INSPIRING SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES 持続可能なコミュニティのための��ンスパイアリングな解決策

持続可能なコミュニティのためのインスパイアリングな解決策

TEAM EXPO 2025 Programme /TEAM EXPO Pavilion /EXPO 2025, Osaka, Kansai

INVITATION – LOCATION LINES

TEAM EXPO PAVILION (L02), FUTURE LIFE VILLAGE – FUTURE LIFE ZONE, YUMESHIMA (EXPO 2025 OSAKA), 19 SEPTEMBER 2025

TEAM EXPO パビリオン(L02)、フューチャーライフ・ビレッジ(フューチャーライフゾーン)、夢洲(大阪・関西万 博会場)、2025年9月19日

The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week

BIODIVERSITY CHALLENGES: Climate and nature are inseparably intertwined; therefore, we treat them as a whole.

Biodiversity is vital for our planet and the future of humanity. Climate change is the main cause of biodiversity loss and therefore a risk to all. According to the Paris Agreement and COP26, ecosystem restoration is one of the most effective climate actions we can take.

We are embracing new opportunities to protect and restore ecosystems for the benefit of biodiversity conservation and the provision of natural goods and services.

PROTECTION OF POLLINATORS

Climate change with heating waves impacts pollinators, so water installations are organised in summer to help them

Different pollinators help biodiversity

We are working to solve the global issue of biodiversity loss in the cities, because of the lack of pollinators. Based on the purpose of the project outline above, we encourage all stakeholders to promote best practice and even exend their effords from Europe to a more global scale.

The beekeeping tradition in Slovenia and its outskirts goes back to the time of first prehistoric settlements and all project is developed conserning the skills and tradition.

Different pollinators help biodiversity

OUR RESULTS

Cooperation of all generations was achieved
The result of all these activities is the inclusion of Slovenian beekeeping on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Likewise, at our suggestion, the UN declared May 20 as World Bee Day.

GREEN CITIES FOR LIFE: CONNECTING DECARBONISATION, BIODIVERSITY, SPORT, AND PHOTOGRAPHY

We have developed digital innovations, sustainable traffic solutions, and solar power plants. Cities have improved their climate resilience by renovating buildings, installing new traffic infrastructure, improving pedestrian surfaces, creating green areas, and taking management actions to support healthy living and raise awareness.

View of Kranj and the bridge connecting the city’s old and new parts
Kranj with architect Jože Plečnik’s heritage
Kranj with architect Jože Plečnik’s heritage
The Kranj Mlaka project was developed by the newest technology
The city will upgrade the existing digital platform with public transport and traffic related data by integrating data sources available from contracted operators and other existing sources, and by additional equipment instalations.
The Central Wastewater Treatment Plant Kranj plays a key role in protecting the environment by treating wastewater from the Kranj area and its surroundings.
Using the new technology, we approach the local population with new and existing tools, resources, and expertise for reducing CO2 emissions in everyday life. The approach was developed and promoted at a one-stop platform accessible through an online portal. In the climate agreement, we defined all the key measures to achieve the goal of climate neutrality by 2030, as well as methods and financial sources for implementing the measures in five key areas: energy, mobility and transport, waste management and circular economy, green and blue infrastructure, and buildings.
CeKR Smart City Card is used in library, public busues (transportation), renting bicycles in Kranj, payment of parking lots as well as paying in restaurants and stores (in progress).
Municipalities of Kranj and Fukui developed partnership and cooperation
The City of Kranj is proud to participate at the Team Expo Pavilion of the EXPO Osaka 2025 during the thematic week The Future of Earth and Biodiversity as it offers a valuable opportunity to present our innovation, culture and sustainability efforts to a global audience. This is a chance to exchange valuable knowledge internationally and promote Kranj as a progressive city refering to the green transition and smart city solutions. As a member of the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030, the winner of the European Destination of Excellence Award 2023 and the recipient of the Most Progressive City in Slovenia Award 2025, we are receiving strong confirmation that we are on the right path.

MATJAŽ RAKOVEC, the Mayor of the City of Kranj

CITIES COOPERATION IN BIODIVERSITY ACTIONS

Kranj has been past industial city, but still reach in biodiversity. The city adress the importance of increasing urban green spaces and the need to improve and maintain existing green infrastructure as strategic elements of sustainable urban development.

We brought together all stakeholders and professional institutions, and we also launched a public landscape architecture competition to select landscape and architectural ideas that would best connect the spaces and protect the canyon.
The treatment basins at the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant Kranj are designed to purify wastewater efficiently and safely before it is returned to nature.
Our idea was to connect the city with the Kokra Canyon and enable visitors to fully experience the attraction, which was previously impossible due to inaccessibility and inadequate infrastructure, especially in the section downstream from the old town center on both banks.
The human fish, also known as the olm or proteus (Proteus anguinus), is an endemic amphibian that lives in the underground waters of the Dinaric karst

GUARDIANS OF RIVERS

Guardians of Rivers is a project connecting artists, environmentalist civil society groups, non-governmental organizations, experts, media and schools to proclaim in a unified voice: “Water is not only a basic human right, it is a necessity for life.”

Promotion of river protection

In the time of severe draughts and extreme floods project Guardians of Rivers builds bridges between art, environmentalism and civil society to promote protection of water, sustainable development and nature-based solutions to the existing crises.

Slovenian Constitution stipulates that everyone has the right to drinking water and that water resources are a public good, and stipulates the right to a healthy living environment. Human rights to drinking water and a healthy environment are further in EU directives such as the Drinking Water Directive and the Water Framework Directive.

