Dissemination of information and education

Kungsgärdet Byaodling is an urban farm set up by local farming association Kungsbacka Tillsammansodling, in Kungsbacka south of Gothenburg. Since 2023, the project has been funded by a 78 000 EUR grant via the non-profit organisation Lokalt ledd utveckling Halland (locally led development) using funds from the EU and the Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket) [Ref. 1, 2, 4]. The goal is to grow food in a sustainable and circular way, building soil health and promoting biodiversity. Using a total area of 4500 m2 on former unused grassland, the urban farm includes: 1100 m2 of effective growing area, 1000 m2 of flowering meadows, fruit and berry trees and bushes, and functional and social areas. The meadows and trees are intended to contribute to biodiversity, while social areas are meant to create a sense of community and benefit the well-being of the people active at the farm [Ref. 1, 3]. The farming association has been around for a few years, but the project funds will allow them to expand and develop the farm over three years, invest in new equipment and arrange free lectures for the public about sustainable farming practices [Ref. 1, 4]. The grant will also allow them to take in more members without anyone having to pay anything, promoting social inclusion.

The Green and Blue Axis (Eixo Verde e Azul, EVA) is an inter-municipal green corridor project connecting the municipalities of Sintra, Oeiras, and Amadora through a 15-kilometre green ecological axis along the Jamor River (Ref 2). It aims to renaturalize the river, improve water quality, and control flooding while promoting sustainable mobility through pedestrian and cycling routes (Ref 5). The project also enhances public access to green spaces and cultural heritage sites, such as the Queluz National Palace (Ref 6). EVA supports the Lisbon Metropolitan Area’s regional strategy for climate change adaptation, risk prevention, and low-carbon economy (Ref 4). Funded by the European Regional Development Fund and municipal budgets, the project has an overall investment of €11 million (Ref 1). EVA exemplifies inter-municipal cooperation, overcoming policy conflicts to achieve shared environmental, social, and economic goals, making it a model for integrated territorial development (Ref 4). The project’s long-term impact includes reduced carbon footprint and increased territorial cohesion.

The Metropolitan Linear Park is a project initiated by the national government of Bolivia, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) (1-8). The proposed park will be located along a disused railway corridor between the cities of La Paz and El Alto, spanning 18.2 km (8, p. 8). The project involves the construction of a linear park, divided into five sections, each with distinct objectives, uses, and designs (8, p. 9). This large-scale initiative aims to improve access to public spaces in La Paz and El Alto, enhance connectivity between the two cities, protect surrounding biodiversity and natural spaces, and strengthen resilience to and mitigate the effects of climate change (3 & 8, pp. 11-12).
To achieve these goals, the project design includes outdoor sports and recreational facilities, pedestrian and cycling circuits, as well as the restoration of parks, squares, and public spaces adjacent to the park corridor (8, p. 9). Some features include balcony corridors, flower and food-producing urban gardens, and viewpoints (5). The project also plans for the re-vegetation of the area with native species and aims to stop the environmental degradation of surrounding natural environments, such as the Pura Pura forest, which has been suffering from ongoing deforestation and waste dumping (8, p. 9). These efforts are expected to increase and support biodiversity in the area (7 & 8, p. 12).
Additionally, the project emphasizes social inclusion, with policies designed to incorporate women, indigenous populations, and persons with disabilities (8, pp. 7-8). The park is intended to raise awareness about climate change and biodiversity, ultimately improving the quality of life and health of nearby residents and the citizens of La Paz and El Alto (8, p. 13).

The Recovery of Cienaga Juan Polo project is primarily aimed at reopening the natural mouth of the Manzanillos to restore water flow between the sea and the Juan Polo coastal wetland, which has been affected by human activities leading to high salinity and water stagnation issues (ref 2). The project is led by Fundacion Serena del Mar. Environmental and social sustainability are core components of the project design, which has included extensive community consultations since 2013. These consultations have resulted in agreements covering employment opportunities, education, and infrastructure development (ref 2). Key implementation activities include the reforestation of mangroves and targeted interventions to address ecological degradation, such as increased salinity, water stagnation, and biodiversity loss (ref 2). The project also seeks to enhance the quality of life for surrounding communities by restoring traditional economic activities, particularly fishing, and integrating sustainable urban planning elements such as canals, sluices, and navigable waterways. These features are designed to support the development of a "blue corridor" for aquatic mobility within Serena del Mar (ref 2, 3). In addition, it also contributes to local capacity building through environmental education programs that engage community members, researchers, and NGOs in biodiversity monitoring and sustainable practices​ (ref 1).

