Our monthly
PACT Newsletter
Each month, we share stories, highlights, and opportunities from across the PACT network — including events, research activities, calls and grants, Working Group news, and community achievements. We aim to publish the newsletter in the second week of each month.
JANUARY 2026
This month marks the beginning of our second year together in PACT. After the quieter holiday period, we’re returning with a carried-over and strengthened agenda, continuing into early 2026 with the same shared priorities, while building momentum toward our collective key milestones in Year 2.
In this issue, we offer a brief preview of what’s ahead and share updates from several Working Groups. These recaps highlight the coordination, reflection, and preparation work that continued behind the scenes through our first year, and the steps now taking shape as we move into the new year. We look forward to another year of collaboration, learning, and impactful action across port–city territories.
WORKING GROUP UPDATES
WG 2 - Knowledge Discovery in Data
WG2 begins 2026 with strong momentum, supported by preparations for the upcoming conference in Lisbon and, later in the year, the Blue Forum in Limassol. In this context, the group refined its knowledge-discovery plan and welcomed Maëlle Salzinger as co-leader alongside Dr. Angelos Menelaou.
Bringing together a network of 100+ experts across disciplines, WG2 analyzes PACT case studies across European port cities by combining evidence from place-based case-study work on effective energy-transition practices with structured dialogue among relevant stakeholders. Building on these experiences, the group aims to disseminate impactful actions, compelling data visualizations, and actionable policy lessons.
The upcoming visit to Lisbon will provide an important opportunity for members to meet in person, advance collective reflection, and jointly identify good practices from the Portuguese capital—supporting continued shared learning into Year 2.
WG 3 - Theoretical Knowledge
WG3 co-leaders presented a proposal for an open-source book publication, aligned with the group’s mandate and deliverable pathway. The proposal outlined the publication’s vision, its structure around WG3 core activities, and a proposed timeline for delivery.
A central focus is the development of a glossary as a foundational output. WG3 described a two-stage approach: first, a survey to gather terms and definitions across the network; second, a collaborative refinement process using a World Café methodology.
Building on this, the glossary will support the creation of a taxonomy—a structured framework to organize key concepts and strengthen shared understanding, interoperability, and future extensions of this work. WG3 has also started discussions with colleagues across other Working Groups to support knowledge exchange and strengthen alignment across the Action.
WG 5 - Transmitting
WG5 has remained active and productive throughout Year 1, focusing on stakeholder engagement in port–city territories. The group examines how port–city stakeholder ecosystems are identified, mapped, and managed, and in later stages, how these ecosystems can support energy transition.
WG5 has met regularly online every 1–2 months (approximately nine meetings in Year 1), complemented by subgroup sessions advancing survey standardisation, visualisation approaches, and case-study coordination. The four-year work plan follows three partially overlapping steps:
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stakeholder recognition and involvement (inventory, typologies, relationships, mapping),
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management of effective stakeholder ecosystems (platforms, organisational models, evaluation, maturity concepts), and
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stakeholder ecosystems for energy transition (next phase).
Key progress includes multiple case-study strands (e.g., Limassol, Gdańsk, Le Havre) and the development of a standardised survey template to support cross-case comparability and future dataset integration. Ongoing work includes stakeholder relationship visualisation methods, a literature review (coordinated with WG2), and the development of an ecosystem maturity model and related metrics.
For 2026, WG5 plans to move toward a monthly coordination rhythm and aims to deliver 1–2 research papers, 1–2 conference presentations, and datasets based on testbeds for method application, such as survey and interview work.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Energy Transition & Waterfront Futures: Conference & Site Visit 25-27 March Lisbon, Portugal
PACT is excited to announce an upcoming 3-day event, 25-27 March 2026, exploring the integration of energy transition in port city territories. Set in the living laboratory of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area and the Tagus estuary, the conference will include guided waterfront site visits, a sensory walk excursion, and a dynamic program that will bring together a diverse collection of voices such as academics, regional authorities, NGOs, cultural actors and community groups.
Lisbon and the Tagus estuary are a fascinating case study and this intriguing conference promises to be a wonderful opportunity for knowledge co-production and engagement as we continue forward in the second year of the PACT COST Action. For more information about the conference, including details of the tentative Program and the Call for Contributions, please visit the EVENTS section.
CALL FOR ABSTRACT
Energy Transition & Waterfront Futures: Conference & Site Visit 25-27 March Lisbon, Portugal
A reminder that the abstract submission deadline is 15 December 2025 for the upcoming PACT Conference & Site Visit: “Energy Transition & Waterfront Futures”, taking place 25–27 March in Lisbon, Portugal.
Key details:
Abstract: 300–500 words, including title, author(s), affiliation(s), contact email
Languages accepted: English
Format: Word or PDF
Deadline for abstract submission: 15 December 2025
Notification of acceptance: 10 January 2026
Deadline for full paper submission: 28 February 2026
See more information here
Send proposals to: pcbrg@iscte-iul.pt
ONGOING EVENTS
Call for sound contributions – Port City Soundscapes
Our ongoing call for Port City Sound contributions remains open. We are collecting live sound recordings from port–cities around the world, including voices, machines, waterscapes, and everyday atmospheres, to build an open, collective soundscape archive.
Contributions are welcome from all members and from your local collaborators, so please feel free to share the call widely. You can contribute by:
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Uploading your audio or recording here
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Or simply reply / mention us with the song name, and we’ll add it to our public Spotify playlist.
More information is available here
NEWS
Launch of the PACT Journal
A noteworthy highlight of the PACT Conference and Workshop held over 25 - 27 September in Le Havre, France was the launch of the PACT | Ports and Cities & Territories journal. The PACT journal is a biannual open access journal committed to the advancement of impactful interdisciplinary research that aims to shape inclusive and sustainable futures for port cities and territories. The PACT journal welcomes contributions from a wide range of disciplines that focus on thematic areas such as (but not limited to):
• urban and maritime dynamics,
• sustainable ecosystems and green solutions
• policy and planning
• cultural and social aspects
• digitalization and innovation
To learn more about the PACT journal, including the submission and peer review processes, please visit the journal website at https://pact-journal.eu/.
This newsletter is brought to you by Science Communication Team.
Our goal and responsibility is to reach maximum public outreach and engagement. We are:
· Ryan Holmes - Science Communication Coordinator
· Eliane Schmid - Head of Communications Team
· Ilmian Sujatmiko - Communications Team Member
· Sezi Karayazi - Communications Team Member