Social change (e.g. social relationships, networks and dynamics within them)

This project is a year-long (2022-2023), interdisciplinary and transversal environmental education program initiated by the Rotary Club of Fort-de-France Ouest with the main aim of raising awareness of biodiversity conservation. As part of Rotary International, the Rotary Club of Fort-de-France Ouest is a community service club that engages in various service projects that address local challenges relating to education, health, environmental sustainability, and economic development.
The project incited teachers at the François Auguste Perrinon middle school to incorporate environmental education and "créole" (traditional ecological) knowledge into the course curriculum. The program was designed to motivate the schoolkids to practice their newly acquired competences in a religious, artistic or gardening end-of-year project. The initiative reached between 150 to 200 students from 6th to 3rd grade in the neighbourhood of "Ermittage" (Ref 1; 5).

Miskolctapolca is a district of Miskolc and features a nature park (which includes a lake, Csonakazo-to) originally planted in the 1920s using the exotic trees and bushes. In 2022 the municipality decided to renovate the area under a EU funded project called "Creating a Green City in Miskolc-Tapolca". The project aimed to establish a modern urban green space focused on active recreation for various age groups, enhancing Miskolc's appeal for tourism.
The renovation included new concrete paving system and updated utilities for the lakes' promenades with a strong emphasis on accessibility ensured smooth mobility throughout the area. The renovation added informative signs detailing local attractions, historical trees, and the park's history. To enhance visitor comfort, a new accessible restroom was constructed. Renovations to the Csonakazo-to lake included removing accumulated silt and reinforcing the shoreline, alongside the addition of new street furniture, lighting, and wooden sunbathing terraces and platforms. The two bridges around the lake were renewed, and the squirrel installation, a favorite among locals, were restored. Furthermore, a square in the park, Kilátó Square was transformed with benches and drinking fountains, creating a welcoming space for relaxation.
Additionally, extensive landscaping was carried out, including the planting of approximately 100 trees, 9,000 shrubs, 18,000 perennial plants, 2,300 annuals, 350 roses, and 6,600 bulbs.
The surrounding park, which had been in disrepair for decades, was thoroughly revitalized, blending traditional and modern aesthetics. This long-overdue renovation significantly enhanced the environment. The construction was carried out by FEDRID Építőipari Kft., starting in spring 2022, and was completed in May 2023 after some delays.
(Ref.1,2,3)

The Urban Oasis Playgrounds project focuses on creating a guide for green regeneration of playgrounds located all over Iasi by using natural climate solutions, with the potential for wider application beyond the city(1 to 6). The project's primary goal is to tackle pollution in playgrounds and address the overall lack of green spaces for children (1). This initiative is led by the NGO Civica in collaboration with the Municipality of Iași and the Architects Association in Iași (OAR) (1). The project secured €50,000 in funding after winning a competition organized by Raiffeisen Comunități, with support from the NGO "Asociația pentru Relații Comunitare" (2 & 3).
In addition to pollution, the project seeks to address other critical issues, such as the heat island effect and the proximity of playgrounds to risk-prone areas (1). The guide will be developed based on public consultations with Iași residents and a comprehensive study to tackle these concerns (1 to 7).
Currently, the first phase of the project is underway, involving assessments of various factors in playgrounds, including existing vegetation, shading, surface quality, infrastructure conditions, and pollution risks (4). These aspects are also reflected in a questionnaire distributed to the public, which gathers opinions on factors like cleanliness, noise exposure, thermal comfort, safety, and preferred natural green solutions (6).
The initiative aims to raise awareness about climate change, actively engaging the community in the process (4). Once completed, the guide will be presented to the municipality with the goal of being adopted as a standard for future playground developments (1, 3, 4, 6). The first phase of the project will regenerate a playground by planting trees and native vegetation (3).

Terres Sainville is one of Fort-de-France's priority neighborhoods, known for the precarious living conditions of its residents and the prevalence of illicit activities. Many plots of land in the area have been abandoned and are used as informal dumpsites. In response, the City of Fort-de-France developed the "Jaden Lanmou" (Garden of Love) program, which aims to revitalize neglected spaces across the city’s 145 neighborhoods, Terres Sainville being one of them.
With support from the Terres Sainville town hall, neighborhood associations (such as the Terres Sainville Citizens' Council and local schools), and the Ypiranga Martinique association, the community has been working to transform these wastelands into shared gardens. Since 2021, Ypiranga has created 10 productive gardens, designing each based on the land's configuration, soil quality, and the preferences of local residents, including options for market gardening, medicinal plants, fruit trees, and above-ground containers (Ref 1; 7).
This initiative prioritizes the development of city-owned land and strategic transit sites, while also encouraging private landowners to maintain their abandoned plots or share them with the community. Additionally, the program seeks to enhance existing flowerbeds, create new ones, and incorporate artistic elements like street art and graffiti. Public meeting spaces are being developed to foster community interaction.
The city aims to involve residents by providing equipment, training, workshops, and advice on best practices. Ultimately, neighborhood representatives and residents will be responsible for maintaining these new communal spaces and ensuring they are respected (Ref 2).

