TOWNS UP INTERNATIONAL FORUM
2026 Edition: European Models, Local Solutions and European Cooperation for Small Towns
August 6, 2026 | Darabani, Romania
This year, the Small Towns Forum moves into a new stage and becomes the Towns Up International Forum. We are opening the dialogue beyond national borders, bringing together best practices, urban management models, and financing solutions from several European countries.
The event is dedicated to those with responsibilities or interests related to local development: mayors, deputy mayors, urban planners, and investment managers, alongside representatives of the Government, the European Commission, and the World Bank. The host of the meeting remains the town of Darabani — the northernmost point of Romania, located at the border of the European Union with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. Its geographical position makes the town the ideal place to launch this first international edition, focused on inspiration and European cooperation.
The forum is organized by the North Association in partnership with the North-East Regional Development Agency of Romania.
Confirmed cities
(list constantly updated)
Edinet 🇲🇩, Longford 🇮🇪, Namysłów 🇵🇱,
Ponte de Lima 🇵🇹, Beclean 🇷🇴, Darabani 🇷🇴,
Moldova Noua 🇷🇴, Sânnicolau Mare 🇷🇴
ORGANIZER
PARTNER
An event dedicated to mayors, deputy mayors,
urban planners, investment managers
from the town halls of small towns in Europe.
EVENT AGENDA
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
The moderator of the edition is the university professor Călin Hințea , Dean of the Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences at Babeș-Bolyai University (Cluj-Napoca, Romania), associate professor at Michigan State University (United States of America).
09:30 - 10:00
Arrival of participants & coffee together
10:00 - 10:30
Official opening
Cseke Attila, Minister of Development, Romania (TBC)
Dragoș Păslaru, Minister of European Projects and Investments (TBC)
Valeriu Iftime, President of the Botoșani County Council
Vasile Asandei, General Director, North-East ADR
Alin Gîrbaci, Mayor of Darabani City
Ștefan Teișanu, President of the North Association
10:30 - 12:00
Panel: Strategic Planning in Small Towns
Kövér Orsolya Mária (Secretary of State, MDLPA)
Gabriel Onaca (programme manager, DG Regio, European Commission)
Marius Cristea (senior expert at the World Bank) (TBC)
Alexandru Matei (Urban Agenda Officer, European Urban Initiative) (TBC)
Vasile Asandei, General Director, North-East ADR
Moderator: Calin Hințea
12:00 - 12:30
Snack
Light local products, let's get back to work
SECONDARY PROGRAM
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5
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17:00 - 19:00 City tour
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19:00 - 22:00 Guests' Dinner: Welcome to the North
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
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09:30 - 19:00 Towns Up International Forum
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19:00 - 22:00 Official opening of the festival: Byron concert
14:00 – 14:30 Panel: Best Practices in Small European Towns Vasco Ferraz, Mayor of Ponte de Lima (PT) (TBC) Constantin Cojocaru, Mayor of Edineț (MD) Nicolae Moldovan, Mayor of Beclean (RO) Moderator: Șerban Țigănaș, Dean, Faculty of Architecture, Cluj-Napoca
14:30 – 16:00 Parallel Workshops: Development Done Right in Small Towns
Blueprints: Heritage, Architecture, and Small-Scale Planning Moderator: Ștefan Bâlici, President, Romanian Order of Architects
Borders as Bridges: Collaboration, Funding, and Regional Synergy Moderator: Cezar Grozavu, Director, RO-UA Cooperation Office
Agriculture and Culture: Gastronomy as Sustainable Development Moderator: Eugen Pănescu, VP, Architects' Council of Europe (ACE)
Pulse of the Town: Culture, Youth, and Sport for Local Growth Moderator: András Farkas, Strategy Director, PONT Group
16:00 – 17:00 Conclusions Călin Hințea, Șerban Țigănaș, and workshop moderators
17:00 – 19:00 Tastes Without Borders Traditional food from Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine
SPECIAL EVENTS
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"Northern Encounters" Conference
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Moldovan Borș World Championship
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Northern MTB & Trail Marathon
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Car-Free Sunday
IN THE FESTIVAL
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Over 100 cultural events
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Themed visits for members of international delegations