Airfield Estate, based in Dundrum, South County Dublin, is a dedicated sustainable food hub and Dublin’s only working urban farm and gardens. The 38-acre site, originally owned by the Overend family, attracts over 120,000 visitors for a fun day out including families, garden enthusiasts, schools, weddings and businesses.
The community garden at Airfield Estate is based on a partnership between the Estate and Toast corporation, a digital technology platform built for restaurants with an office in Dublin. The community garden was created to produce sustainable fruit and vegetables while also offering opportunities for people to learn about environmentally-friendly food production, empowering them to make more informed food choices. The Toast.org Community Garden at Airfield Estate will be a resource centre for education on nutrition, food sovereignty, seed saving, biodiversity, conservation, and resource management, supporting Toast.org’s mission to enrich the food experience for all. The community garden will also support Airfield Estate’s ambition to be Dublin’s sustainable food hub and help bring Dublin on its journey to be known as a world-leading sustainable food city (2, 3). The grounds will be accessible to everyone, from the local community and vulnerable groups to corporate employees, and the space will host horticulture talks and workshops on various topics. The partnership between Toast.org and Airfield Estate began in 2021 when some of Toast’s Dublin-based employees volunteered with the charity. The launch of the community garden is one of several ways Toast.org will support Airfield Estate throughout 2023. (2)

Seaweeds are of immense value to marine ecosystems, and Kelp, the largest of them all, forms spectacular underwater forests that provide habitat for fish, clean the water, and sequester carbon. Unfortunately, large swathes of these subaquatic forests have disappeared from the coasts of many European countries, including Portugal (Ref. 2).
The "Sea Forester" project in Cascais aims to restore local kelp forests, which are essential for marine biodiversity and carbon sequestration. In collaboration with the Câmara Municipal de Cascais and Mossy Earth (social enterprise), the project assesses the historical and current state of seaweed populations and identifies environmental stressors. It employs innovative techniques like the "green gravel" method to restore kelp ecosystems. This project supports the region’s blue economy and resilience to climate change through carbon offsetting and enhanced ecosystem services (Ref 1; 6; 7). Supported by the EEA Innovation Grant, it combines scientific research and community engagement, positioning Cascais as a leader in marine conservation efforts (Ref 6).

Tirana's urban development has set a new record in 2022, when more than 1.8 million square meters of new buildings were constructed (Ref. 5). This rapid development increased the need for accessible urban green areas. At the Tulla Urban Farm, a wide audience is trained to create those green areas in their yards, balconies and roofs with the added benefit of growing produce for their own needs (Ref. 1,2,5). This practice of food autonomy is deeply rooted in Albanian culture but has been lost in urban settings where concrete has taken over the city (Ref. 1). Tulla Urban Farm addresses this issue by providing an inclusive space for people of diverse backgrounds to come together and experience urban gardening first hand under the guidance of professionals from the Agricultural University of Tirana (Ref. 2,3). In these "urban agricultural schools", workshops, seminars and discussions are held to re-cultivate traditional agro-cultural practices and knowledge that will benefit the participants, many of which are from marginalised backgrounds (Ref. 1, 4). All these activities are facilitated through the rooftop greenhouse of the Tulla Cultural Center, which harbours over 300 plants (Ref.1). As such, Tulla Urban Farm not only provides a space for experiencing and learning about plants but also for social interaction and building a community that also addresses more serious issues such as mental health in a society that faces high rates of unemployment (Ref. 1).
The project had received inital funding from the German GIZ in 2022 and won the Cultures of Resistance Award through which it financed the first two years of its programme and enabled free participation at the urban agricultural school for all participants (Ref. 2,4).

The Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge is a natural oasis in the heart of Lima. It is considered a marsh of international Ramsar importance, as it is home to a large number of species of flora and fauna. It includes 5 bodies of water with about 210 species of birds, 13 species of fish, and 5 species of amphibians and reptiles, among others (1). It was created in 2006, by Supreme Decree N°055-2006-AG, which established the definitive category for the Pantanos de Villa, under the name of The Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge (2). This protected area was established over an area of 263.27 ha, and its main goal is to conserve a representative sample of the Marshes of the Subtropical Pacific Desert, including important plant communities, as well as migratory and resident avifauna, focusing mainly on species with some degree of threat (1, 2, 6).
In 2016, a Master Plan was approved aimed at strengthening the conservation of the biological diversity of this coastal marsh and ensuring conditions to promote inter-institutional cooperation and participatory management, including neighbours, authorities, municipalities and interested institutions (2).
This Master Plan establishes environmental, economic and cultural indicators defined to be met over 5 years. These are focused on protecting water resources, conserving migratory and resident bird species, ensuring the conservation of the cattail, promoting tourism and recreational activities, fostering environmental awareness activities and engaging citizens in the management of the Refuge (2)
This plan seeks to confront a series of threats that endanger the conservation of this ecosystem. Among the main problems are the illegal extraction of natural resources, such as cattail; the improper use of the space for activities such as bonfires, consumption of illicit substances and pet walks; the change in land use due to urban expansion; pollution from effluent discharges and solid waste disposal; and illegal fishing (2)

The urban farm of Lak'a Uta is an initiative launched by the NGO Fundación Alternativas, which established the first community garden in Bolivia, located in the city of La Paz at an altitude of 3,600 meters above sea level (1-3). The initial plan was to develop the garden on private land, but since the goal was to create an open space accessible to all citizens, the project eventually sought a public location (3). The subdistrict of Cotahuma granted them permission to use the Lak'a Uta park, an abandoned area rendered unusable by two landslides in the previous year (3). Through voluntary efforts and an investment of 2,800 euros, the land was transformed over three years to accommodate 40 plots of 16m² each, with individual families cultivating a variety of vegetables (3).
Now celebrating its 10-year anniversary, the project adheres to many principles of organic agriculture in an urban setting (5). The area has become a biodiversity hotspot, featuring an artificial pond, 16 wild plant species, and 39 fauna species, including 34 bird species, two types of frogs that provide natural pest control, and three bee species (3-5). Compost is produced naturally using waste management practices and worms (4-5). In addition to edible vegetables, the garden produces medicinal plants, some of which help stabilize the soil and prevent further landslides (3-4). The infrastructure also includes a rainwater collection system (3-5).
Originally, the project aimed to improve access to food, particularly in response to the growing urban population (1-3). Over time, it has also fostered a strong sense of community, while promoting urban gardening through educational workshops and disseminating information nationwide (1-5). It is estimated that 20,000 people have been educated on urban agriculture, healthy eating, and reconnecting with nature (5). The project has also contributed to shaping a local government law supporting urban gardening within the municipality (3).

Biotope City Wienerberg is located in the southern part of Vienna on a 5.4-hectare site that once housed a Coca-Cola factory. It lies at the edge of the Wienerberg recreational area, surrounded by business parks and tower blocks to the west and predominantly detached houses to the east (Ref. 1).
The project embodies the concept of an "urban biotope" (Ref. 2), grounded in the principle that nature's mechanisms of self-regeneration are essential for mitigating the challenges of urban living and climate change. By integrating urban and natural spaces, Biotope City fosters both human-nature connections and social interactions through activities like community gardening. The project’s centerpiece is its extensive green infrastructure, including trees and green roofs, which serve to cool the microclimate, purify the air, enhance water retention, and create carbon sinks while providing habitats for local wildlife. These green spaces aim to improve physical health through cooling effects on hot days and support mental well-being with their calming influence (Ref. 1; Ref. 2).
Biotope City encompasses:
Around 980 flats, including 400 subsidized flats and 200 SMART flats
A school, a kindergarten, and 2,000 square meters of children's and youth playgrounds
600 square meters of community gardens and 3,850 square meters of ground-floor gardens
250 trees, 8,900 square meters of meadows, and 13,600 square meters of green roofs
2,200 square meters of façade greening
The inner courtyards and roof areas are designed for gardening, while façades are greened, and balconies are equipped with integrated plant troughs. Even the spaces between buildings are climate-effective, featuring unsealed catchment and seepage areas to manage water sustainably (Ref. 1).
The project’s implementation took 18 years and involved collaboration among various stakeholders. The concept was initiated by the Biotope City Foundation and funded by eight different investors (Ref. 2).