Citizens or community group

According to data from the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe), Rondônia ranks fourth nationally among the states with the highest number of detected fire outbreaks (2). In response to this issue and to restore devastated areas in the Amazon, Terra Cura was established in 2016 by resident Luana Lopes, promoting the planting of more than a thousand trees in the Porto Velho region (1). The areas benefiting from this initiative were those degraded by deforestation, causing erosion along the riverbanks (1).
This reforestation effort took place in the scenographic city of Jerusalem of the Amazon, from 2016 to 2022, a cultural and touristic complex in Porto Velho, where erosion caused by deforestation was observed along the riverbanks next to it (2). It was developed as a collaboration with the club and the founders of the Associação Clube Teatral Êxodo, who gave the space so that we could recover the land (3).
The project focused on developing an agricultural strategy known as syntropic farming, by implementing an agroforestry system. This approach seeks to reorganize and restore the natural environment, creating better conditions for planting and allowing trees to thrive. In the reforestation process, volunteers and experienced technicians worked together Additionally, the project included a nursery used for donating seedlings and for offering forestry and agro-construction courses to the community, held in the reforestation area (2).
The Terra Cura project, in addition to working on reforestation and recovery of degraded areas, promoted environmental and cultural integration at the site, promoting sustainable fairs and bazaars, training courses in ancestral practices such as soil cultivation and bioconstruction, and thematic events, bringing together artists and local communities (3). Although they were evicted from the area surrounding the scenic city of Jerusalem (5, 6), they are still active in the area.

Fairhope's Municipal Pier is a popular bayfront destination featuring a 1/4-mile pier, swimming areas, picnic spots, a landscaped rose garden, benches, restrooms, a marina, a restaurant, walking trails, and a duck pond. However, the area has been fragilized over the years. The beaches are absent and less prominent now, due in large measure to the presence of shoreline hardening (Ref 5), making the shoreline more vulnerable to climate hazards (Ref 5).
The main goal of the Working Waterfront and Greenspace Restoration Project is to introduce safe and user-friendly improvements to the 10-acre South Beach Park area, which encompasses the Municipal Pier (Ref 2). These upgrades aim to enhance the public's use and access of the waterfront, while ensuring the park's long-term resilience and sustainability (Ref 2). The new design tackles both the structural issues of the bulkhead/seawall and the overall aesthetics of the Fairhope Pier area (Ref 2).
Over the years, storms, particularly Hurricanes Sally and Zeta, have compromised the structural integrity of the anchoring hardware of the bulkhead/seawall, causing parts of the wall to shift. Additionally, water intrusion behind the wall has eroded the soil supporting the walkway in certain areas (Ref 2). Other important features include new handrails, decking, restroom facilities, and lights on the pier. The project will also add new stairs leading to the bluff, restore the fountain, and renovate the parking lot. A funicular lift will be installed at the bluff to enhance accessibility (Ref 5).
Pedestrian safety will be improved to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Other enhancements include landscaping with new irrigation, and the construction of new sidewalks (Ref 2, Ref 4).

"Adopt a linden tree" is a project that involved the planting and adoption of linden trees in the city of Iași, spanning from 2019 to 2023 across three editions (1 to 8). The campaign was spearheaded by the National Athenaeum of Iași, in collaboration with the Mihai Eminescu Association from Vienna (2). This initiative was launched in celebration of the Athenaeum's 100th anniversary, and it specifically chose the linden tree because of its deep-rooted symbolism in the city of Iași. The tree is not only a natural landmark but also carries cultural and historical weight, as it is closely associated with Romania’s national poet, Mihai Eminescu, who is known for his love of linden trees.
In 2019, 100 linden trees were planted, a number that was repeated in 2020. In the 2023 edition, 50 trees were added, bringing the total number of trees planted through this project to 250 (1 & 4 & 5). An important and unique aspect of the initiative is the "adoption" of the trees by volunteers who participated in the campaign. These volunteers not only lent their names to the trees but also took on the responsibility for their care, ensuring the trees' survival and growth until they reached maturity .
Volunteers were encouraged to participate, and the campaign was supported by donations from individuals, businesses, and public institutions. The municipality of Iași also contributed by providing funds, approving the initiative, and preparing the land through its subsidiary, Servicii Publice Iași S.A., reflecting strong public-private collaboration.
Beyond its cultural significance, the campaign aimed to achieve several other objectives. These included enhancing the city’s aesthetics, promoting community engagement, and improving the quality of life in Iași by contributing to cleaner air and a healthier environment . The initiative also aimed to raise environmental awareness among residents and foster a stronger sense of responsibility toward the natural world. (1-8)

