The second international “Future-Fit Cities Forum” has officially concluded in Moldova, bringing together around 100 development actors, including mayors from the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries, development institutions, academia, civil society organizations, and international financial institutions. Organized under the auspices of the Mayors for Economic Growth (M4EG) Initiative, the two-day forum was a joint effort by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and partners, reinforcing their commitment to fostering local economic development in the region, kindly hosted by the Moldovan partners in Chișinău.
The forum serves as a pivotal moment, both concluding the second phase of the EU-UNDP M4EG initiative and launching its ambitious third phase for 2025-2028. Since 2021, M4EG has re-built and engaged a network of over 430 municipalities across the EaP region. Nearly 50municipalities have benefitted from innovative financing for urban development, funding the green and blue energy transition in the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine as well as crucial assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons in the wake of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, but also sustainable tourism in Armenia and green and smart solutions for cities in Azerbaijan and Georgia.
“The European Union has been a prominent support of local authorities and will continue to support a more prosperous future for cities across the Eastern Partnership”, said Janis Mazeiks, EU Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova. “Through M4EG, we can build a brighter future, a future based on democracy, inclusion, and sustainable growth”.
“Over the past four years, the M4EG initiative has proven that municipalities can be dynamic agents of local change when equipped with the right innovative tools and partnerships,” said Steliana Nedera, Director, UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub. “As we embark on the third phase, we are shifting towards mission-driven local economies, ensuring that cities across the region are prepared for sustainable and inclusive growth.”
The new phase of M4EG will be rolled out around several innovative directions. Among series of intertwined urban activities, it will introduce a bold four-year Mission-Oriented Economy Programme, drawing inspiration from Mariana Mazzucato’s work, the EU’s Horizon Europe initiatives, and the M4EG Phase Two Portfolio Journey. This Programme will support up to 20 secondary cities in shaping and implementing economic transformation strategies tailored to their local context.
Additionally, the initiative will integrate a finance advisory component within the M4EG grant mechanism, enhancing local authorities’ ability to develop investment pipelines and improve finance readiness. This addition will complement the technical support for municipalities, ensuring they are well-equipped to attract diverse investments.
Launched and funded by the European Union (EU) in 2017, the Mayors for Economic Growth (M4EG) Initiative has been managed by UNDP since 2021, in close cooperation with the EU, local authorities, and a diverse range of partners.
