In a spirit of collaboration, Lille Metropole welcomed a delegation from the Stockholm Region on 11 and 12 September 2025.

Lille Metropole has for many years been cultivating relationships with other metropolitan areas. The regular exchanges between European metropolitan authorities represented in Brussels, in which Lille Metropole plays an active role, form part of this endeavour.

Thanks to the ongoing dialogue with the Stockholm Region EU Office, an inspiring two-day visit was organised on 11 and 12 September for a high-level delegation from the City and Region of Stockholm, Kista Municipality, Castellum, and Stockholm Business Region. The programme facilitated exchanges with numerous metropolitan stakeholders, offered a platform to present our innovation, health, digital and urban-planning ecosystems, and opened discussions on potential cooperation. 

An overview of what was on the programme

1. Presentations and exchanges on :
   ✔️ the characteristics of the Lille metropolitan area, with a focus on attractiveness, innovation and our several sites of excellence;
   ✔️ our strategies on data, cyber and digital twin;
   ✔️ our challenges on urban planning related to no net land take and water management with a focus on the territorial development project the “waterkeepers” of Lille Metropole (Les Gardiennes de l’eau);
2. Several site visits:
   ✔️ Eurasanté: Lille Metropole’s health cluster who supports all players in the regional health-nutrition sector (food, ageing well, sport-health and well-being) in their research, business creation and development projects. 
   ✔️ EuraTechnologies: One of Europe’s largest startup incubators, forerunner of French Tech, welcoming 200 startups each year in 7 business verticals: PropTech, Retail/E-commerce, FinTech/InsurTech, Cybersecurity, AgTech/GreenTech, EdTech/HRtech, Industry/Robotics/SpaceTech.
   ✔️ CAMPUS CYBER Hauts-de-France Lille Métropole: who brings together private and public stakeholders to address cybersecurity issues, raising awareness, providing guidance and support, and fostering innovation, skills and talent.
   ✔️ The public spaces and nature based solutions of the Rives de la Haute Deûle eco-neighbourhood with SORELI.

These two days were a wonderful way to highlight our strong commitment to innovation and urban renewal. The exchanges of expertise on common challenges will continue on the potential fields of interest that have been identified. A promising collaboration that paves the way for exciting new projects.