The old Altadis tobacco factory in the Los Remedios neighbourhood of Seville is being transformed into an area with offices, hotels and lots of green space. New green space will connect existing green areas next to the river, resulting in a total of 13 378 m2 of green areas within 3 ha of public space. The park will increase the number of trees in the area by 60 per cent, creating a lot more shaded areas, which are needed during the hot summers [Ref. 1-5]. Additionally, the trees will contribute to carbon sequestration, improve air quality and promote biodiversity [Ref. 5]. The park is meant to become a popular destination for recreation, new entrances and a bridge over the river will connect the surrounding neighbourhoods to the park [Ref. 1-3]. There will be areas for physical activity, dog walking and play for children [Ref. 1, 4]. The project is being carried out by real estate company KKH Property Investment, which owns the land and will invest 250 million EUR in the project as a whole, of which 5 million EUR is designated for green spaces. KKH has made an agreement with the City of Seville to ensure the project has benefits for the area and its citizens, and follows previous plans for the area, which have involved citizen participation [Ref. 3, 6, 9].

The environmental and public space recovery project around the Bazurto Market in Cartagena is a comprehensive initiative aimed at addressing the severe environmental degradation and chaotic urban conditions in this vital area of the city. The Bazurto Market, one of Cartagena's most important economic hubs, had experienced increasing levels of disorganization, pollution, and public health risks due to the encroachment of informal vendors and improper waste management (ref 1,2,5). The primary goals of this project are to restore the ecological health of the Caño de Bazurto and the Ciénaga de las Quintas, enhance the quality of public spaces around the market, and improve the overall urban environment (ref 1). Project activities included removal of waste from the surrounding water bodies, installation of protective barriers along the Ciénaga de las Quintas, and the planting of trees to revitalize green spaces (ref 3,4). Emphasis was placed on planting of a variety of tree species, such as Guayacán Amarillo, Ceiba, and fruit trees like níspero and mango. These efforts were concentrated in areas around the Bazurto Market, where green spaces had been neglected or overtaken by informal commercial activities. The project also included the restructuring of vendor locations and public spaces to reduce congestion and improve the flow of both pedestrian and vehicular traffic (ref 5). Educational campaigns were conducted to encourage better waste disposal practices and enhance community involvement (ref 1).

The Growroom is a spherical urban garden made of plywood, designed as a temporary installation in Gdańsk’s Strzyża district. Originally created by Danish architects Sine Lindholm and Mads-Ulrik Husum, the structure was adapted for this location as part of a collaborative initiative. It provides a small, functional space where residents can plant and enjoy greenery within the city.
In Gdańsk, the Growroom was used to cultivate flowers, herbs, and strawberries, with the plant selection curated by Joanna Paniec, a specialist in the city’s green initiatives. A central bench within the structure offers a simple resting spot for visitors. While visually appealing, the installation primarily served as a short-term experiment in integrating greenery into urban settings.
The project was co-financed by the Danish Cultural Institute, the Danish Ministry of Culture, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Environmental Department of the Gdańsk City Office. It was brought to Gdańsk by the Polish foundation Kultura nad Kulturą and conceptualized by Agnieszka Wołodźko, a painter, exhibition curator, and author of the blog Pomiędzy sztuką a życiem. The installation was in place from [add dates if available], after which maintenance was handed over to the local community.
The Growroom was not intended as a long-term urban feature but rather as a temporary initiative to explore the role of small-scale green spaces in cities. While it provided a brief opportunity for local engagement with urban gardening, it was ultimately a short-lived addition to the district. (1-4)

Martinique is a biodiversity hotspot, home to over 1,500 endemic plants, 70% of which are under threat from human activities. In response to these pressures, the Péyi Vert [Green Country] initiative was launched to plant endemic trees and strengthen the island's biodiversity. Beyond simply preserving species, these trees are crucial in maintaining healthy ecosystems, as they provide essential services such as carbon sequestration, shade, food for human consumption, soil decontamination, pollination, and protection against coastline erosion.
Launched in June 2020 by Entreprises et Environnement (EE), a not-for-profit business association representing 80 Martinican companies, the Péyi Vert initiative aims to plant 1 million native trees (either Martinican or Caribbean) over five years. It can be seen as a Martinique-wide strategy to adapt to and mitigate climate change. Péyi Vert facilitates connections between people who want to plant trees and Martinican companies that serve as financial sponsors. The initiative emphasizes conserving natural heritage by planting endangered species, as well as promoting native species that, while not necessarily threatened, provide valuable ecosystem services or contribute to biodiversity restoration.
Between 2020 and 2023, EE reported planting 50,000 trees (Refs 1, 4, 6, 7). Although individuals can make donations, Péyi Vert primarily seeks funding from companies looking to offset their carbon emissions or enhance their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). To achieve its goals, the initiative mainly collaborates with municipalities, companies, and farmers (Ref 3).

