Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)

The Bee Park Molentargius is a project located in the Molentargius-Saline Regional Natural Park, in Cagliari. It is part of a broader effort to regenerate abandoned and underutilised urban spaces, transforming them into areas that support biodiversity, promote sustainability, and engage the local community in environmental stewardship (3,4). The primary goal of the Bee Park Molentargius project is to restore specific areas of the Molentargius Park to their original ecological and productive functions. It aims to enhance biodiversity, support sustainable agricultural practices, and promote environmental education. The project includes the creation of shared gardens and an educational apiary, designed to reclaim the park’s identity and encourage local participation in the management and preservation of this important natural resource (1,3). It was developed with financial support from the Autonomous Region of Sardinia and the European Union's Horizon Europe Framework Programme. Inaugurated in March 2024, the project is a collaborative initiative involving local citizens, institutions, and park beneficiaries. It includes various educational components, such as beekeeping and olive growing training courses, along with sensory analysis workshops for honey and olive oil. These activities are intended to educate the public while fostering a sense of community ownership and responsibility toward the park​ (1,2). The project indirectly addresses environmental hazards related to the degradation of urban green spaces and loss of biodiversity. By restoring the park’s natural and productive functions, the Bee Park Molentargius helps mitigate risks associated with urbanisation, such as habitat loss and the decline of pollinator populations, which are crucial for maintaining ecological balance and food security​ (3)

The Far West Detroit neighborhood faces significant challenges with its aging infrastructure. The neighborhood’s stormwater and sewer systems are combined into a single system that is only capable of handling a limited volume. During heavy rain events, the system's capacity is exceeded, causing excess stormwater and untreated sewage to overflow into the Rouge River, which negatively impacts the environment (Ref. 1).
Detroit is investing $40 million in a transformative stormwater management system in the Far West neighborhood near Rouge Park. Described by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department as the largest project of its kind, it will redirect 98 million gallons of rainwater and snowmelt into two new detention basins and a renovated sewer system. The new wastewater system is expected to significantly reduce water volumes in Detroit’s combined sewer system during heavy rainfall and to provide flood relief for approximately 1,200 homes that have experienced flooding in recent years. This expansion, informed by community feedback, marks one of the city's most notable investments in green infrastructure to improve its overextended wastewater management system.
The project has been planned through extensive studies and community coordination since 2016, with construction set to occur in three phases, extending through 2026. Crews broke ground on the South Basin, North Basin, and sewer overhaul in July 2022, and progress is reportedly on track. In addition to the basins, the stormwater management initiative includes neighborhood improvements to enhance recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Planned enhancements in Rouge Park will introduce wetland spaces with native flora, creating greener, more inviting areas in the community for residents to enjoy (Ref. 2).

Arizona is experiencing an unprecedented drought, now nearing 15 years and surpassing the most severe drought in over 110 years of recorded history (1). For Phoenix residents, accustomed to extreme heat and minimal rainfall, rising temperatures are bringing new health risks (3). Diminished rainfall not only leads to water scarcity but also raises temperatures, as the sun’s energy, instead of being absorbed to evaporate moisture, intensifies the heat on the ground (2). In 2023 alone, extreme heat claimed at least 147 lives, with Arizona seeing the majority of these fatalities. By early August, over 100 heat-related deaths had been reported in the state (2).
In response to these challenges, the Watershed Management Group (WMG) has collaborated with Arizona State University’s Sustainability Teachers’ Academies to develop a program that maximizes the desert’s limited rainfall to build community resilience (3). Their Schoolyard Water Education Program brings educational services to Phoenix schools, focusing on designing and installing rain gardens as part of outdoor learning initiatives (3). This hands-on approach transforms schoolyards into interactive laboratories where students learn the principles of sustainability through direct engagement with their surroundings (3).
A project at Clarendon Elementary School in Phoenix involved constructing a rain garden with native plants and wood chip mulch to help retain moisture (3). These gardens offer students a living classroom, where they can observe seasonal changes in native plant life, distinguish beneficial species from invasive weeds, and track rainfall to measure the garden’s water intake from rooftops and direct rain (3). Beyond the academic learning, rain gardens provide cooler, safer spaces for students to gather, fostering a lasting connection with nature and a deeper understanding of sustainable water practices (3).

