Quality of life (QoL) is increasingly emerging as an objective of development policies and is a complex concept that helps to better tailor public policies both to people and to the characteristics of a place. 

ESPON – European Territorial Observatory Network has developed an innovative approach to a place-based and a citizen-centric understanding a measurement of QoL. The Territorial QoL has been defined as the capability of living beings to survive and flourish in a place, thanks to the economic, social, and ecological conditions that support live in a place. Personal, socio-economic and ecological conditions of place comprise three thematic spheres of QoL that are further outlined in three conceptual dimensions allowing to fully understand its dynamic. Those three dimensions are good life enablers, life maintenance and life flourishing dimension. 

During the Slovenian Presidency to the Alpine convention several parallel activities are implemented targeting the above mentioned MAVP objective. The 10^th Report on the State of the Alps brings an in-depth knowledge of the quality of life in the Alps. The report, that will be published after the Alpine Conference in January next year, also draws knowledge and information from the ESPON territorial study Quality of Life in the Alpine Convention space and the Alpine COMPASS: Youth for Quality of Life in the Alps. Both projects have conducted several territorial QoL Living Labs bringing additional insights to the perception of QoL in the area. 

Events outline

The event organised in the frame of the Alps Week built on this experience, bringing a discussion on how to include this approach into the planning process a step further. It will present practical experiences of using the TQoL Living Labs instrument in the Alpine region. The Living Labs have been organised in the framework of the ESPON territorial and the Alpine COMPASS project (CIPRA SI). At the event, we shared the experience gained and the possibilities for integrating the Living Labs method into ongoing planning activities and processes with invited experts. 

The discussion was facilitated through the plenary with experts’ contributions in the form of short presentations and the workshop, giving more opportunity to the participants to share their ideas, views, and expectations.