Turning Grey into Green: GreenScape CE Partners Meet in Milan

On 8–9 May 2025, the GreenScape CE project partners gathered in Milan (Italy) for their Fourth Partner Meeting, hosted by Ambiente Italia. The two-day gathering offered an opportunity to assess progress, align efforts across work packages, and prepare for the final implementation phase focused on climate-proofing urban landscapes through nature-based solutions (NBS) and green infrastructure (GI).

Site Visits: Green Roofs and Community Integration

The meeting began with field visits to two key NBS locations in Milan:

  • The social housing green roofs at Via Russoli 18
  • The community terraces of Villaggio Barona on Via Ettore Ponti

These examples provided valuable insight into how Milan is integrating green infrastructure into residential areas, combining ecological restoration with social and economic value.

Aligning Priorities Across Work Packages

Day 1 also included:

  • Management updates by REGEA, the Lead Partner;
  • A communication session by ALDA+, highlighting engagement metrics, content planning, and next steps for pilot visibility;
  • A review of Work Package 1 (Sowing the Seeds), including deliverable progress and pilot action integration discussions.

Partners worked collaboratively to define contributions for upcoming deliverables and finalise preparations for WP1 reporting and capitalisation.

Sharing Results and Planning Ahead

Day 2 focused on thematic sessions from Work Package 2 (Bringing About Change) and Work Package 3 (Reaping the Benefits):

  • Updates on pilot city feasibility studies, financing models, and technical documentation
  • Overview of the promotional campaign and success story video planning
  • Position paper and replication strategy updates led by ETIFOR and ALDA+
  • Discussions on landscape connectivitymatchmaking, and network expansion for the final phase

The meeting concluded with planning for the GreenScape CE final event and discussion on communication and capitalisation tools to ensure project impact beyond 2026.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Ambiente Italia for hosting and guiding the on-site visits. The exchange of experiences and practical insights in Milan laid the groundwork for the final stretch of the project, as partners continue turning grey into green across Central Europe.

To follow our progress and learn more about the project’s results, visit the GreenScape CE website here!  

Where innovation meets heritage: highlights from the GINEVRA Partner Meeting in Cesena

On 7–8 May 2025, the city of Cesena (Italy) hosted the fifth GINEVRA Partner Meeting, bringing together project partners to exchange updates on autonomous vehicle (AV) pilot progress, refine governance and engagement strategies, and prepare for the final implementation phase.

Advancing AV Governance and Demo Preparation

Held in the Comune di Cesena, Day 1 focused on technical and strategic updates across GINEVRA’s core activities. Partners presented updates on the demo site preparations in Cesena, Varaždin, and Bad Schönborn, with a dedicated session moderated by TU Wien to align the upcoming implementation phase.

Partners also reviewed the progress under Work Package 2 and shared insights from ongoing stakeholder and citizen engagement efforts. A dedicated session on risk and emergency communication, led by ALDA+, highlighted the importance of clear, responsive messaging as autonomous mobility pilots enter real-world testing.

Transnational Reflections on AV: Policy, Practice, and Global Outlook

Day 2 moved to the historic Biblioteca Malatestiana, where the setting reflected the meeting’s theme of bridging tradition and innovation. The Transnational Seminar titled “State of the Art and Perspectives for AV in Europe” featured contributions from TU Wien, inBlenda, and EMFIE, offering European and global perspectives on regulatory challenges, case studies, and future pathways for AV adoption.

A guided tour of the Biblioteca followed, allowing participants to reflect on the intersection between heritage and forward-looking urban transformation.

Setting the Stage for Final Implementation

The meeting marked a key milestone as the GINEVRA project enters its final implementation phase. With demo activities approaching, the exchange in Cesena helped strengthen collaboration, clarify roles, and energize the partnership to deliver innovative and inclusive governance tools for Central European cities.

 Acknowledgements

A warm thank you to our hosts at Comune di Cesena for providing a welcoming and inspiring space for these important discussions, and to all partners for their continued dedication and input.

To learn more about the GINEVRA project and follow our next steps, visit our website!

Shaping sustainable futures together: highlights from the 3P4SSE Partner Meeting in Split

On May 15–16, 2025, the city of Split (Croatia) hosted the fifth Steering Committee Meeting of the 3P4SSE project, bringing together partners for two days of focused discussion, learning, and coordination. Hosted by the National Foundation for Civil Society Development, in coordination with Split-Dalmatia County, the meeting offered a dynamic space to align efforts and co-create solutions for advancing the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) across Central Europe.

From Strategy to Co-creation

The two-day event brought together representatives from all partner organisations for an intense programme of workshops, discussions, and field experiences. The first day focused on deepening collective reflection and technical collaboration. From aligning national guideline development to shaping project solutions and the SSE online platform, partners contributed to finalising key deliverables that will support long-term policy and grassroots innovation.

Discovering Social Economy in Action

Day two offered an immersive study visit to local SSE examples in the Split area. Partners visited:

  • DES Institution, a long-standing SSE actor in Split supporting people with disabilities
  • Klis Municipality, where the “Green LaMiS” project showcases how local governance can integrate sustainability and mobility into social service delivery
  • Stella Croatica, a flagship enterprise combining cultural heritage, sustainable production, and social responsibility in the heart of Dalmatia

These site visits helped ground the project’s policy and platform development in lived experiences, offering concrete inspiration for replication and scaling.

A Milestone Towards Final Impact

As the 3P4SSE project enters its final phase, the Split meeting served as a critical checkpoint — aligning all partners on communication, capitalisation, and output finalisation. From platform functionality to national guidelines, the pieces are coming together to ensure a lasting legacy for the project.

A warm thank you to our hosts and all partners for making this gathering both productive and inspiring. The ideas exchanged in Split will help shape the final deliverables and strengthen SSE ecosystems across the region.

Stay tuned for more updates as we build toward the final event and continue fostering inclusive, resilient economies through the 3P4SSE project.