Bring Nature Home project, partly financed by and implemented under the New European Bauhaus programme by the organisation "UrbanizeHub", is an initiative focused on encouraging and helping the city of Iasi to become more green while strengthening urban communities (1 & 3). More concretely the project sought to transform an unused space in a residential area of a neighborhood in Iasi through a "biophilic design", with the involvement of the local community (1 - 5). The space was then transformed into a green area that would help the residents reconnect with nature (1 & 4). The implementation later helped develop a handbook that could be used to reproduce the methods of the initiative in other urban settings (4 & 5).
Involving the local community, including children from the nearby daycare, the project conducted five workshops. These workshops focused on educational activities, improving the connection with urban nature, and ultimately creating an urban garden which included perennial plants, and insect and bird houses (5, pp. 53 to 58).
Beyond community engagement and inter-generational dialogue, the project highlighted the importance of natural elements and biodiversity in urban settings. It also facilitated knowledge exchange among public institutions, NGOs, and private companies. With additional funding from IULIUS and municipal approval, the initiative successfully transformed the unused space into a thriving green area (4 & 5, p. 67 & 71).

Rainwater management in Gdańsk presents significant challenges due to the city's hydromorphological conditions, including high groundwater levels and steep terrain. These factors, coupled with the periodic inefficiency of the storm sewer system and the intensification of extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall, have necessitated innovative solutions. Gdańsk has responded by implementing a climate change adaptation policy that promotes the use of open drainage systems, including small retention facilities like rain gardens. These gardens help mitigate the risks associated with excessive rainfall while enhancing urban sustainability.
The first rain garden in Gdańsk was established in the Stogi district at the Flood Control Warehouse on Kaczeńce Street. This facility collects and utilizes rainwater from nearby paved surfaces, aiming to manage rainfall of at least 30 mm during intense, short-term downpours. Utilizing a variety of perennials such as marsh marigold, common loosestrife, comfrey, hemp agrimony, common calamus, and arrowhead, the garden retains and filters rainwater naturally, increasing efficiency and ecological benefits. Rain gardens absorb water up to 40% better than traditional lawns. They reduce rainwater runoff, mitigate flood risks, filter pollutants, improve biodiversity, and enhance urban air quality while lowering temperatures.
The garden was created as part of a broader investment in the Flood Control Warehouse in Stogi, a facility opened in 2017 at a cost of over PLN 5 million. Strategically located near the Sucharski Route and the Martwa Wisła tunnel, the warehouse supports rapid response to flood emergencies, storing over 100 types of equipment, from shovels to large generators. This combination of infrastructure and green solutions demonstrates Gdańsk's commitment to urban resilience and environmental sustainability. (1-4)

This initiative focused on creating a management plan for the Uricani forest, a protected area located near Iasi. Designated as both a nature reserve and a Natura 2000 site, the forest is crucial for its "Dacia oak & hornbeam forests" habitat and the presence of the stag beetle, the largest beetle in Romania and Europe.
Despite existing nature protection designations, the environmental NGO "Asociația Ecoturistică Prietenii Pădurii Bălțătești" recognized the need for an updated management plan. With European funding, the NGO developed a model plan for protected areas in Neamt and Iasi counties, including Uricani forest.
The NGO conducted monitoring activities in cooperation with forestry directorates to assess habitat conditions and stag beetle populations. The goal was to identify risks and requirements for species conservation and design appropriate management actions. Additionally, the organization aimed to promote the area's tourism potential and conduct awareness-raising activities with local communities and schools.
The completed management plan, developed through public consultation and approved by the Romanian environmental ministry, included measures for natural habitat regeneration, ensuring suitable conditions for the stag beetle, addressing illegal logging, pasturing, and waste disposal, and establishing information points and educational activities for the community. (1-7)