RECUP ITN Network - REinventing Culture in Urban Places

Sandyford Business District (SBD) is proud to announce its selection as a partner in the ReCUP ITN Network – REinventing Culture in Urban Places, marking our third successful participation in a European Union-funded initiative. Following the submission of the project proposal in March 2024, the URBACT IV Monitoring Committee approved the RECUP Innovation Transfer Network in the framework of the URBACT IV Programme.

Learn more about the URBACT method here

This project, running from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2026 (Programme Reference: 1709798743), has a total budget of €550.000, including €382.527,90 in ERDF funding. It builds upon the achievements of Újbuda’s UIA CUP 4 CREATIVITY initiative. By integrating culture and creativity into urban planning, the ReCUP initiative aims to transform urban spaces into vibrant, interconnected communities that drive social and economic growth.

The project, is designed to address the challenges of social isolation and fragmented communities, which were amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ReCUP ITN Network is a collaborative effort among diverse European cities. As a project partner, Sandyford Business District will contribute to the strategic integration of culture and creativity into urban development, shaping positive change both locally and internationally. This initiative further underscores SBD’s commitment to building a sustainable and vibrant community ecosystem, aligning with the EU’s goals for urban development.

Participating Partners

Lead Partner: Újbuda (Hungary)
Dubrovnik Development Agency (DURA), Croatia
Bielsko-Biala Municipality, Poland
Mancomunidad de l’Horta Nord, Spain
Amersfoort, Netherlands
Sandyford Business District (SBD), Ireland

Key Objectives of the ReCUP Project

Rebuild Connected Communities: Leverage cultural assets to create sustainable, interconnected urban environments across Europe.
Empower Local Partners: Facilitate knowledge exchange and foster collaboration between cities, enriching local expertise.
Promote Cultural Ecosystems: Utilize culture and creativity to drive economic, social, and territorial growth.
Address Post-Pandemic Challenges: Revitalize local communities and restore social connections impacted by the pandemic.
Foster Economic and Social Growth: Enhance residents’ well-being, strengthen social ties, and improve living standards through innovative cultural strategies.

Programme-Level Kick-Off Meeting – October 1st, 2024, Paris, France

Sandyford Business District’s Project Manager recently participated in the programme-level kick-off meeting held in Paris, which brought together all ITN (Innovative Transfer Network) partners alongside the URBACT Secretariat. This gathering provided an invaluable opportunity to connect with key project partners and gain deeper insights into the URBACT methodology.

URBACT is a European program dedicated to sustainable urban development, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among cities to tackle pressing urban challenges. The Reinventing Culture in Urban Places project specifically aims to transform urban spaces by integrating cultural activities, enhancing economic, social, and territorial cohesion.

URBACT’s mission is to empower cities to collaborate on innovative urban solutions that drive positive social change. Sandyford Business District is thrilled to contribute to this initiative by advancing its local project, which will foster a more resilient and sustainable community ecosystem through cultural development.

We are excited for the next steps in this transformative journey and look forward to continuing collaboration with our European partners!

Partners

Újbuda, Hungary

Local Public Authority
Dubrovnik Development Agency (DURA)

Sectorial Agency
Bielsko-Biala Municipality

Local Public Authority
Mancomunidad de l'Horta Nord

Local Public Authority
Amersfoort

Local Public Authority
Sandyford Business District

Business Support Organisation

Working Group Meetings

1st Core Network Meeting and Deep Dive Study Visit Újbuda - Budapest, Hungary.

On November 5-6, 2024, Sandyford Business District’s Project Manager participated in the 1st Core Network Meeting and Deep Dive Study Visit of the URBACT REinventing Culture in Urban Places project, held in Újbuda (Budapest XI) Budapest, Hungary. Led by Máté Ábrahám and Elisa Filippi, the event explored the dynamic intersection of creativity, art, and technology in driving cultural co-creation processes.

This inspiring gathering provided valuable insights into how URBACT principles can be integrated into the REinventing Culture in Urban Places (ReCUP) journey and tailored to our district’s unique context. It was a privilege to connect with our project partners, including Luna Polić Barović, Anne Arendsen, Andreu Garrido, Kinga Czernek, Levente Polyak, Sandra Barth-Oosting, and Anna Szemes, fostering a strong collaborative network.

A highlight of the event was a design-thinking workshop led by Rita Szerencsés, which focused on identifying local challenges, mapping stakeholder needs, and planning actionable next steps. A key takeaway was the importance of forming a dedicated URBACT Local Group to work alongside Sandyford Business District throughout this transformative project.

The journey continues with our next local workshop on December 2, where the SBD team, including Ger Corbett, Vincent Murray, and Niamh Egan, will kickstart stakeholder mapping and explore how to adapt the URBACT method to our district’s goals.