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.
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.
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.
Kanupriya Kaikeya, Senior Manager Communications C40 Cities