Events
The U-CAN Annual Forum 2025
The U-CAN Annual Forum is U-CAN's flagship gathering, “Cities. People. Practice. Together.” Held for the first time from 21–23 August 2025 in Panjim, Goa, the Forum marked a milestone three years into U-CAN's collective journey, what began as a collaboration of twelve organisations has grown into a space of trust, shared purpose, and experimentation in advancing urban transformation in India's smaller cities.
Quick Overview
The first U-CAN Annual Forum, held from 21–23 August 2025 in Panjim, Goa, marked a milestone—three years into our collective journey. What began as a collaboration of twelve organisations has grown into a space of trust, shared purpose, and experimentation in advancing urban transformation in India's smaller cities.
Over 70 practitioners, elected representatives, policymakers, researchers, and community leaders came together to co-create solutions for India's urban future. Designed to break away from the conventional conference model, the Forum placed collaboration and co-creation at its core. Instead of presentations, sessions created space for participants from diverse roles and backgrounds to reflect, contribute, and connect meaningfully.
The Forum underscored a central truth: India's urban challenges cannot be solved by any single actor. By convening this diverse ecosystem, we deepened our collective commitment to act for impact.
The report
Collective Action in Learning: Cities. People. Practice. Together.
Inside the Forum report, you'll find session highlights, participant reflections, and stories of how alternative formats – gallery walks, human libraries, film screenings, collaborative problem-solving, and field visits – reshaped the way we learn and connect.
The document captures takeaways from across the urban ecosystem: what organisations discovered about themselves, how partnerships are forged in practice, and what seeds were planted for future collaborations.
It's more than a record; it's a resource for anyone interested in how collective action can be designed and sustained in India's emerging cities.
Watch
U-CAN Annual Forum 2025 highlights video
Reflections
In Their Words
What I found most valuable is the opportunity to convene and collaborate with other organisations, as well as the chance to step back and rethink what our work means, while experiencing the sometimes painful, but ultimately rewarding, process of co-creation.
It is possibly the only one of its kind initiative, to bring together various voices from different urban geographies across India. The willingness to embrace new approaches and ideas, and making it a collaborative effort, is quite impressive.
The immersive site visits in Panjim and the direct interactions with local actors stood out as particularly meaningful, since they grounded the discussions in real challenges and opportunities.
The Annual Forum was a valuable space for bringing together diverse voices from across the urban ecosystem. It helped us reflect on how national policy priorities connect with the lived realities of cities. The discussions will support our efforts at the Ministry by enhancing the understanding of the work being done by civil society and research institutions.
The U-CAN meeting in Goa was truly enriching. Connecting with organizations from different states gave us valuable insights, and the films and presentations - especially on community initiatives and employment programs - were particularly inspiring.
I thought that it was valuable to bring the 2nd and 3rd tier of participants from the organisations to interact with each other. This gives a better understanding of their work.
Pratima JoshiFounder and Executive Director, Shelter AssociatesEach session was thoughtfully structured, run and curated. The respectful and attentive listening principle and inclusive ethos that was built is an example to follow.
Neha LalSenior Program Manager, WRIThe participatory nature of the Forum was remarkable. Everyone was able to contribute honestly and spontaneously, sharing their perspectives without fear or bias. It created a fair space where diverse voices, from civil society, NGOs, and local leaders, could come together, exchange ideas, and converge on common understanding. This instant, open dialogue was a valuable learning experience for all of us.
Participants at the U-CAN Annual Forum 2025, Panjim, Goa
