The 5th Local Stakeholder Workshop in Szombathely

On the 15th of January 2025, the city of Szombathely hosted its 5th Local Stakeholder Workshop. Our partners at ABUD together with the city of Szombathely moderated the event, which brought together an enthusiastic group of stakeholders, including gardeners, landscape architects, and municipal representatives, to collectively envision a greener, more sustainable future for the city.

The workshop provided a creative and collaborative platform where participants shared ideas and engaged in meaningful discussions focusing on transforming attitudes toward landscaping and gardening. Through interactive activities and a moderated exchange, the group developed innovative approaches to enhancing urban green spaces, emphasizing sustainability, resilience, and biodiversity.

Key highlights of the workshop included:

• Developing actionable ideas to promote climate-adaptive landscaping.
• Engaging in discussions that fostered mutual understanding and collaboration.
• Voting for the most impactful ideas and making personal commitments to implement them.

As one of the main outcomes of the LSW, a collection of ideas aimed at increasing environmental awareness and appreciation of local natural assets was brainstormed. Moving forward, the ABUD and the Municipality teams will work closely to analyze the feasibility of the most popular ideas and align them with the goals of the JUSTNature activation process. In the next phase, participants will be invited to collaborate on the detailed planning and execution of one selected idea, which the Municipality has committed to co-finance.

Another highlight of the discussions was the need for stronger integration of climate-conscious thinking into local decision-making. Participants concluded that sustainability should not only be a guiding principle in urban planning but also a fundamental aspect of leadership and governance.

To support this shift, an economist has been invited to City Hall in early March to lead a workshop for city leaders, representatives, and office heads. The session will focus on how economic and policy decisions can align with climate adaptation strategies, ensuring that sustainability is embedded into everyday municipal operations.

Beyond institutional changes, raising awareness among residents is just as crucial. To encourage sustainable practices at the community level, a dedicated "Green Page" will now appear in Szombathely’s municipal weekly newspaper every two weeks for the next year. Topics will include environmentally friendly gardening, maintenance guidelines for residential green spaces, and the ecological importance of urban drainage systems.

The workshop also introduced successful international examples of urban climate adaptation, including the replacement of traditional lawns with wildflower meadows, the creation of community gardens, and efforts to control invasive plant species. These insights will help inform Szombathely’s ongoing sustainability efforts.

All in all, the 5th Local Stakeholder Workshop demonstrated how collaboration between municipalities, local entrepreneurs, and community members can effectively address global challenges on a local scale. By fostering partnerships and prioritizing green initiatives, Szombathely is setting a powerful example of how cities can adapt to climate change while enhancing the quality of life for its residents!