CONE Final Conference - From Local Initiatives to a Joint Urban Greening Strategy

On 22 October 2026, the final conference of the CONE – Cities of Nature project took place in Padova, Italy. The event focused on presenting the results of international cooperation aimed at developing urban green infrastructure and implementing Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in Central European cities. It brought together project partners, representatives of local authorities and experts working on sustainable urban development and climate change adaptation.

Reviewing the Results of International Cooperation

The conference was opened by Ciro Degl’Innocenti, representing the City of Padova, and Gregorio Vichi from the Interreg Central Europe Joint Secretariat.

The event provided an opportunity to present the key results of the CONE project, including practical pilot actions implemented in partner cities, as well as tools, methods and strategies developed to support municipalities in implementing Nature-Based Solutions.

An important aspect of the project was also strengthening cooperation between local authorities, researchers and residents, particularly through local Living Labs. These participatory initiatives enabled stakeholders to jointly identify environmental challenges and develop solutions tailored to the needs of local communities.

Expert Discussions – Experiences, Tools and Opportunities for Replicating CONE Results

Expert discussions formed an important part of the conference, focusing on the project's results and their potential application in other cities and regions across Central Europe.

The first discussion featured Attila Varga, Marcin Żuchowski, Magda Kasprzyk and Michaela Novotná. The conversation focused on experiences gained from implementing pilot investments, the role of local Living Labs and tools supporting municipalities in planning and implementing NBS.

Participants also addressed opportunities to transfer good practices to other cities, taking into account local environmental, organisational and social conditions. Particular attention was given to the guidelines for Living Labs, the NBS Toolbox and the Joint Strategy for Urban Greening Plans across Central Europe developed within the project.

One of the key messages emerging from the project is the need to treat green infrastructure as an integral part of long-term urban development planning rather than as a series of isolated investments. Effective implementation of Nature-Based Solutions requires institutional cooperation, appropriate technical preparation and active involvement of local communities.

Nature Restoration and the Perspective of Local Authorities

The conference programme also included a presentation by Michele Munafò from the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), focusing on the EU Nature Restoration Law.

A further expert discussion brought together representatives of Italian local authorities, including Nicoletta Paiaro from the City of Padova and Francesca Salsi and Graziana Bonvicini from the City of Reggio Emilia. The discussion provided an opportunity to explore the perspective of local governments on the development of urban green infrastructure and the challenges associated with implementing NBS.

Workshops and the Future Use of Project Results

The afternoon session was dedicated to workshops, providing participants with an opportunity to exchange experiences and explore the practical application of the knowledge and results developed within the CONE project.

The final conference was not only an opportunity to review the activities carried out but also to reflect on the future of Nature-Based Solutions in Central European cities. Experiences gained from pilot investments, the development of tools supporting municipalities and international cooperation provide a foundation for further sharing of good practices and strengthening urban resilience to climate change.

The results of the CONE project demonstrate that effective climate change adaptation requires a combination of technical expertise, long-term planning, institutional cooperation and active citizen participation in shaping urban spaces.

CONE Project Partners Meet inbPadova - Study Visits Highlight Practical Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Adaptation

On 20–21 October 2026, an international meeting of partners from the CONE – Cities of Nature project took place in Padova, Italy. The two-day programme combined a project consortium meeting with study visits focusing on the implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in urban areas. Participants discussed project progress and explored the CONE pilot investment alongside other examples of green urban infrastructure developed in Padova.

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Consortium Meeting and Review of Project Activities

The first day was dedicated to a consortium meeting, during which project partners discussed project management, the current status of planned activities and preparations for the final project event.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange experiences related to implementing Nature-Based Solutions in partner cities. Particular attention was given to progress in pilot activities and the potential to use the project's results in future initiatives supporting sustainable urban development.

CONE Pilot Investment – Rain Gardens in Padova

On the second day, project partners participated in study visits, with the main focus on the CONE pilot investment located in Via della Ricerca Scientifica in Padova.

The investment involves transforming 256 m² of paved surfaces into a system of 16 rain gardens designed to naturally collect, filter and gradually absorb rainwater. The solution aims to reduce surface runoff, relieve pressure on the urban stormwater drainage system and improve local environmental conditions.

An important component of the pilot investment is the integration of environmental monitoring technologies. A system of sensors enables the collection of data on water retention and meteorological parameters, including temperature and rainfall. The information gathered will help assess the effectiveness of the implemented NBS measures and provide valuable insights for planning similar investments in other urban areas.

