In the Šaleška Valley, the second-largest district heating system in Slovenia operates, providing residents with reliable and affordable heating.

Due to coal phase-out and green transition goals the district heating system needs to be transformed, using reliable and sustainable alternatives. This creates space for new opportunities especially in the field of renewable energy sources. Solar panels, installed on private and public buildings, heat pumps, community energy cooperatives, geothermal solutions, and biomass present promising opportunities for a sustainable regional development.

The future challenge therefore is how to combine the valley’s energy heritage with environmentally friendly innovation that supports both local needs and national energy targets.

EEntente Florale Europe is an international competition, organized annually by the European Association for Flowering and Landscape (Association Européenne pour le Fleurissement et le Paysage – AEFP). It is a non-profit association aimed towards promoting social and cultural development of urban communities through sustainable planning, landscape development and greening initiatives. The project's key guiding principle is to enhance the quality of life in cities by creating a friendlier and greener environment.

This year Entente Florale marks its 50th anniversary and we are especially proud that this important milestone is taking place right here in Velenje. This recognition honors the long-standing efforts and commitment of the local community to creating a high-quality, sustainable, and green living environment. At the heart of the project's vision is green public infrastructure—parks, tree-lined streets, urban gardens, recreational areas, and other natural public spaces that significantly impact people's daily lives. Well-designed and accessible green public infrastructure contributes to better health, greater social cohesion, and encourages physical activity, while also playing a crucial role in mitigating climate change and preserving biodiversity.

The Entente Florale project reminds us that green spaces are not just an aesthetic value but a key component of urban resilience and quality of life. Velenje proudly hosts the jubilee celebration of this unique European movement, which places nature at the centre of the future of our cities and communities.

Public participation is no longer an option but a necessity in the process of planning and implementing interventions in shared spaces. Projects that are planned, selected, and sometimes even implemented with public involvement are better accepted, tailored to their needs, and ultimately more effective. In Slovenia, we still often face a lack of interest in participation, mainly due to distrust in governing structures and skepticism about whether community opinions will be considered.In this panel, we aim to present two examples of successful participation in the implementation of sustainable mobility measures and encourage discussion on the best approaches, benefits, and challenges of participatory collaboration.