Ghent and its international networks

International networks are extremely important for the City of Ghent. We collect and share knowledge about policy areas that are important to Ghent, from trade and culture to social policy, digitisation and climate. 
Thanks to these networks, we are able to include urban themes in the policy agenda and to receive resources, establish contacts and get recognition. 

All international networks

In all of these networks, the City of Ghent plays its part as a member. The work of these networks may be broad in content or focused on a single policy area. The network can be oriented towards file management, awareness-raising campaigns and/or exchange of knowledge. 

• Association Internationale des Villes Amies de la Marionnette (AVIAMA): International network aiming at promoting the local presence of puppetry. 
• Benelux Geïntegreerde Territoriale Samenwerking (BGTS): Platform for the development of structural cooperation between the Benelux countries. 
• Civitas: Network of cities for cities relating to clean, proper transport in Europe and beyond. 
• Climate Alliance to reduce greenhouse gases: Network of European cities and stakeholders dedicated to fair, nature-based, local, resource-saving and diversity-oriented climate actions. 
• Covenant of Mayors: Covenant of mayors for sustainable energy policies. 
• Divosa: Network of municipal executives in the social domain. 
• Eurocities: the most important network of large cities in Europe.
• European Ageing Network (EAN): European network whose mission it is to improve the quality of life of the elderly.   
• Euhofa: International organisation of hospitality schools.
• European Cities Marketing (ECM): Association of tourist information offices, convention agencies and city marketing organisations in Europe. 
• European Coalition of Cities Against Racism (ECCAR): European city network committed to the fight against racism, discrimination and xenophobia. 
• European Green Capital Network: Finalists of the Green Capital Award learn from each other’s good and bad examples. 
• European Network Child Friendly Cities (ENCFC): Network for officials, politicians and academics involved in child- and youth-friendly policy. 
• European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT): Promote accessible tourism and exchange good practices. 
• EUniverCities: This European network unites university cities (cities and their Higher Education Institutions) to share knowledge and experience about how cities and their universities (can) cooperate at local level. 
• European Routes of the Emperor Charles V: Network within the Council of Europe of approx. 80 cities and historical locations on the routes travelled by Emperor Charles of Habsburg. The purpose is to protect and promote the tourist, historical-cultural and economic resources of the European Routes of Charles V. 
• European Social Network (ESN): Independent network for local public services in Europe that contributes to social policy and to the improvement of practices. 
• Foresight Europe Network: Promoting (digital) Foresight as a practice in Europe, connecting foresight communities and professionals, working on foresight-projects and funding of foresight projects.  
• Global Lead City Network on Sustainable Procurement (GLCN): international city network of front-runners for a sustainable procurement policy.
• Global Parliament of Mayors (GPM): Governance body of, by and for mayors from all continents. 
• Incubator Network for Participative Democracy: An alliance under the wings of the Council of Europe that brings together city governments to promote democratic innovation. 
• International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI): ICLEI is the world's largest network of metropolises, cities and regions that help promote global sustainability through local actions. 
• International Light festivals Organisation (ILO): Community of European and worldwide lights festivals. 
• International Step By Step Association (ISSA): Learning community striving to enhance the quality and accessibility of childcare for (young) children and their families. 
• Lighting Urban Community International (LUCI): International network of cities on urban lighting, bringing together cities and public lighting professionals committed to the development of sustainable lighting. 
• Major Cities of Europe IT Users Group: Focuses on Chief Information Officers (CIOs) of small to medium-sized cities. 
• Mayors for Peace: Network of mayors who plead for peace in a world free from nuclear weapons. 
• Milan Urban Food Policy Pact: Urban food policy. 
• Open and Agile Smart Cities (OASC): Technical basis for urban innovation and interoperability. 
• Polis: network for transport innovation: Network of European cities and regions working together for innovative transport solutions. 
• ProcuraPlus: international network focusing on sustainable procurement policy for local governments.
• Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN): this network connects frontline practitioners from across Europe with one another, and with academics and policymakers, to exchange knowledge, first-hand experiences and approaches to preventing and countering violent extremism in all its forms.
• Rainbow Cities Network: Connects (European) cities that pursue an active LGBTI policy to exchange good practices and challenge each other. 
• Resource centers on Urban Agriculture and Food security (RUAF Foundation): An international network and centre of expertise on urban food systems and urban (oriented) agriculture. 
• Sharing Cities Alliance: Offers its partner cities tools, knowledge and an exchange network to put sharing economy and digital platforms in practice.
• UNESCO Creative Cities of Music: International network that gives cities the opportunity to exchange knowhow and experiences with regard to music. 
• UNESCO Creative Cities Network: International partnership between 180 cities that place creativity and cultural industries at the heart of their development plans. 
• Urbiscoop: cooperation within the Benelux Partnership, focused on knowledge sharing and cooperation between central, regional and urban governments on topics like social cohesion and energy efficiency.