In October, as part of the URBACT program, representatives of the Cities After Dark network from Braga visited Tallinn to meet with representatives of the city's nightlife sector and discuss future cooperation.

"It is unprecedented for the European Regional Development Fund to support a network related to the development of cities' nightlife. This is a significant recognition for us because Tallinn can contribute to this increasingly relevant topic for modern cities at the international level," said Tallinn's Nightime Advisor Natalie Mets. "We look forward to the next two years of the program with excitement and, without a doubt, we have much to learn from the experiences of other cities."

Cities After Dark is a network exploring the different dimensions of the action of cities on nighttime economy and governance. It aims to improve urban design and services, the attractiveness of cultural and creative industries and the quality of life for all. The project will run until the end of 2025 and will foster the adoption of integrated plans and solutions for making night-time leverage for growth, sustainability and recovery.

The delegation explored various cultural and artistic venues across Tallinn, including the Telliskivi district, the Old Town, the Estonian Contemporary Art Museum, the Põhjala Tap Room in Noblessner, the HALL culture centre, a Tiks event at Pirita TOP, an ERSO concert at the Paavli Culture Factory, and the Kultuurikatel creative and event center.

In addition to Tallinn, the project involves Braga (Portugal), Budva (Montenegro), Genoa (Italy), Malaga (Spain), Nicosia (Cyprus), Paris (France), Piraeus (Greece), Varna (Bulgaria), and Zadar (Croatia).

The next step is to establish a URBACT local group in which municipal officials working with the nightlife sector will participate alongside external experts. The next international meeting will take place in Braga from November 13 to 15.

This partnership has been funded since 2002 through the European Regional Development Fund via the European Territorial Cooperation URBACT IV program, aimed at supporting intercity cooperation and the exchange of expertise. In Tallinn the project is led by the Tallinn Department of Culture and Sports.