The kick-off meeting of the Competency Group in Maribor, Slovenia took place on the 6th of December 2023. After the introductory presentation of the UPSURGE project, demonstration, and the purpose of the Competency Group, participants discussed possibilities for collaboration and connections with their stakeholders.
One of the ideas was to include students, especially in addressing the economic aspects of the implemented NBS solutions through their master’s theses. It was highlighted that it is possible to integrate existing ecological events within the kindergarten, such as Earth Day, with educational workshops for children along the Pekrski Creek, such as planting and caring for plants. The other expert suggested informative science boards on-site as an excellent way to inform the local population about sustainable solutions. Participants agreed that the sensor system should be established to collect data that is as meaningful and comparable as possible, such as some in shaded areas, others in sunny locations, or more amid greenery and others near a busy road. There was an upgrading of some already conducted sensor measurements in the creek area, particularly in water sensing.
It was determined that the most suitable way to engage the population, both older and younger, is on-site with educational and interactive activities, such as outdoor exercise, educational trails, children’s exhibitions, and similar. Competency Group participants are expected to reconvene in mid-January 2024, where they will further define the content and schedule of their activities for the whole year.
