something academic partners cannot: a ready-made network of cities willing to participate. Their combination of NGO flexibility, global city connections, and climate focus makes them a rare partner type in H2020 consortia.

Highlights from their portfolio

• NetZeroCities
  Their largest project (EUR 772K) targeting the ambitious goal of net-zero city transitions by 2030 — directly aligned with the EU Mission on Climate-Neutral Cities.
• REACHOUT
  Focuses on building city hubs as permanent infrastructure for climate adaptation, combining climate services with citizen co-development and private sector engagement.
• ARSINOE
  Addresses climate resilience through systemic solutions at regional scale, broadening their scope beyond individual cities to entire regions.