Posts in category: News & Events

The 1st Plenary Meeting of the SPICE project took place on 22–23 January 2026 in Barcelona (Spain), hosted by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) at the Faculty of Translation and Interpreting. The meeting brought together all project partners, both onsite and online, marking a key milestone in the early implementation phase of the project.
The plenary meeting provided a valuable opportunity for the consortium to align on the project’s vision, review progress across all work packages, and jointly shape the next steps towards the development and testing of SPICE’s participatory co-creation framework and digital toolkit.

Day 1: Progress and Coordination
The first day focused on project alignment and progress review across all work packages. Partners discussed key milestones achieved so far, upcoming deliverables, and the need for close coordination to ensure coherence between participatory methodologies, digital tool development, pilot planning, impact assessment, and communication activities.
Special attention was given to inclusivity, accessibility, evaluation approaches, and preparation for the pilot phase across the demonstration sites. An open discussion among pilot partners highlighted practical challenges, stakeholder engagement, and the role of local dissemination events in launching pilot activities.

Day 2: Harmonisation and Tool Development
The second day was dedicated to collaboration and testing. An interactive harmonisation session enabled partners to jointly explore challenges related to citizen participation, institutional engagement, and the long-term sustainability of co-creation processes.
This was followed by a session where early mock-ups of the SPICE digital tools (chatbot, 3D Scene Editor, mobile app, platform) were presented and discussed. Partner feedback will directly inform the next development steps, with upcoming testing planned at major events at selected European events and academic settings.

Looking Ahead
SPICE project moves towards actual pilot activities and real-world testing. The consortium members also defined specific objectives under a certain time framework relating to next steps. With strong collaboration and a clear roadmap ahead, the SPICE project continues to build momentum towards inclusive, citizen-centred urban co-creation.

🔆 Three exciting days at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 in Barcelona! 
 
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, our project partner in Barcelona, was part of a booth, navigating visitors to SPICE webpage, while UAB’s representatives, Pilar Orero and azadeh shojaei visited “The Netherlands” booth to understand how and what type of data they gather to determine vulnerable neighbourhoods. It’s been inspiring to explore how cities around the world are addressing urban challenges through innovative and sustainable solutions apps digitaltools, and platforms to make cities smarter, greener, and more inclusive 🤲  
 
Furthermore, on November 6, within the framework of Research & Academia sessions, SPICE was widely presented by researcher Estella Oncins Noguer in ITech X Cities stage, showcasing the objectives of our project, which aims to develop a participatory and co-creation model to build diverse, inclusive, accessible, and sustainable cities. A citizen-led approach towards sustainable urban transformation in reshaping neighborhoods 🏙️  
 
SPICE - Shaping Sustainable Places, Empowering Communities 💡  
 
📸 Credits: Xarxa AccessCat  

💬 💬 How might we? 
💬 How might we turn place-based innovation into a concrete tool for societal transformation?  
 
Our project partner EURADA – European Association of Development Agencies is proudly working on initiatives that support regions and cities across Europe with knowledge and tools to tackle territorial challenges 💡 
 
Within the Capacity Building Programme of the EU Preparatory Action ‘Innovation for place-based transformation’, EURADA will facilitate a thematic Working Group on the New European Bauhaus NEB with the aim of learning about concrete challenges and experiences from Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Slovenia and Slovakia, that could inspire SPICE creating a new model of participatory co-creation in (re)shaping neighborhoods in Thessaloniki, Bielsko-Biala, Cuba, and Rovaniemi.
 
🙌 Stay tuned for more challenge-oriented Experimentation Journeys and initiatives relating to NEB 
 
🎧 If you want to take on a journey to vibrant cities and remarkable regions, exploring their stories, successes, and strategies for innovation, then follow #WhereItAllHappens 🎙️ podcast, and find out how local leaders and experts are harnessing innovation to build a more sustainable, digital, and opportunity-rich future 
 

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) participated in the COMCLARA International Conference as a representative of the SPICE project, presenting our work on clear communication and inclusive co-design. Ms. azadeh shojaei, from UAB, focused on:  
💭 how communication accessibility supports meaningful participation in urban decision-making, especially for vulnerable and marginalized groups and  
💭 how SPICE effectuates these principles in real-world contexts. 
 
During the panel discussion, a question about the SPICE pilot sites across Europe arose, to which Azadeh outlined each pilot’s specific social and spatial needs and how participatory methods are being tailored accordingly.  
 
The panel also explored the role of art as a medium of inclusion, particularly in engaging communities that often feel excluded from conventional planning processes. To this edge, SPICE will aim, among others, to integrate artistic, visual and digital facilitation techniques to foster trust, dialogue, and co-creation, turning communication into both a practical tool and a form of empowerment for all community members. 
 

🌿 One of our pilot partners, Municipality of Thessaloniki, joined the event “Green Living Areas Mission – Second Institutional Policy Dialogue” that was held in Brussels within the framework of Interreg Euro-MED Green Living Areas. 
 
On October 16, Dr. Georgios Papastergios, Head of the Department of Operational Planning and Development Programs (Resilient Thessaloniki) presented Thessaloniki’s Action Plan and Investment Plan towards achieving climate neutrality by 2030, as part of the city’s commitment to the European Mission “Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities.” 🌍 
 
Furthermore, he highlighted the key role of European projects supporting the city’s sustainability strategy, including among others, SPICE, a Horizon Europe project, that aims to provide a new model of participatory co-creation in (re)shaping neighborhoods, while it actively supports the European Green Deal and aligns with the principles of the New European Bauhaus (NEB). 
 
