Setting the scene
The Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia (UIRS) launched the “DELUJEMO SKUPAJ / ACTING TOGETHER” platform in 2024. This online resource promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing for co-creating public spaces in remote areas.
The platform arose from a previous internal portal used by Smoties partners to analyse best practices in public space design. Recognising the value of open exchange, UIRS built a public platform where stakeholders can showcase their successful projects and inspire others.
What it is and why it was developed
Public spaces are vital for remote communities, they foster social interaction, local identity and quality of life. The platform aims to:
- recognise and promote best practices inclusively: users can submit and explore successful examples of co-created public spaces,
- encourage collaboration: the platform facilitates exchanges of information between different stakeholders such as residents, local initiatives, authorities and other stakeholders,
- share experiences and ideas: users can learn from successful projects and gain inspiration for their own initiatives.
How it is used
Users can submit information including details on actors, processes, supporting mechanisms, changes in physical spaces etc. They can also explore a catalogue of good practices for inspiration. The portal emphasises the importance of activities within public spaces, such as cultural events and social gatherings, to enhance community well-being and local identity. A new feature foreseen for 2025 is planned to allow public voting on best practices, enabling the community to actively participate in selecting the most impactful projects. This democratic approach aims to ensure that initiatives with the most community backing receive the necessary resources to thrive.
Takeaways
How successful is the tool?
The portal, established in summer 2024, has already seen 16 good practices entered by autumn. Initial feedback has been positive, highlighting its user-friendly interface and the richness of shared practices. Following a testing phase, UIRS plans to promote the portal more widely in 2025 to gain public recognition. As visibility and participation increase, the portal is expected to significantly contribute to revitalising public spaces in remote areas.
A key result discovered with the tool
One outcome of the “DELUJEMO SKUPAJ / ACTING TOGETHER” portal has been the increased visibility and recognition of successful public space projects in small and remote areas. By providing a centralised platform for sharing these practices, the portal has facilitated greater awareness and appreciation of the innovative approaches taken by different communities. This has already initiated some further discussions on the strategies of systemic support of actors in remote places.
Any issues or challenges with the tool
Securing funding to support the best practices financially remains a significant challenge. To address this, UIRS is exploring various funding avenues, including EU grants, private sector partnerships and potentially crowdfunding. Additionally, the support from local governments and philanthropic organizations interested in community development and cultural preservation will be sought. By diversifying funding sources, the platform aims to ensure that the most promising projects receive the financial backing needed to thrive and enhance the vitality of small and remote communities.
Figure 1: The logo of Acting Together platform empowering collaborative public space design (source: UIRS – https://delujemoskupaj.uirs.si/en-us/)
Figure 2: The landing page of the Acting Together platform with links to three subpages shown in the upper-right corner (source: UIRS – https://delujemoskupaj.uirs.si/en-us/)
Figure 3: A snapshot from the catalogue of the good practices of the Acting Together platform (source: UIRS – https://delujemoskupaj.uirs.si/en-us/)