Creative cooperation of non-governmental organisations
Guardians of the Rivers events
Guardians of the Rivers exhibition of photographs

With events on site, the Guardians of the Rivers develop long-term civil society initiatives for water ecosystem protection

Introducing Andreja Ravnak, an architect and internationally acclaimed photographer whose talent led to her being crowned global Travel Photographer of the Year in London, January 2023.

Photography: Andreja Ravnak

MESSAGE FROM TOMAŽ LANIŠEK, THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC ASSOCIATION OF SLOVENIA

As President of the Photographic Association of Slovenia (FZS),I am immensely proud to share a message about the profound power of our shared passion. Our mission at FZS is clear: to foster, promote, and elevate photographic activity and culture in Slovenia. Yet, this goes beyond mere art; photography is a powerful tool capable of driving significant societal progress. Every image we capture is more than a frozen moment– it is a voice, a testament, and a bridge between worlds.

Photography awakens empathy, dismantles stereotypes, and meticulously documents change. Through our lenses, we can illuminate forgotten truths, celebrate beauty, and challenge the status quo. In an age of information overload, a clear, impactful photograph becomes a beacon, directing attention, sparking dialogue, and inspiring action. Thus, I urge you: create not just images, but create impact.

Be the visionaries who, through their lens, contribute to a better tomorrow. Together, through the art of photography, we can build a more aware, compassionate, and connected society. I firmly believe a bright future awaits us, one where Slovenian photography, with its exceptional creativity and social responsibility, will continue to set new benchmarks.

INSPIRED BY SPORT

Through sports activities, we achieve extensive social and sustainable development goals (SDGs) by incorporating all aspects of sustainable development and the environmental protection code, thus contributing to the development of society and local communities.

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A WORD FROM FRANJO BOBINAC,

President of the Slovenian Olympic Committee – Association of Sports Federations

A sustainable and interconnected society forms the cornerstone of our shared future. Sport, Olympism, and global events like Expo 2025 carry a unique power and responsibility in this regard. Sport brings people together across continents, while the Olympic values of excellence, respect, and friendship further reinforce this sense of unity. This unifying force is essential in tackling the most pressing challenges of our time, including climate change.

I welcome the publication of GREEN CITIES FOR LIFE: Connecting Decarbonisation, Biodiversity, Sport, and Photography, which brings these crucial themes together. By working collectively, acting responsibly, and harnessing the transformative power of sport, we can shape a better and more sustainable world for all.

SLOVENIA IS AMONG THE BEST IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF OLYMPIC MEDALS PER CAPITA

FILM: View here

Green Cities for Life: Connecting Decarbonisation, Biodiversity, Sport, and Photography

Digital book: View here

Voices For Sustainability / PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

Interactive flipbook: View here

ABOUT THE PROJECT:

PROJECT PROJECT DESIGN AMD MANAGEMENT: Stane Jeršič - Artkontakt Studio Bast ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: Bojana Čampa, Nives Cesar, Tomaž Lanišek, Vesna Kolar Planinšič, Stane Jeršič, Zvone Es TEXT: Stane Jeršič, Vesna Kolar Planinšič, Bojana Čampa VISUAL IDENTITY: Sebastjan Kurmanšek DESIGN: Andreja Ravnak MUSIC COMPOSER: Gregor Jagodič WEB PAGES: Aleks Jeršič, Stane Jeršič VIDEO: Stane Jeršič, Aleks Jeršič EXPERT COLLABORATORS: Aleks Jeršič, Alja Bulič, Andreja Ravnak, Barbara Čeferin - Galerija Fotografija, Benjamin Šeliga, Blaž Perko, City of Fukui, City of Kranj, City of Ljubljana, City of Velenje Danilo Bevk, Davor Dolenčić, Denis Oštir, Erik Valenčič, Eva Romih, Franjo Bobinac, Photographic Association of Slovenia, Gardians of rivers, Gorazd Trušnovec, Gregor Jagodič, Jana Zupančič Grašič, Jošt Gantar, Karla Sitar, Karmen Žirovnik, Katarina Prešeren, Klemen Malovrh, Prof. Lučka Kajfež Bogataj, Mateja Šeliga, Matjaž Rakovec, Mojca Finc, Nataša Jazbinšek Sršen, Nives Cesar, Olympic Committee of Slovenia, Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association, Polona Novak, Polona Prosen Šprajc, Tanja Rotovnik, Tadeja Jegrišnik, Tjaša Ficko, Tomaž Lanišek, Zvone Es PHOTOGRAPHERS: Aleks Jeršič, Aleš Fevžer, Amadej Bezovšek, Andreja Ravnak, Andrej Pevnik, Andrej Krže, Arne Hodalič, Barbara Čeferin, Bojana Čampa, Borut Krajnc, Boštjan Noč, Bruno Toič, Danilo Bevk, Davorin Tome, Emil Kodat, Gorazd Trušnovec, Gardians of the river, Gašer Štifter, Igor Pečnik, Janez Tarman, Janez Marolt, Ljubljana Marsh Nature Park Public Institute, Photographic Association of Slovenia, Jeršič Stane, Jošt Gantar, Luka Dakskobler, Marjan Klepec, Matic Zorman, Miran Kambič, Miško Kranjec, Nik Ravan, Nino Kolarjev, Olympic Committee of Slovenia, Stanko Gruden, Stojan Spetič, Tomaž Lanišek, Tomaž Lauko, Tomaž Sedej, Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief of the Republic of Slovenia, Uroš Abram, Žiga Koritnik MEDIA SPONSOR: Radio-Television Slovenia - Radio Slovenia

CREATED BY
Stane Jeršič

Credits:

Artkontakt Studio Bast, Mestna občina Kranj, Olimpijski komite Slovenije, Fotografska zveza Slovenije