This participation reaffirms Thessaloniki’s commitment to sustainable development, innovation, and resilience, paving the way for a greener and smarter future. 💚

SPICE project proudly joined the European Researchers’ Night on Friday 26th of September 🌍 
 
Our partner in Barcelona, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) was present in CosmoCaixa with:  
💬 Dr Estella Oncins, Ethical advisor and senior researcher in Accessibility and Artificial Intelligence, joining the round table “Accessibility as a corner stone of intelligent cities” and being part of a debate, where she presented innovative community engagement approaches within the framework of SPICE Project 
 
💬 Dr Sarah McDonagh and Professor Pilar Orero facilitating the workshop “Let’s build an inclusive city” and navigating participants through pathways for building livable neighborhoods that empower citizens and highlight local human needs. 
 
✨ The night was filled with curiosity, energy, and meaningful conversations with children, young people, and adults.  
 
Together, we aim at bringing science and digital tools closer to a sustainable society and reflect on the role of new technologies in our lives. 

We are proud and happy to have taken part in the 7th Lighthouse Cluster Meeting of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) on 25–26 September in Rotterdam.  
 
Over two inspiring days, NEB Lighthouse projects came together to share best practices, reflect on their achievements, and explore the transition to the next generation of NEB initiatives. The program featured presentations from EHHUR, NEB-STAR, Desire an Irresistible Circular Society, Bauhaus of the Seas Sails, and CULTUURCAMPUS, alongside new projects such as UTOPIZE, BIOARC, EU-CIRCBUILT and of course our SPICE project. 
 

Our Project Coordinator, Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH) shared what SPICE is bringing to the New European Bauhaus framework: its vision, expected results, and scope, including the demo sites in four different countries (Greece, Poland, Portugal, Finland).  
 
A special thanks to the CULTUURCAMPUS project that hosted this meeting and offered an inspiring glimpse into how NEB principles are brought to life in practice, having also organized a super interesting visit in Grondstoffenstation recycling station, a lunch by mensa-mensa and a guided tour of the renovated St. Louis School, now home to Cultuur&Campus Putselaan.

On 26th of September 2025, world leaders, innovators, and changemakers gathered to spotlight how digital technologies can connect, empower, and transform lives and communities 🌍 
 
🧩 Our partner: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
🎙️ Featured speaker: Pilar Orero 
🎧 joined the online session: “A Digital Tool towards Understanding Ethical and Legal Implications of Artificial Intelligence”  
💡 showcasing how SPICE will drive digital innovation and establish an evidence-based framework for the co-design and co-creation of public spaces and impact across European neighbourhoods. 

Our Horizon Europe funded project will be presented at the European Researchers Night by our project partner Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) that is organising two sessions in Spain:

🗓  Friday 26^th of September ⏱  18:00 – 22:00 CET 📌 MUSEO DE LA CIENCIA COSMOCAIXA

Got involved in:

• the round table “Accessibility as a corner stone of intelligent cities”  
  => and took part in a debate, where Dr Estella Oncins, ethical advisor and senior researcher in Accessibility and Artificial Intelligence, presented the inclusive approach within the framework of the SPICE Project
  
  
• the workshop “Let’s build an inclusive city”
  => and interacted with Dr Sarah McDonagh and Professor Pilar Orero who guided participants through pathways for building an inclusive city.

For more information => Researchers Night 2025

The European Researchers’ Night (ERN) is a large, annual public event, organized every last Friday of September across hundreds of European cities. This year it will take place on September 26th. ERN makes research and innovation accessible to the public by bringing citizens and researchers together through entertaining and educational activities.

Funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe Programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, the event aims to show the public how research impacts daily life, encourage young people to pursue research careers, and generally foster a greater understanding and appreciation of science. 

A multi-dimensional consortium of actors from research and innovation, entrepreneurship, and local authorities, coordinates the new European project “Sustainable Public spaces through Inclusive Community Engagement”, abbreviated as SPICE.

A total of fifteen organizations from distinguished universities, local government entities, research institutions, and consulting agencies related to design and impact driven solutions, collaborate under the umbrella of SPICE Project:

EL: Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH); Business and Cultural Development Centre (KEPA); Draxis Research Ventures (DREVEN); Municipality of Thessaloniki
IT: Codesign Toscana; IRIDRA
ES: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
FR: Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Nantes (ensa Nantes)
AT: Impact Hub Network
BE: EURADA – European Association of Development Agencies
PL: Agencja Rozwoju Regionalnego S.A. (ARRSA)
PT: Make it Better; Município De Cuba
FI: Arctic Factory | Palvelumuotoilu; Rovaseudun Markkinakiinteistöt Oy

On July 16 and 17, 2025, the Kick-off meeting of the project took place at the premises of CERTH, which is also the project’s lead partner.

The kick-off meeting focused on setting grounds for a successful project implementation, defining roles and responsibilities, planning next steps, while also ensuring everyone understands their contribution and accountability.

By fostering interdisciplinary synergies, leveraging advanced digital tools, and promoting circular and regenerative construction practices, SPICE project partners envision an inclusive participation through innovative co-design processes for planning public spaces under the principles of the New European Bauhaus and the core EU values for social cohesion.

This project is funded by the European Union and is being implemented under Horizon Europe Programme for research and innovation.