Green infrastructure, Sharing experiences, Slovenia, Ljubljana, 3 December 2025

The ActGreen project successfully held its international event on green infrastructure in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on December 3rd, 2025. This gathering brought together project partners, local authorities, and experts to exchange best practices and experiences in green infrastructure, sustainable urban development, and citizens' engagement.

The event commenced with welcome speeches from Miran Košenda, Secretary-General of the Association of Urban Municipalities, and Dejan Crnek, Vice Mayor of the Urban Municipality of Ljubljana. Mr. Crnek particularly emphasized the municipality's dedication to collaborative work with its citizens and the ongoing planning and development of green infrastructure within Ljubljana.

Following the initial addresses, project partners delivered several presentations. Dr. Christina Ionela Neokleous from the Panikos Hadjihambis Foundation in Cyprus presented the current status of green infrastructure in her country, highlighting the notable initiatives and efforts implemented recently to enhance citizen engagement and urban sustainability.

Carmen Povedano of Educpro, Portugal, shared effective practices from Braga's green mobility initiative, stressing the benefits for residents and the crucial role of active public participation in realizing sustainable mobility solutions.

Finally, Simona Berden from the Urban Municipality of Ljubljana outlined the green measures implemented in the city over the last decade, detailing how these efforts culminated in Ljubljana being awarded the European Green Capital title. She discussed policies, projects, and community involvement in fostering a more livable and sustainable urban setting, acknowledging that citizen involvement proved to be the most challenging aspect of the process. Given the initial concern among many residents that removing cars from the city center would lead to a desolate urban space, a substantial portion of the effort was dedicated to effective public communication and engagement to ensure citizens were active participants in creating a more vibrant and sustainable urban environment.

Following the presentations, participants engaged in practical field activities to observe green infrastructure in action. This included a wooden electric boat tour on the Ljubljanica River, which showcased sustainable transport options and offered attendees insights into case studies of Ljubljana’s green infrastructure. Attendees also explored the city center by foot, observing the success of pedestrian-friendly zones and areas restricted to car traffic, thereby illustrating how Ljubljana sustains a vibrant city life while prioritizing sustainability.

The day concluded with a dinner near the protected area of Rožnik, an exemplary piece of green infrastructure that successfully integrates natural, ecological, and social benefits within an urban context. This dinner provided an informal setting for further networking, discussion, and the exchange of ideas. The event successfully merged theoretical knowledge with practical experience, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable urban planning, citizen engagement, and urban green initiatives.