The Cities-to-Cities catalogues were created to bring together good solutions to different types of challenges that can be adapted and implemented in Slovenian local communities. The first one (2017) was based on a set of good practices that have been recognised by the URBACT programme, and we have also included three Slovenian practices. For the second edition (2019), we have effortlessly collected fifteen good practices that, in the opinion of IPoP colleagues, deserved more attention and, consequently, transfer to other Slovenian local environments. The third edition (2021) was produced exclusively by selecting the practices submitted by municipalities and public companies to our open call.
This year’s set of 13 good practices is varied and includes a range of actions related to promoting sustainable mobility, green spaces, urban regeneration, community cohesion and education. For this edition, the practices were collected through an open call, but due to a slightly weaker response, we have completed the selection ourselves. We have put together a selection of thirteen programmes, actions and projects that respond to a range of topical urban issues.
We were interested in how a former kindergarten became an intergenerational community centre in Bohinj and how Kamnik’s former gunpowder factory became a cultural and social centre. And how Kočevje picturesque murals strengthen local identity and bring public spaces to life with stories of local history, culture and nature. We presented the Kiosk 67 urban café project in Koper, which opened new opportunities for public participation in shaping the city, and measures to protect children and schoolchildren in congested areas and to enable them to get to school safely in Ljubljana and Most na Soči.
These are just a few examples of how we can create more inclusive, vibrant and resilient cities through throughout actions and collaborative practices. It is inspiring that Slovenian municipalities have so many good practices that we want to share and present to the wider public, and that are not falling behind other European cities in terms of innovation. Time and again, one of them gets a boost, a rejuvenated team, a forward-looking leadership or exceptionally dedicated staff who are willing to take that extra step. Often, it is also about their willingness to support an initiative that comes from local organisations or the local community. What we are particularly pleased to see in this fourth edition is that one of the main sources of innovative practice for municipalities is cooperation with NGOs and civil society organisations.
We invite you to browse through the catalogue, which we have also equipped with short English summaries, and get inspired by the practices.
