Aligned with the New European Bauhaus Vision
The kick-off meeting opened with a presentation by project officer Veronika Schroepfer from the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), which manages the funding for BRICKS. She outlined the overarching vision of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative, offering key guidance on grant implementation, management, and reporting to maximize our collective impact. Following her address, Professor Alessandro Deserti of Politecnico di Milano, the project coordinator, articulated BRICKS’ ambitious core mission: turning local neighborhoods into dynamic living laboratories where citizens, public authorities, and social entrepreneurs co-create sustainable, inclusive, and beautiful futures together.
The baton then passed on to the 22 consortium members, each of whom introduced their team members, organisation overview, and key ambitions for the project. This interactive exchange broke the ice and established a strong foundation for deep, lasting collaboration over the coming years.
Day one concluded with a focus on project governance, clarifying key work package objectives, timelines, and partner roles for smooth implementation.
Spotlight on the pilot cities
Day two centered on the five local pilots driving the BRICKS mission to demonstrate how social entrepreneurship can transform urban spaces. Following an overview of how experimental knowledge will be gathered and tested across five target cities, each pilot coalition articulated the local journey, touching upon a number of key elements:
- Getting to know the place: A visual dive into each selected area via aerial maps and photographs to introduce the local context;
- Local Challenge(s) to be addressed: Identifying core community needs and the rationale for intervention;
- What we want to achieve: Defining the long-term vision, focussing on expected urban transformations and long-term goals;
- Social Innovation Pilots: Detailing key services and activities tailored to local needs;
- How we will make it happen: Outlining the proposed implementation steps and co-creation approach;
- Building the coalition: Providing an overview of local partners already involved, as well as other stakeholders and community members yet to be mobilised;
- Expected results and future potential: Focusing on sustainability, inclusion, aesthetic value, and model replication.
The meeting wrapped up with a Q&A session and an outline of immediate next steps leading up to the consortium’s first in-person meeting in Milan. Stay tuned for more updates on how BRICKS is working towards vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive European neighborhoods!