The Padua pilot demonstrates how even relatively small interventions in highly urbanised areas can support climate change adaptation, improve stormwater management and contribute to the development of green infrastructure.

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Urban Green Infrastructure – Study Visits to Piazza Savelli and Parco Guizza

The second day's programme also included visits to two other locations in Padova – Piazza Savelli and Parco Guizza. Participants explored initiatives implemented by the City of Padua independently of the CONE project budget, providing additional examples of Nature-Based Solutions in practice.

At Piazza Savelli, the participants learned about the transformation of paved urban space into an area with more permeable surfaces and increased greenery. At Parco Guizza, they explored solutions aimed at expanding urban green spaces, supporting biodiversity and improving environmental and recreational conditions in the city.

Knowledge Exchange and Practical Applications of Nature-Based Solutions

The two-day meeting in Padua provided CONE project partners with an opportunity to exchange experiences and gain first-hand insights into different approaches to urban climate change adaptation.

One of the most valuable aspects of the study visits was the combination of Nature-Based Solutions with technologies designed to monitor their effectiveness. This approach makes it possible not only to implement green infrastructure but also to assess its actual impact on stormwater management and environmental conditions in urban areas.

The experiences gained during the meeting provide a valuable reference for further use of the CONE project's results and the development of similar solutions in partner cities.

CONE Project Partners Met in Wejherowo

On 9 September 2026, CONE project partners met in Wejherowo, combining a working meeting with a study visit to sites connected with local project activities. The programme provided an opportunity to discuss the progress of the project and the next stages of CONE implementation, while also taking a closer look at the practical application of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in urban areas.

An important part of the programme was a visit to sites connected with CONE pilot activities implemented in Wejherowo. The partners visited the courtyard at 8 Śmiechowska Street, where a rain garden has been created, as well as the site of the former mill pond on the Cedron River, whose restoration is intended to restore its water retention capacity. The field visit provided an opportunity to learn about local conditions and exchange experience on the practical application of Nature-Based Solutions in water management and urban space.

The programme also included a visit to Ekofabryka Wejherowo, where participants learned about local solutions and experience related to municipal management.

Partners’ meeting at Wejherowo Town Hall

Another part of the programme took place at Wejherowo Town Hall. The Mayor of Wejherowo, Krzysztof Hildebrandt, introduced the participants to the city, its history and development priorities. A visit to the Museum of the Wejherowo Region provided an opportunity to gain further insight into the local context and history of the city.

The Town Hall also hosted the working session of the CONE partners’ meeting, focusing on the ongoing implementation of the project, progress to date and planned activities. Direct exchange between the partners, combined with visits to the pilot sites, made it possible to relate project discussions to the specific conditions and challenges associated with implementing Nature-Based Solutions in cities.

The meeting in Wejherowo thus combined work on the further implementation of the project with a practical perspective on local CONE activities and the potential of Nature-Based Solutions to contribute to more climate-resilient urban areas.

NURSECOAST-II, CONE and Circular MuSe – From Knowledge to Practice at COEE 2026

Study visits to Wejherowo and Gdańsk concluded the participation of NURSECOAST-II, CONE and Circular MuSe in COEE 2026. The final day of the conference gave participants an opportunity to see practical solutions for sustainable water management, green retention and the circular economy – areas directly linked to the activities developed within these projects.

The final part of the 5th International Conference of Ecological and Environmental Engineering – COEE 2026 programme consisted of study visits to Wejherowo and Gdańsk. Following several days of presentations, panel discussions and exchange of experience, participants had the opportunity to see how the topics discussed during the conference translate into concrete solutions implemented at the local level.

Wejherowo – sustainable water and waste management

In Wejherowo, participants visited Ekofabryka Wejherowo, where practical solutions and experience related to waste management and the transition towards more circular use of resources were presented. The programme also addressed sustainable water management at the city level.

Wejherowo provided a particularly clear example of how the topics discussed at the conference connect with activities carried out within the CONE and Circular MuSe projects. The two projects address complementary areas: the use of Nature-Based Solutions in stormwater management and the implementation of circular economy principles in municipal services.

Gdańsk – green retention and resource recovery

In Gdańsk, the first part of the visit focused on green retention. Participants learned about Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) used in stormwater management and their role in increasing urban resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Another part of the programme focused on waste management and the transition from conventional waste management towards resource recovery and reuse. The solutions presented demonstrated how circular economy principles can be translated into the practical operation of cities and municipal infrastructure.

