B40network

🌍 In the city where B40 was born, a historic stand for democracy!

On August 27–28, 2025, mayors from Eurocities and the B40 Balkan Cities Network came to Istanbul to show solidarity with its elected Mayor and B40’s Founding President, Ekrem İmamoğlu. ✊🇪🇺🇹🇷

📍 Beyoğlu: The delegation joined citizens at a rally, amplifying the call for democracy. 🗳️
📍 Saraçhane: Eurocities presented İmamoğlu with the Special Democracy Award, received on his behalf by Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu. 🏆✨
📍 Silivri: Mayors held banners reading “Free İmamoğlu”, turning their visit into a powerful symbol of freedom and solidarity. 🕊️✊

👏 Among the delegation were Barcelona’s Mayor Jaume Collboni, Sofia’s Mayor and current B40 President Vasil Terziev, Athen’s Mayor Haris Doukas, Zagreb’s Mayor Tomislav Tomašević, Utrecht’s Mayor Sharon Dijksma, Timișoara’s Mayor Dominic Fritz, Budapest’s Mayor Gergely Karácsony, Madrid’s International Relations Director José Francisco Herrera Antonaya, and Eurocities Secretary General André Sobczak. Together, they transformed Istanbul into the crossroads of freedom, democracy, and intercity solidarity.

✨ In the very place where B40 was founded, city diplomacy once again made history: democracy rises as a shared value, uniting the Balkans and Europe.

🌍 From June 22–25, Sofia hosted the B40 Working Group Meetings, bringing together 32 delegates from 13 cities and 2 national associations across the Balkans! 🇧🇬🇹🇷🇲🇪🇦🇱🇧🇦

🤝 Four thematic groups—Local Climate Action, Smart Cities and Digital Transformation, Local Democracy and Migration, Local Economic and Cultural Cooperation—met to exchange ideas, align goals, and build a stronger regional future.

🚒 A standout moment? Visiting Sofia’s Volunteer Training Center in Pancharevo to witness real-time emergency response innovation! 🔥🌍

👏 Thanks to Sofia’s leadership and the dedication of all participants, the spirit of regional solidarity is stronger than ever. B40 cities are moving forward—together. 💡🌱🏙️