How Might We (Festival of Shared Solutions)

What if we stopped asking why things don’t work and started looking for ways to change them? The How Could We? Festival brings together people who believe that Slovakia’s future can be shaped together – through conversations, collaboration and concrete ideas.

Two days in Trenčín will be dedicated to questions worth exploring:

How might we create vibrant neighborhoods and communities that are able to collaborate?

How might we build trust in one another and find a shared story?

How might we shape a Slovakia where we want to create, grow, and grow old?

The festival is part of the Living Neighborhoods project within the European Capital of Culture Trenčín 2026. It is organized in collaboration with partners from across Slovakia: Bystriny, INOVIA, the Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region Development Agency (BBSK), KIRA, the Institute of Participation Trenčín, and the Slovenská sporiteľňa Foundation.

Over the course of two days, we want to connect people and ideas to find shared solutions for:

Truly vibrant neighbourhoods and strong collaborative communities that can overcome challenges.
Mutual trust and a shared story that support effective collaboration.
A vision for the future that fosters talent and innovation for future generations.

WHAT TO EXPECT?

For people across different sectors who help shape public spaces, strengthen communities and influence the future of our society.

You will meet leaders from the public sector and established institutions, people from socially responsible businesses, philanthropy, non-profit organisations, academia and research, arts and culture, as well as the creative industries and innovation ecosystem, united by an entrepreneurial spirit.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

V druhej polovici júla zverejníme program a spíkrov a otvoríme registráciu na pozvánky pre stovky aktérov z celého Slovenska a širokej siete partnerov festivalu.

V druhej polovici augusta otvoríme registráciu aj verejne.

Celková kapacita festivalu bude obmedzená na 250 aktérov.

Vstup na celý festival je zdarma vrátane denného a večerného kateringu. Dopravu a ubytovanie si hradia účastníci.

The list of speakers and facilitators of the participatory workshops includes:
Janka Pálková, Director of the Dobrý kraj Regional Development Agency (BBSK); Vlastimil Kocian, Director of the INOVIA Innovation Agency; representatives of the Wrocław Institute of Culture; Petra Marko, Director of the Bratislava Metropolitan Institute; Pavol Kosnáč, Director of the DEKK Research Institute; philanthropist and entrepreneur Lucia Pašková; Gábor Bindics, creator of innovative concepts and urban interventions; award-winning designer Martin Jenča from the MILK agency; psychologist Zuzana Vasičáková Očenášová; award-winning designer Sylvia Ciulis; and education expert and innovator Juraj Hipš from the private Alma School… along with many inspiring and innovative projects and solutions from across Slovakia.

The full programme and speaker list will be published at the end of July 2026.