This initiative is a community-based urban greening effort targeting environmental and social co-benefits in Cartagena’s El Pozón neighbourhood. It involved the planting of 491 fruit and timber trees along a 1,500-meter linear stretch, covering nearly two hectares in the Terraplén sector of the neighbourhood. Led by the "Establecimiento Público Ambiental" (EPA), it was developed in collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Gerencia de Espacio Público, Guardia Ambiental, SENA students, the Police, and community members (ref 1, 2). The project's primary goal was to enhance the environmental quality and aesthetics of the El Pozón neighbourhood by planting trees that provide ecological benefits, such as improving air quality, reducing temperatures, and enhancing biodiversity. Additionally, the initiative aimed to foster community engagement in environmental conservation, particularly in raising awareness about the importance of protecting and maintaining nature. The community is also expected to take on the responsibility of maintaining the planted trees, promoting a sense of ownership and sustainable stewardship (ref 1).

The Molentargius-Salt Works Regional Natural Park, spanning approximately 1,600 hectares, is located in South Sardinia between the towns of Cagliari and Quartu Sant'Elena, adjacent to the Poetto seafront. The park features diverse ecosystems, including wetlands and salt flats, and houses the Orto Botanico di Cagliari, which showcases native Mediterranean plants.
In 2016, a project was initiated by a group of stakeholders to preserve and enhance biodiversity within the park. The project's goals are to protect and promote the unique ecosystems, such as the fossil beach, and manage invasive species like the Louisiana crayfish. Through various activities—educational programs, public engagement, and conservation efforts—the initiative aims to raise awareness and deepen understanding of local biodiversity and its historical evolution.
A primary focus of the project is the conservation of the Orto Botanico area in Is Arenas, which contains a fossil beach that offers valuable geological insights into the region's past. Planned activities include cleaning and securing the area, creating educational pathways, and employing multimedia tools to engage visitors. The emphasis is on teaching the public, especially students, about biodiversity as a result of environmental adaptation through practical learning and cultural exchanges.
Another critical aspect of the project is the study and control of the invasive Louisiana crayfish, which threatens the park’s biodiversity by contributing to riverbank erosion and impacting native fauna. The project will incorporate scientific research on the crayfish and develop strategies to limit its spread, aiming to protect the park’s delicate ecosystems from further disruption by invasive species.
Lastly, the project emphasizes cultural exchange and social inclusion and fosters dialogue on the shared ecological challenges in Parco Molentargius. (Refs. 1, 2 & 5)

The Adana Central Park stretches along both riverbanks of the Seyhan River. The idea was first introduced by the former mayor of the city, Aytaç Durak, in the late 80s to address the need for accessible green spaces in the developing area (Ref, 2). Previously, citrus gardens and informal settlements were located on these riverbanks, which now host over 400.000 plants and 67 different tree species on an area of 33 ha (Ref. 2,5,6). In 1998 construction of the park began, which lasted until 2004 (Ref. 2,5). The park is appreciated by visitors for its aesthetically landscaped appearance and the many amenities for children, youth, relaxation and socializing (Ref. 7). The two sides of the river are connected via bridges or, alternatively, visitors can board the Venetian style gondolas to access either side (Ref. 5). In 2021, park lighting infrastructure has been extensively replaced to ensure accessibility and safety during day and nighttime (Ref. 3).

The Recovery of Green Area on Avenida del Lago is a group of activities aimed at restoring and preserving the ecological integrity of green space within an urban setting. This project involves multiple stakeholders, including the "Establecimiento Público Ambiental" (EPA) Cartagena, "Fundación Verde Que Te Quiero Verde", Asopopa, and local businesses such as Crepes and Wafles and Centro Comercial Caribe Plaza. The primary focus is environmental restoration, sustainable urban mobility, and public space recovery (ref 1). The project aims to rehabilitate the degraded green spaces along Lago Avenue by enhancing urban greenery, restoring mangrove ecosystems, and improving public access and mobility. It also focuses on reducing pollution, preventing informal waste disposal, and raising environmental awareness among local communities and businesses. These activities align with broader efforts to promote ecological sustainability and enhance urban resilience (ref 1, 3). Since 2020, activities have included the planting of trees, mangroves, and other native vegetation in the green spaces of the avenue. Regular clean-up campaigns have been organized to remove solid waste, and community education programs have been conducted to promote environmental stewardship (ref 2). Previously, Lago Avenue was an area plagued by pollution and homelessness, and with the project, the intention is to gradually transform the area into a wooded area or productive park (ref 2).

The green belt regeneration project along the Byzantine Walls of Thessaloniki aims to revitalize the neglected green spaces surrounding these historic fortifications, which span 4 kilometers and are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site for their remarkable Byzantine architecture. The walls are located in Thessaloniki’s densely populated Upper Town, a factor that contributed to their environmental degradation. As such, the project focuses on restoring the degraded space surrounding the walls, improving the urban microclimate, and strengthening urban resilience while maintaining the area’s traditional character. By integrating heritage conservation with sustainable green infrastructure, the initiative seeks to provide both environmental and social benefits to the local community. Proposed by the Municipality of Thessaloniki and approved by the Greek government as part of a program that focuses on Central Macedonia, the project envisions a revitalized green zone along the walls, with vegetation and different types of trees being planted. However, some local families have expressed concerns, as the project involved the demolition of certain homes in the officially designated green belt area. (Refs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 14).

The Jardim do Caracol da Penha project transformed a vacant urban area into a community garden and recreational space in Lisbon. Initially planned as a parking lot, the project was reimagined by local residents, led by Rita Vieira Cruz, and submitted to the Participatory Budget in 2016, garnering over 9,000 votes (Ref 2). The one-hectare garden connects the Arroios and Penha de França parishes and features leisure areas, an amphitheatre, playgrounds, and a community garden (Ref 4). Its design was shaped by citizen input, emphasizing sustainability and accessibility, with plans to support activities such as outdoor cinema and community gatherings (Ref 2).