periASTY “Kick-off” in Brussels – a joint step towards climate-neutral peri-urban areas across Europe
Photo: Archive of periASTY Project Partnership
The periASTY project, co-funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe programme, officially started with a two-day kick-off meeting held on 4–5 February 2026 in Brussels. The objective of periASTY is to foster the integrated transition of peri-urban areas towards climate neutrality by advancing innovations in mobility, energy, industry, and governance.
The project is coordinated by ERTICO – European Road Transport Telematics Implementation Coordination Organisation, which also hosted the kick-off meeting. The consortium brings together 36 partners from twelve European countries.
periASTY develops a suite of technological and non-technological innovations – the periInnovations – addressing mobility, energy, industry, and governance. The solutions will be co-created with citizens, authorities, and stakeholders, and are aimed to decrease car dependency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance industrial efficiency and circularity, and to promote renewable energy and integrated planning.
The innovations will be demonstrated in nine peri-urban Living Labs across Europe: Dublin (Ireland), Limassol (Cyprus), Ljubljana Urban Region (Slovenia), Marseille (France), Guimarães (Portugal), Helmond (Netherlands), Kalamata (Greece), Sofia (Bulgaria), and Sisslerfeld (Switzerland). Through these demonstrations, the project will contribute to knowledge development, governance models, and capacity building to accelerate the green transformation of peri-urban and surrounding urban areas.
The first day of the meeting focused on partner introductions and an overview of the project structure, work packages, and key objectives. Particular emphasis was placed on the concept of Living Labs, where innovative solutions in mobility, energy, industry, and governance will be demonstrated in real-life settings. On the second day, partners presented the planned innovations and the demonstration objectives of each Living Lab in greater detail. A representative of the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) outlined the expectations of the European Commission and provided valuable guidance to ensure a strong start to the project. Special attention was also given to project management, as well as financial and administrative aspects, to ensure effective coordination and high-quality collaboration from the outset.
Role of RRA LUR
The Regional Development Agency of Ljubljana Urban Region (RRA LUR) plays a key role in the periASTY project as the leading regional public partner responsible for establishing and coordinating the peri-urban Living Lab in the Ljubljana peri-urban area. RRA LUR contributes to two pillars of the periInnovations. Within periGOVERNANCE, it will develop and design a governance framework to support the comprehensive and integrated transition of peri-urban areas towards climate neutrality, with a strong focus on capacity building for local authorities and stakeholders. Within periMOBILITY, and in cooperation with the Slovenian partner NOMAGO, RRA LUR will co-design, implement, monitor, and evaluate innovative sustainable mobility solutions within the Living Lab, contributing to the climate-neutral transition.
Latest updates on the project can be followed on periASTY | LinkedIn.