The Urban Center of Good Initiatives (CUIB), a social enterprise launched by the NGO Mai Bine in 2013, is designed to drive social economies and support sustainable development in Iasi. The enterprise operates a bistro that promotes social consumption by supporting local producers, adhering to slow food principles through the use of local and seasonal ingredients, minimizing food waste, and encouraging sustainable transportation, among other eco-friendly activities (2 & 4).
In 2020, CUIB and Mai Bine joined the FoodE program, a European research and social project focused on local agri-food systems. Funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020), the initiative empowered grassroots organizations through co-creation and collaboration among diverse stakeholders (5).
The FoodE project strengthened CUIB’s mission to provide low-carbon-impact food, promote ecological, ethical, and artisanal products, offer solidarity services such as free meals for the most vulnerable, engage in low-waste operations, provide education on mental and human ecology, and foster community through social and cultural events (1, p. 98). To further these goals, CUIB organized co-design workshops with 100 community members, focusing on achieving zero food miles, zero waste, and eliminating food waste (1, p. 99).
The program also led to improvements at the bistro, including the creation of a courtyard garden, a small terrace garden, along with a community garden (1, p. 100). These gardens supplied food to the bistro, and bio-waste was composted to fertilize the plots (1, p. 102). CUIB also hosted 17 outreach events as part of the initiative, including ecological workshops and the creation of a vegetable garden at a local kindergarten (3, p. 114 & 6).
Beyond its environmental work, CUIB provides free meals for 100 beneficiaries and organizes food donations for 400 vulnerable children and individuals (1, p. 103).

The Gnomes Project was launched to breathe new life into the abandoned Dublin City University (DCU) Community Garden, transforming it into a thriving urban micro-farm. Led by three friends—Martin, Jason, and Shane, collectively known as "The Gnomes"—the initiative grows pesticide-free, organic produce for the local community while championing regenerative farming practices.
The Gnomes employ bio-intensive agriculture, a sustainable approach designed to maximize yield from small spaces while maintaining biodiversity and enriching soil health. This method supports long-term productivity by promoting crop diversity, improving soil quality, and reducing dependence on external inputs through a closed-loop system.
The project’s journey began in 2015 when Jason and Martin enrolled in DCU's horticulture program and saw potential in the overgrown community garden. Shane joined as a volunteer in 2016, and by 2017, the trio had formalized their efforts to revitalize the garden. In 2019, they registered their business and began growing over 30 types of crops, eventually selling their produce through local farmers’ markets and small businesses.
Working tirelessly to restore the garden, The Gnomes cleared debris and removed invasive weeds using organic methods, transforming the area into a productive micro-farm. After negotiating with the university, they secured a lease for a 10,900 sq.-ft. plot (approximately 1/4 acre), with access to water. This space became the foundation for their bio-intensive, small-scale farming model, enabling them to grow quick-yield, high-value crops that thrive in limited spaces.
Some of their 20+ crops include a variety of leafy greens, herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchinis, green beans, onions, carrots, beetroots, baby turnips, apples, and recently added microgreens.
The Gnomes Project demonstrates the potential of urban farming, combining sustainable agriculture with community engagement. (2-5, 7-10)

This project aims to increase water retention capacity in the landscape around urban areas and promote biodiversity by restoring wetlands and natural streams in the forested areas on the island of Hisingen in northern Gothenburg. Many wetlands and streams in the area have been drained or otherwise affected by human activity, reducing biodiversity, increasing the risk of floods and droughts and causing greenhouse gas emissions from peatland. The goals of the project are to reduce the risk of floods downstream, reduce the effects of dry periods, increase groundwater infiltration and benefit species living in and around wetlands and streams in the forest [Ref. 1-3]. The Swedish Anglers Association has initiated the project in cooperation with the City of Gothenburg and the environmental engineering company Miljöteknik I Väst AB [Ref 1]. The project's first stage is a continuation of an earlier project to make an inventory of wetlands and their status [Ref 1, 2]. For the second part, 6,9 ha of wetlands and streams on land owned by the city were restored [Ref. 1, 3]. The project will lead to further efforts in wetland restoration around Gothenburg [Ref. 2, 4].

