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In addition, the application of two research-based tools for urba= n sustainability management will be used in order to outline examples of co= nnectivity between research and policy-making. More specifically, the tools= to be applied are “Local Evaluation 21” and “Urban Ecosy= stem Europe”.

Local authorities have essential role in the above-described proc= esses and their participation in the project can be quite beneficial –= ; both, for improving their sustainability management and for contributing = to the project outcomes. Thus = from September 2010 to March 2011, local authoriti= es can register for participation in the integrated assessment of EU cities= ' urban environment study. The data sent by cities in the framework of this= study will be processed and reported as indicators. The cities participati= ng will be clustered and ranked according to a selection of key indicators = and a city profile of 20-25 indicators will be made available.

Informed Cities Website

At the website of the initiative the representatives of local aut= horities can find out more information about:

· Info= rmed Cities project ;

· How = to support local sustainability processes

· The = upcoming Informed Cities events

· How = to subscribe to the Informed Cities update

· How = to get involved in the Informed Cities initiative

The Informed Cities initiative is funded by the 7th Framework Pro= gram of the European Union under the name PRIMUS – Policies and Resea= rch for an Integrated Management of Urban Sustainability.

Source: ICLEI-Europe; Info= rmed Cities

= “The Informed Cities Initiative – Making Research Work for Loca= l Sustainability”

A European project, named “The Informed Cities initiative &= #8211; making research work for local sustainability” aims to enhance= the connectivity between research and policy-making in sustainable develop= ment, with a focus on tools for urban management.

Aiming at bringing together local authorities, researchers in the= field of sustainability and national supporting institutions, the project = is built around a series of face-to-face meetings. The objective is to deve= lop a greater understanding between all stakeholder groups, regarding in pa= rticular their respective needs, the language they use, and similarities an= d differences in their approaches. Therefore a series of events linking int= o and building upon each other will be held, with the participation of rese= archers and policy-makers. These events are three types: fora, roundtables,= and implementation workshops.