On 8–9 June 2026, the HungAIRy project team visited Ljubljana to meet with representatives of Slovenia’s Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning. The discussions focused on current air quality challenges, the exchange of good practices, and opportunities for future cooperation.

One of the key topics of the meeting was the implementation of Directive (EU) 2024/2881 of the European Parliament and of the Council, which aims to improve ambient air quality and ensure cleaner air across Europe. The Slovenian partners presented the current status of the Directive’s national transposition, while representatives of the LIFE IP HungAIRy project outlined the implementation process in Hungary and the role of HungaroMet Nonprofit Plc. in supporting these efforts.

During the professional programme, the hosts also introduced the objectives and planned activities of their LIFE Strategic Integrated Project (LIFE SIP). In return, the Hungarian delegation shared the experience and results achieved through the HungAIRy project.

Representing HungAIRy, Eco-manager Luca Szénásy presented the air quality actions implemented in Pécs and the outcomes achieved so far. Dr Zsolt Dobó, Research Fellow at the Faculty of Materials and Chemical Engineering of the University of Miskolc, delivered a presentation on the importance of the PM monitoring networks established in Miskolc and Kaposvár and their contribution to improving air quality.

An important part of the visit was learning about Slovenian good practices. The Slovenian partners introduced several initiatives that could provide valuable insights for the further development of Hungary’s air quality policies and measures. These included the subsidy scheme operated by the Slovenian Eco Fund, which supports household energy efficiency investments and the replacement of outdated heating appliances with cleaner technologies; Borzen’s zero-emission mobility programme; and the EviDim database, a nationwide register containing information on residential small combustion installations, their technical specifications, chimney inspection records, and emission measurement data. The database supports more accurate monitoring of emissions from residential heating, improves the reliability of emission inventories, and contributes to more effective planning of air quality protection measures.

As an outcome of the meeting, the partners agreed to continue their cooperation through a series of online expert consultations later this year, with a particular focus on the progress of their LIFE projects and the exchange of experience related to air quality measures. The HungAIRy team also invited their Slovenian and Croatian partners to attend the LIFE IP HungAIRy Final Conference on 19 November 2026.

The expert visit to Ljubljana once again demonstrated that addressing air quality challenges effectively requires international cooperation and knowledge sharing. The participants agreed that exchanging experience and working together on common challenges creates significant added value for the planning and implementation of future environmental protection measures.