Eileen Crowley

I’m an urban and regional development consultant specialising in place-based strategy, multi-level governance and the design of impactful policy dialogues. Over the past 23 years I’ve supported cities, regions, governments and EU institutions to translate shared goals on climate transition, urban regeneration and territorial cohesion into practical, implementable action. As Founder of Ascent Consulting, I work at the intersection of strategic planning, funding and financing, and collaborative policy-making—helping partners align vision, investment and delivery. I have particular expertise in curating and moderating high-level European events, informal ministerial sessions, stakeholder workshops and capacity-building programmes that bring diverse perspectives together and lead to tangible outcomes. My recent work includes designing and moderating European Urban Initiative (EUI) capacity building events, URBACT events and Cities Forum 2025, shaping inclusive formats that make complex policy issues accessible, engaging and actionable. I’m motivated by the belief that how we design places—and how we structure the conversations around them—directly shapes our collective ability to implement change. I bring a practical, creative and collaborative approach, supporting partners from concept and partnership-building through to delivery, evaluation and communication of impact.