The multi-stakeholder workshop in Berlin in November 2015 marked the launch of a pilot project between the municipalities of Bottrop and Thessaloniki as part of the European Initiative for Growth. Representatives from local authorities, organised civil society, business and academia took part in the event. The local stakeholders identified examples of good practice for knowledge transfer between the municipalities - regardless of country-specific circumstances and the current economic situation.

The "Growth Initiative - Municipalities for a Strong Europe", a pilot project involving the municipalities of Bottrop and Thessaloniki, was part of Advocate Europe, the European idea challenge organised by MitOst in cooperation with Liquid Democracy and funded by Stiftung Mercator.