The Dubrovnik Development Agency DURA, as the main partner in the Remote-IT project from the URBACT IV program, organized the second meeting of the URBACT local group on November 30th. At the meeting, project leader Nataša Mirić presented the project, planned activities, and goals to the stakeholders. The Remote-IT network of cities aims to identify new challenges facing cities related to the future of work and, accordingly, provide cities with tools to address potential issues arising from new and popular forms of work.
Photo - DURA
These forms of work are adopted as standard practices by large employers across Europe (both private and public) and create a new business culture. In addition, the rise of the phenomenon of so-called digital nomads, experts who can work remotely from any location, has created new challenges and opportunities for cities that digital nomads see as ideal places for living and remote work.
Local Group with Key Stakeholders
One of the main activities of each partner city at the local level is to form the URBACT Local Group (ULG) composed of key stakeholders who will participate collaboratively in the development of the URBACT Action Plan or the so-called IAP – a strategic document that will assess the current situation and offer guidelines.
Photo - DURA
The head of the ULG group, Luna Polić Barović, presented the methodology that the group will use in all future meetings. In the practical part of the meeting, participants collectively created a problem tree by answering questions such as: What is the current situation and what are the reasons for this situation? What problems need to be solved? What is the vision of stakeholders and potential ways to achieve that vision?
Photo - DURA
A Top Destination for Digital Nomads
The participation of key stakeholders defined the causes, problems, and consequences, as well as the goal that Dubrovnik wants to achieve – becoming a top destination for digital nomads. The meeting was attended by Jelka Tepšić (Deputy Mayor), Mark Thomas (Dubrovnik Long Stay), Nikolina Farčić (TUP d.d.), Tanja Polegubic (Digital Nomad Association Croatia), Ana Hrnić (Dubrovnik Tourist Board), Vlaho Margaretić (City Office for Tourism, Economy and the Sea), Mara Knežević (Croatian Chamber of Economy), Marija Todorovski (Dubrovnik Heritage Ltd.), Iva Svetac (Dubrovnik Sun Gardens). During the duration of the Remote-IT project, a series of ULG meetings will be held, and the Action Plan will be presented at the final one.
Photo - DURA
Project duration: June 1, 2023, – December 31, 2025
