Udine, Italy, September 18, 2026 – The partners of the SITAR project—Supporting the Construction Industry in the Transition to Climate-Friendly Practices in the Alpine Region—met in Udine for the project’s final in-person event. Representatives from all partner organizations gathered to review the achievements made, discuss the remaining outcomes, and outline paths for future collaboration beyond the official project timeline.
The meeting, hosted by the University of Udine, marked an important milestone for the Interreg Italy-Austria cooperation initiative. Throughout the day, the partners presented current progress reports on their respective work packages, reviewed the status of the project results, and coordinated the final steps required before the project’s completion, scheduled for October 2026.
A key highlight of the meeting was the exchange of knowledge and experiences among the project partners, which reflected the close collaboration that had developed over the course of the project. Discussions focused on the successful development of climate-friendly materials, sustainable construction solutions, educational initiatives, technical tools, measures to disseminate the results, and the preparation of the final outcomes, which will support the broader adoption of sustainable construction practices throughout the Alpine region.
As part of the program, participants took part in a guided tour of the University of Udine’s laboratories, where they had the opportunity to visit research facilities and observe experimental activities related to sustainable building materials and structural systems. The visit provided valuable insights into the scientific work supporting the project’s objectives and highlighted opportunities for future research collaboration.
The consortium also visited Friul Julia Appalti, one of the project’s industry partners, where participants learned more about the company’s activities and discussed the practical implementation of innovative and climate-friendly construction solutions in the building industry.
In addition to taking stock of the project’s results, a significant portion of the meeting was devoted to discussing the future of the partnership following the project’s official conclusion. The partners reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining and strengthening the cross-border network established through SITAR. Potential future activities include joint research and development projects, participation in new European funding opportunities, continued educational initiatives, professional development programs, the exchange of technical expertise, and the maintenance and further development of the project’s results.
The meeting concluded with a joint commitment to continue working together toward the common goal of promoting sustainable and climate-friendly construction practices throughout the Alpine region. Building on the strong relationships forged during the SITAR project, the partners expressed their intention to pursue new cooperation initiatives that will contribute to the long-term transformation of the construction sector toward a more sustainable future.
The closing meeting in Udine not only celebrated the successes of the SITAR project but also laid the groundwork for continued collaboration and ensured that the knowledge, tools, and networks developed as part of the project will continue to have a positive impact well beyond the end of the funding period.
© SITAR Project Consortium