Sleeping Beauty kicks off!

How can we reimagine neglected urban spaces through nature-based solutions and the values of the New European Bauhaus? That is the core of the new project Sleeping Beauty, which started with a intense three-day kick-off meeting in our headquarters in Bolzano.

The meeting opened with elevator pitches and poster presentations from the project’s six pilot sites, each sharing their implementation plans and local challenges. Interactive sessions introduced the project’s activities and work packages, setting the tone for collaborative work ahead.

One of the highlights was an experimental contest session: a hands-on exercise simulating the future prototype competition within the project. Working in teams, researchers designed nature-based solutions for a public square in Bolzano, and voted for a winning concept. The day concluded at the Naturmuseum Südtirol, where participants explored the museum and its temporary exhibition.

The meeting included also coordination and strategy meetings, preparing for the next stages of the project. The final day connected the European scope of the project with local perspectives. Participants met Bolzano-based initiatives related to urban sustainability and took part in a guided city walk, discovering the local context and inspiration for future Sleeping Beauty activities.