Located in the municipality of Morne Rouge, the Domaine d’Émeraude was once an agricultural site but was transferred to the Martinique Regional Natural Park (PNRM) in the early 2000s. It underwent significant renovations in 2005 to transform it into a sanctuary for Martinican biodiversity, reflecting the need to protect and conserve the island's unique ecosystems. In 2011, it opened its doors to the public, serving as an important educational resource that raises awareness about the island's historical, natural, and cultural heritage (Refs 4, 7, 8).
Today, the site encompasses 25 hectares protected from anthropogenic pressures and is primarily characterized by a humid tropical forest environment, which makes up 80% of the area (Ref 7). It is home to over a hundred native species (Ref 4) and offers nearly 4 kilometers of walking trails accessible to both adults and children, complete with recreational stops and educational amenities.
The Domaine d’Émeraude was designed to enhance the conservation of native species while developing sustainable economic activities that benefit the local community. Moreover, the site emphasizes the well-being that forested areas provide to visitors, highlighting that "the air can be heard, the smells can be savored, and the sounds can be experienced. The freshness of the place is a source of change and relaxation..." (Ref 4).

Pollinators—including bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, sunbirds, and bats, all found in the Sonoran Desert—play a vital role in plant reproduction, contributing to the production of fruits, vegetables, and seeds. However, these essential species face growing challenges, such as habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change.
In 2023, the Rio Reimagined project, a two-year regional river revitalization initiative, received a grant from the Society for Ecological Restoration’s Standards-based Restoration in Action program, in collaboration with Microsoft. This grant is funding the creation of a riparian pollinator garden designed by ASU students at the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center, situated on the banks of the Salt River in Phoenix. With strong support from the City of Phoenix, Microsoft’s Community Environmental Sustainability (CES) program, and planting expertise from the Tiger Mountain Foundation, a one-acre garden was restored in 2024 to establish a thriving pollinator habitat.
This restored garden includes interpretive signage and programming designed to educate visitors on the importance of riparian ecosystems. More than one hundred volunteers planted native species along the Rio Salado to attract and support pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds. The garden is specifically designed to be climate-resilient and drought-tolerant, enhancing the biodiversity of the Salt River.
This initiative not only revitalizes the Rio Salado Audubon Center but also cultivates native plants, supports pollinator populations, and benefits the broader community through increased environmental awareness and sustainability. (1-3)

The Fenkell Stormwater Project in the Brightmoor neighborhood of Detroit is an initiative led by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) to mitigate the impact of heavy rain events on the local sewer system. By transforming 92 Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA) parcels into 24 bioretention gardens, the project aims to significantly reduce street flooding and basement backups in the area. These gardens, spread across approximately 50 acres of mostly vacant land, utilize permeable soils and landscaping techniques to absorb excess rainfall, which helps prevent the overloading of the city’s combined sewer system. This is particularly important in reducing combined sewer overflows (CSOs), which occur when the system's capacity is exceeded during heavy rains, leading to untreated stormwater and sewage being discharged into the Rouge River.
The project is expected to manage and treat about nine million gallons of stormwater annually, making a significant impact on both the neighborhood’s infrastructure and the environment. In addition to the bioretention gardens, the project includes the partial removal of Blackstone Street between Keeler and Midland streets to further enhance stormwater management.
Community engagement has been a critical component of the project, with residents of Brightmoor and Minock Park participating in meetings to share their preferences for the types of trees, plantings, and other features. The DWSD will maintain the gardens under its Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) program, which already includes 19 other similar projects across the city. The project is currently in the construction phase and is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, modernizing Brightmoor’s stormwater infrastructure and providing long-term environmental and community benefits.
(Ref.1-3)

The Kikås dump is a landfill in Mölndal, south of Gothenburg, where an area has been permanently covered with a sealing layer and inert material. This project aimed to utilise the area to increase biodiversity by establishing flowering meadows and an insect hotel, creating a habitat for wild bees, butterflies and birds [Ref. 1-3]. The City of Mölndal initated the project and sowed meadow flowers, established sand beds for burrowing insects, an uneven, rocky terrain and a large insect hotel [Ref. 1, 3]. The area is also meant to be a destination for recreation and learning about biodiversity. The Insect Hotel is marketed as the largest in Sweden, and it includes information signs and an outdoor classroom. The project is meant to raise awareness about biodiversity and ecosystem services such as pollination [Ref. 1, 4-6]. The area borders natural areas such as forests and wetlands and is meant to have positive ecological effects in the border zones. The project will contribute to the environmental goals of the city, in particular, "a rich plant and animal life" [Ref. 3]