Green mobility and accessibility for all around and in the cities, Velenje, Slovenia, 10 September 2026
On 10 September 2026, Velenje hosted the fourth working meeting of the European Fair Cities project (Active Cities – Fair Cities), bringing together partners from seven European countries. The main focus of the meeting was green mobility and urban accessibility, while discussions also addressed the importance of a just transition from an industrial past towards a sustainable future.
The Fair Cities project promotes cooperation and the exchange of experiences between European cities, seeking answers to the question of how to create cities that are more fair, inclusive and sustainable. Velenje was therefore a particularly relevant setting for this meeting – a city facing the major challenge of transitioning from a traditional coal-based economy towards a green future.
The meeting began with welcoming addresses by Peter Dermol, Mayor of the Municipality of Velenje, and Rok Šimenc, State Secretary responsible for Cohesion Policy. Participants also heard from Anna Krzyzanowska of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation and Dr Chiara Lucchini, Head of Territorial Development at Torino Urban Lab. Their presentations explored new approaches to urban development and the role of research and innovation in shaping the future of cities.
A special focus was placed on Velenje’s green transition. The project partners visited the Slovenian Coal Mining Museum, where they learned about the history of coal mining, which has profoundly shaped the development of Velenje and the wider Šaleška Valley. The experience of an industrial city undergoing a major economic and social transformation provides an important basis for discussing what a just transition should look like in practice.
“The green transition is not only about new technologies, infrastructure and the environment. Above all, it is about people and the quality of their lives. If we want to build a successful future, we must take into account the needs of everyone affected by the changes,” was one of the key messages of the meeting.
The programme continued with a guided tour of Velenje, focusing on the city’s mobility solutions and challenges. Partners also presented examples of good practices from their cities and countries and exchanged experiences on how to improve accessibility and promote more sustainable ways of moving around cities.
The working part of the meeting concluded with two workshops. One focused on mobility, while the other explored the role and activities of the Climate and Energy Office. The exchange of practical experiences and the search for common solutions are at the heart of cooperation within the Fair Cities project.
According to the participants, the meeting provided valuable opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange and reflection on the future development of cities. The shared message was clear: fairer and more sustainable cities of the future can only be built through cooperation, the involvement of different stakeholders and a willingness to learn from one another.
The fourth Fair Cities working meeting brought together institutional representatives and experts from Belgium, Cyprus, France, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia and Spain.
Comments