From conference knowledge to practical solutions

The study visits provided a practical continuation of the topics presented and discussed during COEE 2026. They enabled participants to relate research, project results and exchanged experience to solutions operating under real-life conditions.

Activities developed within CONE and Circular MuSe in Wejherowo demonstrated two important directions in urban transformation: the use of Nature-Based Solutions in water management and the implementation of circular economy principles. Together with the experience of NURSECOAST-II in sustainable water and wastewater management, they provided a coherent perspective on how research, knowledge exchange and project cooperation can lead to practical solutions across the Baltic Sea Region.

COEE 2026 – the 5th International Conference of Ecological and Environmental Engineering – was organised by Gdańsk University of Technology and its Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

CONE on Nature-Based Solutions at COEE 2026

The CONE – Cities of Nature project was presented at the 5th International Conference of Ecological and Environmental Engineering (COEE 2026) in Sopot. On 8 September, as part of the Ideation Project Multi-Forum & Panel Discussion “Nature-Based Solutions in Urban Areas”, the project contributed its experience from Urban Living Labs, where nature-based solutions are combined with the active involvement of local stakeholders in their planning, implementation and evaluation.

Nature-Based Solutions at the centre of the discussion

The “Nature-Based Solutions in Urban Areas” session focused on nature-based solutions (NBS) and their potential to address current environmental and climate challenges.

The Ideation Project Multi-Forum provided a space to bring together experiences from different projects, research approaches, and solutions being developed and tested in practice. Discussions covered, among other topics, the use of NBS in urban areas, green infrastructure, and the adaptation of cities and local communities to climate change.

CONE experience from Urban Living Labs

CONE contributed to the discussion with experience gained through activities carried out within Urban Living Labs. Within the project, nature-based solutions are developed not only as technical and environmental interventions, but also through a process that actively involves local stakeholders.

This approach makes it possible to combine the planning and implementation of NBS with the knowledge and needs of local communities. Stakeholders can participate in the development, testing and evaluation of solutions, helping to ensure that the activities are better adapted to the specific conditions and needs of each location.

Knowledge and experience exchange

CONE's participation in COEE 2026 also provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience among representatives of international projects, the scientific community, and practitioners working with nature-based solutions, green infrastructure and climate change adaptation.

The conference discussions will be followed by further project activities. On 9 September, CONE partners will meet in Wejherowo for a partner meeting and study visits focused on further cooperation and the exchange of experience within the project.

Combining participation in the international conference with the planned project activities will provide an opportunity to connect the broader discussion on Nature-Based Solutions with the practical experience of CONE partners.

CONE Living Lab in Tolkmicko – Nature, Education and Cooperation in Practice

The rain garden being developed at the Nicolaus Copernicus Primary School in Tolkmicko became a space for practical activities, education and local cooperation. As part of the CONE – Cities of Nature project, a Living Lab was held there, bringing participants together to work on the rain garden, while students took part in workshops focused on water, greenery and nature-based solutions.

Living Lab at the rain garden

The meeting took place at the Nicolaus Copernicus Primary School in Tolkmicko, where one of the Polish pilot activities of the CONE project – a rain garden – is being implemented.

The solution is designed to support local stormwater management, increase green space and demonstrate in practice how nature-based solutions (NBS) can help cities and local communities adapt to climate change.

During the meeting, representatives of the Town and Municipality of Tolkmicko, the Association of Polish Communes Euroregion Baltic (STG ERB) and Gdańsk University of Technology presented the objectives of the CONE project, its pilot activities and the functions of the rain garden.

From knowledge to joint action

The practical part of the Living Lab provided an opportunity for participants to become directly involved. Together, they planted vegetation in the rain garden while learning about the role of the plants and their importance for the proper functioning of the system.

At the same time, students took part in co-creation workshops led by the Alternatywny Cypel Association. They discussed water, greenery and the space surrounding their school, exploring together how it could be shaped using nature-based solutions.

This combination of practical activities, education and collaborative development of ideas reflects the concept of a Living Lab – a space where solutions are developed with the active involvement of the local community and in response to the actual needs of a particular place.

NBS Working Group meeting

In parallel, a meeting of the NBS Working Group was held with representatives of STG ERB and the City of Wejherowo. The discussion focused on the activities carried out so far within the CONE project, including the pilot activities in Tolkmicko and Wejherowo.

