On 17 and 18 January 2019, the 7th meeting of the Sustainable Use of Land and Nature-Based Solutions Partnership took place in Bologna, Italy. The Polish Co-Coordinator recalled the process of the Action Plan development prior to the discussion at the DGUM meeting in November 2018. Subsequently, the Secretariat offered a summary of the Action implementation process. 

The new representative from the European Commission’s Directorate-General on Regional and Urban Policy, DG REGIO, introduced herself and highlighted her intention to work closely with DG REGIO’s representatives in the Circular Economy Partnership. DG REGIO also noted the upcoming Cities Forum (30-31 January 2020, Porto) should have contributions from the Partnership. 

Members went on to revisit the Action Plan and worked together to carefully plan the implementation stage for the set of nine Actions. Members were walked through the implementation plan template, and were encouraged to plan the set of activities, outcomes and planned impacts associated with each Action. The Partnership worked to develop their implementation plans through discussion workshops, and the completed plans now form the basis for the implementation stage.  

Day 2 of the Partnership meeting had the focus of bringing together the agreed implementation approaches reached during the previous day. New considerations highlighted at this stage included the potential need to streamline some Actions, to collaborate with relevant DGs of the European Commission across the implementation stage, and to consider the lasting legacy of the Partnership as part of the Urban Agenda for the EU. 

Upon closure, special thanks were extended to the Bologna team for hosting the meeting. The next meeting will be held on 10 and 11 July 2019 in Cork, Ireland.