Le Gouvernement du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg

European projects

LivableCities Project

Towards greener and more resilient cities in North-West Europe

As part of the INTERREG North-West Europe LivableCities project, thirteen partners from six countries are working together to address the major challenges associated with urban sprawl. Biodiversity loss, air pollution and climate vulnerability are among the key issues to be tackled. Excessive soil sealing has led to a reduction in green spaces, the degradation of soil functions, the destruction of natural habitats, an intensification of urban heat islands, reduced rainwater infiltration and declining air quality.

Green and blue infrastructure for our cities

The LivableCities project aims to create, develop and connect green and blue infrastructure in order to:
• Restore biodiversity
• Improve air quality
• Strengthen the climate resilience of urban areas

In practical terms, this can involve depaving schoolyards, greening streets or restoring the natural state of riverbanks. These actions help transform sealed and artificialised areas and reconnect them to the green and blue networks of our cities.

Objectives :
• Promote green and blue infrastructure and their connectivity
• Improve biodiversity, air quality and the climate resilience of cities
• Transform artificialised urban areas and (re)connect them to green and blue networks across North-West Europe

The LivableCities project demonstrates the power of European cooperation in making our cities more sustainable, resilient and liveable. By combining technical innovation, awareness-raising and training, it paves the way for urban spaces that are better connected to nature and for a more environmentally responsible future.

Key project information
Dates: 18 November 2025 – 30 June 2029

Project partners

  • Germany: IZES gGmbH (Lead Partner), Kreisstadt Saarlouis, Stadt Landau in der Pfalz, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU)
  • Belgium: Stad Antwerpen, Universiteit Gent
  • France: Afpa, BUILDERS School of Engineering, Plante & Cité, Ville de Strasbourg
  • Ireland: Comhairle Cathrach Chorcaí (Cork City Council)
  • Luxembourg: Ministère de l’Education nationale, de l’Enfance et de la Jeunesse (SFP)
  • Netherlands: Gemeente Utrecht

Funding: The project was selected under the Interreg North-West Europe 2021–2027 programme, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF):

ERDF funding (60%): €4,948,682

Total budget: €8,247,804

ECOPIERRE

A Greener Greater Region

Dry Stone and Resilience in the Greater Region: An Innovative Sector Supporting a Sustainable, Circular Economy Construction Technique

Objectives

Dry Stone and Resilience in the Greater Region: An Innovative Sector Supporting a Sustainable, Circular Economy Construction Technique

The ECOPIERRE project aims to boost a sustainable and circular dry stone construction sector across the Greater Region through a virtual competence hub (website) and various activities structured around three key areas:

  • Material: Raise awareness among and train construction stakeholders in the responsible use of stone, while promoting reuse and recycling by facilitating connections between professionals.
  • Profession: Train professionals specialised in dry stone masonry techniques and promote the recognition of the dry stone wall builder profession.
  • Market: Structure and develop a competence hub bringing together stakeholders from across the sector in the Greater Region in order to stimulate the dry stone market and promote its integration into the development of built and natural environments.

Budget

  • Total budget: €1,907,020.00
  • European Union co-financing (ERDF): €1,144,212.00 (60%)
  • Interreg Greater Region 2021–2027 Programme

Dates

  • Start: 01/01/2025
  • End: 31/12/2027

Partnership

  • 7 financial partners
    • Conseil pour le développement économique de la construction (Lead Partner)
    • Institut de Formation Sectoriel du Bâtiment (IFSB)
    • Agence wallonne du PatrimoineRéseau belge de la pierre sèche
    • Pierres et marbres de Wallonie
    • Centre National de Formation Professionnelle Continue – Ettelbruck
    • Conseil d’Architecture, d’Urbanisme et d’Environnement de Meurthe-et-Moselle

– 21 methodological partners

  • Centre provincial de Formation en Agriculture et Ruralité (CPFAR)
  • Administration de la Nature et des Forêts (ANF)
  • Ministère du Logement et de l’Aménagement du territoire
  • Institut Viti-Vinicole of Luxembourg
  • Chambre des Métiers Luxembourg (CdM)
  • Fondation Hëllef fir d’Natur de natur&ëmwelt
  • Syndicat intercommunal à vocation multiple Section Nature (SAS)
  • Natur- & Geopark Mëllerdall (NGPM)
  • Parc naturel de la Haute-Sûre
  • Cluster Eco-Construction ASBL
  • Parc naturel Haute-Sûre Forêt d’Anlier (PNHSFA)
  • Parc naturel des deux Ourthes (PNDO)
  • Les découvertes de Comblain asbl
  • Union Wallonne des Architectes
  • LTA – Lycée Technique Agricole Gilsdorf
  • RFM : Regionalinitiative « Faszination Mosel »
  • LAG – Lokale Aktionsgruppe Mosel
  • L’Office wallon de la formation et de l’Emploi (FOREM)
  • Syndicat mixte de gestion du Parc naturel régional de Lorraine (PNRL)
  • Entwicklungskonzept Oberes Moseltal (EOM)
  • Institut wallon de Formation en Alternance et des Indépendants et Petites et Moyennes Entreprises (IFAPME)

ERDF : European Regional Development Fund