EU projects
Seeing disability with different eyes
The solaris Förderzentrum für Jugend und Umwelt gGmbH Sachsen organised a study visit as part of the MAKE IT HAPPEN! project, hosted a study visit for a total of 18 guests from France, Spain, Portugal and Italy on 4 and 5 November 2021.
The aim of the project, which is co-funded by the ERASMUS+ programme, is to discover connections, practical examples, challenges and initiatives of European neighbours in terms of access to education, training and mobility for people with disabilities.
During the study visit, experiences and practical examples from various organisations were exchanged with the aim of learning from each other and gaining a broader view of both the topic of disability and the programme's objectives.
The project will run until June 2022 and is also intended to build a network that can be used by the participants beyond the project period.
R-EU-FTOP
As part of the European Creative Roof Network (ECRN), the R-EU-FTOP project is focussing on unused urban space, i.e. rooftops. The project, which runs from 2020-2024, is funded by the EU with 1,979,281 euros. It presents itself as a collaboration between the nine cities of Amsterdam, Antwerp, Barcelona, Belfast, Chemnitz, Faro, Gothenburg, Nicosia and Rotterdam. The European Creative Rooftop Network Nomad Academy, in which Chemnitz is also involved, was also set up to promote cooperation between these cities.
As part of the R-EU-FTOP project, the first step, the mapping of the rooftops, has been completed in Chemnitz. Internationally, the Rooftopedia reference work is currently being developed. This is a reference work for rooftop projects; there are currently nine entries for Chemnitz, and it is possible to add to and expand it on an ongoing basis.
Further ideas are currently being developed. In addition, a lobbying campaign for rooftop development is to take place by May and various pilot projects designed for sustainability are to be developed.
INTERLACE aims to make cities more liveable, resilient and inclusive
INTERLACE, an EU-funded project, supports cities in the renaturalisation of urban ecosystems. This is also the origin of the name, which stands for "International Cooperation to Restore and Connect Urban Environments in Latin America and Europe". Translated into German, it means: "International co-operation to restore and connect urban ecosystems in Latin America and Europe".
The project was launched in September 2020 and will continue until August 2024. In addition to Chemnitz, the cities of Kraków (Poland), Granollers (Spain), Envigado (Colombia) and Portoviejo (Ecuador), as well as the CBIMA association of municipalities (Costa Rica), are currently taking part. There are also various partners such as the Ecologic Institute Berlin and the WWF.
The central objectives in Chemnitz are the renaturalisation of fallow land and environmental education, for example to reduce heat stress in the city and at the same time (re)establish biodiversity and the connection between people and nature.