| Summary: | The subject of this dissertation is how the City of Reykjavík's participation in international co-operation networks has affected complex and urgent projects such as climate issues. The dissertation is a qualitative case study where I rely on interviews with four experts in international affairs and who have a deep understanding of the nature of international affairs at the City of Reykjavík. I reflect the subject matter to the theories of neoliberal institutionalism, cosmopolitanism, network theory and I draw network theories from public administration and link it to the component. In my dissertation, I discuss in general how cities can be in the forefront of climate change governance with a more adaptive role when it comes to connecting co-operation networks. I take a closer look at some international collaborations; Global Covenant of Mayors of Climate and Energy, SPARCs and Horizon 2020 and ICLEI, together with participation in Nordic co-operation and to better examine the benefits of the City of Reykjavík from these co-operation projects. The benefits for the City of Reykjavík in participating in international cooperation according to my findings are obvious. The importance of smaller cities in participating in international projects strengthens and supports them in various ways; apart from the economically benefits, international co-operation increases competitiveness, fosters innovation and creates knowledge. It is also important that the city has set clear policy strategy in addition to the progress and implementation of a climate plan. The City's co-operation with the Global Covenant of Mayors, ICLEi, Horizon 2020 and SPARCs and the Nordic co-operation have all, in their own way, supported these policies with the aim of enabling the city to meet its obligations. It has been important here to have access to a grant system, e.g. Horizon, in order to be able to implement policies regarding innovation and knowledge, access to specialization and work processes at e.g. Global Covenant of Mayors. Cities have ...
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