The partners of the DIVERSE project convened in Ljubljana on 25–26 February 2025 for the third transnational meeting, hosted by the Slovenian project team. The two-day event combined knowledge exchange, strategic planning, and a field visit that shed light on the intricate relationship between land use, biodiversity, and sustainable bioenergy pathways in the Alpine Space.
Exploring the Ljubljansko barje Landscape Park
The first day featured a site visit to the Ljubljansko barje Landscape Park, an iconic natural area located just outside the city. The Park encompasses Slovenia’s largest complex of wet grasslands, interwoven with hedges, forests, shrubs, and watercourses. Its exceptional biodiversity is closely linked to traditional, extensive meadow management practices, such as late mowing and careful fertilisation, which have shaped the landscape over generations.
With around 12,000 inhabitants, the Park area maintains a balanced land-use structure:
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46% meadows
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31% fields and gardens
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9% forests
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5% urban areas
These land-use patterns and conservation practices provided partners with valuable insights into how ecosystem preservation can coexist with sustainable biomass availability — a key challenge addressed by DIVERSE.
Strategic Discussions and Next Steps
On the second day, partners met in Ljubljana to advance project planning and coordination. The meeting focused on:
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reviewing progress across work packages,
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discussing the next phase of pilot activities,
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preparing for upcoming milestones, and
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refining approaches for integrating biodiversity considerations into regional bioenergy strategies.
The discussions reinforced the project’s shared vision: promoting biodiversity-friendly bioenergy production and supporting regional actors in implementing sustainable solutions aligned with the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (REDIII).
Strengthening Collaboration Across the Alpine Space
The meeting reaffirmed the strong cooperation among partners and their commitment to advancing innovative, sustainable pathways for bioenergy in the Alpine region. The combination of field experience and collaborative planning provided fresh momentum as the consortium moves into the next phase of the project.
The DIVERSE team extends its gratitude to the hosts and all partners for their active participation and contributions.