In today’s rapidly changing world, cities are navigating complex social, environmental, and economic developments. At the same time, these challenges present real opportunities. Medium-sized and smaller cities, in particular, can become more attractive to residents and businesses by focusing on liveability. By creating visible, collaborative, and community-oriented public spaces—supported by strong public services and a vibrant socio-cultural life—cities can foster active citizenship and a strong sense of belonging. Innovative approaches to public engagement and participation are key to building lively, inclusive environments that respond to people’s needs and support collective well-being. The Liveability project has encouraged proactive thinking and acting within city administrations, strengthening their capacity for creativity, flexibility, and transparency.

Public Interest Design (PID) is an approach that applies design for the common good. It places collective well-being at the centre of urban planning and provides a strong framework for inclusive and sustainable development, as well as for improving public services. The Liveability project supports local authorities in integrating PID into their strategies and administrative processes, while also offering practical guidance for civil servants.

To achieve this, the project developed the Liveability Design Approach—a capacity-building programme made up of three interconnected components that have been developed, piloted, and evaluated:

1. The Charter for Designing Liveable Cities offers a guiding framework that enables cities to demonstrate their commitment to becoming more liveable.
2. The Practice Guide supports municipal staff in applying design principles and methods when developing or delivering specific public services or urban planning processes at neighbourhood level.
3. The Liveability Training Programme, including self-learning materials and explanatory videos, helps city employees understand and apply design approaches in their everyday work.

Cities are also invited to join the Liveable Cities Network, a transnational community of practice that will continue beyond the project’s conclusion in 2025. The network serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, promotes ongoing dialogue around liveability, introduces cities to the Liveability Design Approach and its components, and facilitates peer learning. Through these activities, the Liveability project supports medium-sized and smaller cities on their journey towards becoming more liveable places.