The participants also discussed involvement in the COEE conference in Sopot, the project event in Padua, and opportunities to use and further develop the experience gained through future activities and initiatives related to nature-based solutions.

The Living Lab in Tolkmicko demonstrated the practical dimension of the CONE project – from implementing local solutions and education to engaging young people and exchanging experience among local authorities, experts and project partners.

As part of the CONE pilot project, the area next to the school was equipped with educational and informational elements that complement the rain garden and allow the space to be used for further education. Educational and informational displays were installed, including a board with interactive elements, a mini sensory trail, and a bench, and the space was additionally equipped with on-site informational signs and thermometers. As a result, the pilot project creates a space where nature-based solutions can not only be seen but also explored and observed in practice.

CONE Project Study Visit in Wejherowo

On September 9, 2026, the CONE project partners will meet in Wejherowo for a study visit focused on nature-based solutions, local pilot projects, and the use of the Urban Living Lab method in local government activities.

The CONE project focuses on developing eco-friendly solutions that address local climate challenges. A key element of the project is engaging residents, local governments, experts, the scientific community, and the private sector in the joint design, testing, and evaluation of solutions that can increase the resilience of cities and municipalities to the effects of climate change.

The program includes:

a presentation on Ekofabryka Wejherowo Sp. z o.o. and its activities,
an overview of pilot projects implemented as part of the CONE project,
a discussion on experiences with implementing nature-based solutions,
a meeting of project partners and a discussion of the next stages of collaboration,
an exchange of knowledge on the potential for applying the Living Lab approach in small and medium-sized cities and municipalities.

In the CONE project, a Living Lab is understood as an environment for collaborative work on solutions for the city. The process involves analyzing local needs and barriers, co-designing ideas, testing them, gathering feedback, and assessing the potential for further use and replication in other locations.

The visit to Wejherowo will be an opportunity to see local initiatives in action and discuss how nature-based solutions can support:

adaptation to climate change,
increasing the resilience of local communities,
better use of data in planning,
resident participation in decision-making,
the development of solutions that can also be applied in other municipalities.

The partners’ meeting will also allow us to compare the project’s objectives with local experiences and gather the knowledge needed to further develop, refine, and disseminate the pilot projects.

Date: September 9, 2026
Location: Wejherowo
Start of the visit: Ekofabryka

You can read more about the project on the website

https://eurobalt.org.pl/en/euroregion-baltic-ongoing-projects/cone/

Living Lab and NbS Working Group in Wejherowo

On 7 July 2026, a partners’ meeting of the CONE – Co-creating Nature-based Solutions for urban areas project took place in Wejherowo. The event provided an opportunity to review the progress achieved so far, exchange experiences, and discuss the next steps in implementing Nature-based Solutions (NbS).

One of the key elements of the meeting was the Living Lab event – a “living laboratory”, where residents, local authorities, experts, and project partners jointly create and test solutions responding to local challenges.

As part of the Living Lab activities, participants planted vegetation together in the developing rain garden at Śmiechowska Street 8 in Wejherowo – the first NbS pilot implemented within the CONE project.

Not long ago, this area was an undeveloped space where challenges related to rainwater management had been identified. Thanks to the cooperation between the city, residents, and project partners, the site is being transformed into a green space demonstrating how nature-based solutions can support water retention and improve the quality of urban environments.

The rain garden will serve as a demonstration site, allowing Wejherowo residents to see in practice how NbS solutions work and what benefits they can bring to local communities. At the same time, it will represent an example of climate adaptation measures that can be applied in other urban areas.

“This is a pilot site, a so-called Living Lab, which will serve as a demonstration rain garden in Wejherowo. Everyone will be able to visit and see how such a solution works in practice. We hope that more similar initiatives will appear in the city in the future” – representatives of the City of Wejherowo emphasise.

During the event, residents had the opportunity to actively participate in creating the new green space. The joint activities were not only part of the pilot implementation process but also an example of the participatory approach that is one of the key principles of the CONE project.

NbS Working Group – cooperation and planning future activities

The meeting also included an NbS Working Group Meeting. It provided a platform to discuss the further development of nature-based solutions in Wejherowo and cooperation with local stakeholders.

Participants discussed, among others, the involvement of residents and local authorities in future activities, preparation of further pilot actions, and opportunities to use the experience gained during the project implementation. The discussions also focused on the synergistic activities planned within the CONE project for autumn 2026.

The meeting was attended by representatives of APC ERB, the City of Wejherowo, Politechnika Gdańska and invited guests.