On 17–18 June 2026, the SPICE consortium convened in Florence, Italy, for its second plenary meeting, bringing together project partners to review progress, exchange knowledge, and plan the next phase of activities. Hosted by IRIDRA and Codesign Toscana, the two-day event provided an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration and align efforts across all work packages.
During the meeting, partners reflected on the significant achievements accomplished during the project’s first year, including the successful delivery of key milestones and deliverables. Discussions focused on the advancement of the SPICE participatory framework, the development of the co-creation methodology and toolkit, the integration of innovative digital tools, and preparations for the pilot demonstrations that will be implemented across the project’s four case-study locations.
A central theme throughout the plenary was the New European Bauhaus (NEB) approach and the integration of its core values – Sustainability, Inclusion, and Beauty – into all project activities. Partners explored ways to further strengthen the “Beauty” dimension within participatory processes and discussed how artistic and cultural perspectives can contribute to more meaningful and impactful community engagement.
The second day featured interactive workshops and capacity-building activities, allowing partners to collaboratively test and refine elements of the SPICE toolkit and evaluation framework. Participants also took part in a dedicated technical session showcasing the latest developments of the SPICE digital ecosystem, including the co-creation platform, the CitiVoice mobile application, the AI assistant, and the 3D Scene Editor.
The plenary concluded with strategic discussions on upcoming priorities, including pilot implementation, monitoring and impact assessment activities, dissemination actions, and preparations for the project’s mid-term review. Partners also agreed on a series of actions to further develop and validate the SPICE co-creation model and digital tools over the coming months.
The Florence meeting marked another important milestone for the SPICE project, reinforcing the consortium’s shared commitment to developing innovative participatory approaches that empower communities to co-create sustainable, inclusive, and beautiful urban environments in line with the values of the New European Bauhaus.
