Nature Moves Us: green cities, active living – EUKN Policy Lab for Slovenia – Ljubljana, 12th January 2026

Join the upcoming EUKN Policy Lab for Slovenia “Nature moves us: Green cities, active living”, on 12 January 2026 in Lubljana, to explore how nature-based solutions and green-blue infrastructure can promote healthier, more active urban lifestyles. Co-organised with the Slovenian Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning (MNVP), the event will bring together policy experts and practitioners to discuss the urban nature–health nexus and identify strategies for integrating Planetary Health and the 24-hour movement paradigm into urban policy and planning.

Climate change, air pollution, and biodiversity loss have rapidly evolved from environmental issues into pressing public health challenges. As ecological stressors intensify and urbanisation accelerates, cities have become pivotal arenas for addressing the health–environment nexus. Ensuring equitable access to nature and integrating green-blue infrastructure into spatial planning are essential for improving quality of life, reducing health inequalities, and strengthening both individual and community resilience. At the same time, cities across Europe are experiencing low levels of health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) and rising rates of sedentary behaviour, placing increasing strain on public health and health systems.

Urban nature can play a powerful role in shifting this trajectory. How can nature-based solutions (NBS) support more active lifestyles? How can accessible, high-quality green spaces promote walking, cycling, social interaction, and overall wellbeing?

Guided by these questions, the Policy Lab will strengthen collaboration between spatial planning and public health sectors, while promoting innovative and inclusive NBS strategies that enable healthier, nature-positive urban environments. It will showcase European case studies illustrating how well-designed green spaces can foster active living and social wellbeing, and will examine how the 24-hour movement paradigm can be meaningfully embedded in local and national policy frameworks. Ultimately, the event will identify practical pathways for applying Planetary Health principles across Slovenian and European urban contexts.

Registrations are now open!