Proximities Project

17/02/2026

Earlier this month, the 3rd PROXIMITIES Interregional Study Visit took place in Reggio Emilia.

Partners explored proximity based planning, urban mobility and community led regeneration.

A keynote by Professor Carlos Moreno on the City of Proximity highlighted the role of policy in shaping accessible and liveable cities.

The exchange of good practices will inform policy improvements across the partnership.

17/02/2026

Earlier this month, the 3rd PROXIMITIES Interregional Study Visit and international event took place in Reggio Emilia, bringing partners together to explore how proximity based planning can strengthen neighbourhoods.

From pilot actions such as Via Premuda and Strade Fantastiche to wider regeneration and mobility initiatives, the visit provided practical insights to support policy development across partner regions.

Professor Carlos Moreno delivered a keynote on the City of Proximity, highlighting how urban policy can better support everyday life, accessibility and wellbeing.

The lessons shared will help shape concrete policy improvements within the PROXIMITIES project.

23/12/2025

Happy Holidays from the PROXIMITIES partnership 🎄

Wishing our partners, stakeholders and communities across Europe a restful holiday season and a positive start to the New Year.

We look forward to continuing our work together in 2026.

22/12/2025

Back in September, during our PROXIMITIES study visit to Riga, we heard from Mārtiņš Eņģelis from the Riga Planning Region about how the city’s Participatory Budget Programme is putting local communities at the centre of decision-making 🗳️🏘️

Running since 2019, the programme allows residents and civic groups to propose and vote on small-scale projects, with funding of up to €100,000. Initiatives like Zasulauks Manufacture Park and the “Under the Bridge” skatepark show how community-led ideas can transform local spaces and strengthen civic ownership.

17/12/2025

During our PROXIMITIES study visit to Riga back in September, Mārtiņš Eņģelis from the Riga Planning Region shared how the Vidzeme Market is being transformed from a declining marketplace to a vibrant community hub 🛍️🏙️

Located at a key transport junction, the market is at the heart of a major regeneration effort that involves mapping services and engaging residents, schools, and local businesses to shape a neighbourhood that truly meets the needs of its community!

25/11/2025

Back in September, our PROXIMITIES partners visited Riga in Latvia to explore good practices in peripheral neighbourhoods 🇱🇻

In this video, Signe Pērkone from the Riga City Development Department shares insights from the visit to Ķengarags neighbourhood centre and the Dārziņi pilot territory 🌳 🏠 🚲

21/11/2025

21/11/2025

🇮🇹 On 28 October, the Municipality of Reggio Emilia launched a new phase of community engagement for the PROXIMITIES project.

Residents, schools, associations and local services took part in a creative walk and participatory workshop to reimagine safer, more accessible and more connected neighbourhoods inspired by the 15-minute city concept.

These activities show how European cooperation delivers real local impact through co-design and active participation. 🇪🇺 🤝

20/10/2025

The Southern Regional Assembly 🇮🇪 was delighted to welcome stakeholders from across the Southern Region to Waterford City for the third PROXIMITIES Regional Stakeholder Group meeting.

Representatives from national government, local authorities, state agencies, and academia joined discussions on how interregional learning can inform sustainable placemaking and spatial planning in the Southern Region.

The session also advanced work on the Sustainable Place Framework, being developed through PROXIMITIES to support implementation of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy.

🇪🇺

15/10/2025

The South-West Oltenia Regional Development Agency hosted its third PROXIMITIES regional working group meeting in Craiova, Romania 🇷🇴

The session brought together public institutions and regional stakeholders to discuss good practices from Manresa, Cork, and Riga and explore how these can inspire inclusive and sustainable development in South-West Oltenia.

🤝

29/09/2025

25/09/2025

Third PROXIMITIES Stakeholder Meeting in Reggio Emilia!

On 16 September, the Municipality of Reggio Emilia gathered local associations, residents, and experts at the Community Center Orologio to focus on the Via Premuda/Regina Pacis pilot neighborhood.

The discussion explored how the area can become more livable, inclusive, accessible, and sustainable – with strong input from Carlotta Bonvicini (Deputy Mayor for Climate Policies & Sustainable Mobility), Paolo Gandolfi (Head of Urban Mobility Department), and Arch. Matteo Dondé (expert in public space regeneration and cycling/pedestrian planning).

Over the coming months, the municipality will launch hands-on workshops where citizens and active stakeholders will co-design concrete actions for the future of the neighborhood.

This collaborative approach captures the true spirit of PROXIMITIES: working together to shape vibrant, people-centered cities 🌍💡🏙️

Interreg Europe Comune di Reggio Emilia Fondazione E35