Last week marked the culmination of another successful year for the “Innovation and Co-design for Sustainable, Resilient and Inclusive Public Spaces and Services (CIPSS)” programme.
Participants from Indonesia, North Macedonia and Turkey came together for the digital final conference, sharing remarkable insights from their change projects aimed at fostering more inclusive and accessible cities and municipalities. These initiatives have been instrumental in supporting vulnerable groups and communities, including Roma children, elders with Alzheimer’s, and disadvantaged women.
Johanna Alkan Olsson, programme director, reflects, “It’s truly inspiring to witness the tangible impact of these projects. Strengthening city officials and stakeholders to create spaces where individuals in need receive support and empowerment from their communities lies at the heart of our mission.”
One participant, Burcu Önenç from Turkey, shares some feedback received from a woman after the implementation of his group’s change project. “I feel better, more valuable, safer, and more visible in the city.” Her words encapsulate the profound difference these initiatives are making in people’s lives.
From North Macedonia, another participant highlights the intergenerational collaboration that took place through her group’s change project: “It was incredible to witness young school children and the elderly from the Red Cross working together in Galichica National Park. By fostering a love for nature and environmental awareness, we’re not only making the park more accessible but also laying the groundwork for sustainable initiatives that will benefit generations to come.”
Looking ahead, participants are eager to leverage the network forged during the CIPSS programme to continue developing impactful projects.
LUCE is proud to be part of this initiative alongside Lund University’s Centre for Environmental and Climate Research (CEC), the Raoul Wallenberg Institute (RWI), and SKL International. Special thanks to the Swedish Institute for their financial support.
Let’s keep innovating and co-designing for a more inclusive and sustainable future! 🌱💡