Online disclosure of technical reports (e.g. project documents, reports, or data)

HortaFCUL is a project created and managed by the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Lisbon to raise awareness and promote the practice of permaculture as a solution to the ecological, social, and economic problems the world is facing (1). This initiative began in 2009 on the University campus through a garden, which allowed HortaFCUL to start conducting some activities that could answer some socio-environmental challenges, such as food security and sovereignty, ecosystem degradation and climate change (13), by raising awareness, teaching, and practising many aspects involved in permaculture and urban agriculture (2). Its focus has been on regenerating soil in an urban environment and creating productive landscapes for people and other beings (12). They grow different types of plants (vegetables, shrubs, trees) in different ways (swales, raised beds, greenhouses) to increase plant diversity and foster ecosystems (13).
The project is managed by students and researchers, who hold educational activities, such as courses, workshops, and dissemination activities (events, discussions, fairs, and conferences) (2). The project is organised according to a non-hierarchical sociocratic model, in which all decisions are made as a group, and where all ideas, critiques, and suggestions are seen as added value and an opportunity to improve techniques and knowledge (3). Additionally, it is open to the community, allowing anyone interested to participate and volunteer (1).
HortaFCUL is also one of the pioneering permaculture projects in operation in the Lisbon region and is now recognized as a national reference centre for permaculture (2). Since its inception, HortaFCUL has sought to be a hub that attracts people, organizations, and other initiatives, and it is currently a point of contact between different projects and associations, such as local businesses, educational institutions, and networks (5).

The Mediterranean climate in Lisbon, already characterised by low precipitation, has been further exacerbated by climate change. The city faces challenges related to biodiversity loss, urban loneliness, and climate anxiety (1). To address these issues, Lisbon's urban development plans have prioritised the re-naturalisation of urban spaces and the integration of ecological networks. Urban nature is now a central component of the city's Master Plan (2012) and other strategic agendas (1).
It is being developed by the LISGREEN project, which aims to enhance ecological connectivity and mitigate the effects of urban heat islands in Lisbon. By establishing nature-based solutions, it aims to restore forests within the city (1, 2, 3). This project encompasses different strategies, such as the RENATURA pilot project. It is a collaboration with the NGO URBEM and involves active public participation in tree planting and forest maintenance. This initiative aims to educate the community about nature, promote well-being, and mitigate extreme climate events (1), through the creation of urban forests.
The main strategy is to create fast forests using the Miyawaki method, which involves dense planting of native trees, removal of invasive plants, and intensive initial care. This approach accelerates the growth of natural forests within a short period, using native species and reducing the need for watering (1)
The first fast forest was developed in Parque Casal Vistoso within Bela Vista Park, within the Eastern Green Corridor of Lisbon. The park is being underutilised because of the lack of shade (1). Thus, this initiative encouraged volunteers to participate in tree planting and forest maintenance activities (3). The NbS intervention began with a 300m² experimental plot near the Vale da Montanha pedestrian bridge and has since expanded to a new 1,500m² plot on the opposite side of the bridge (2). Over 500 volunteers joined the effort, planting more than 3,800 trees (1)

Lisbon is facing an increasing threat linked to climate change due to its geographical location and climate (6), which has had a negative impact on health and quality of life in the city (5). Its average annual precipitation is decreasing, although the city experiences more winter precipitation. This results in longer droughts and more seasonal flooding, which reduces water retention and soil conservation (6). Average temperatures are increasing by 14°C per year, with maximum temperatures up to 5°C higher (6).
As an adaptation measure to these challenges, the LIFE LUNGS project aims to increase Lisbon's resilience by implementing green infrastructure and promoting related ecosystem services (1, 3, 5, 6). Thus, it focuses on measures aimed at coping with temperature increase, mitigating the effects of heat waves and water scarcity, which are expected to become more frequent, being in line with the climate policies adopted by the municipality. The project runs from 2019/2020 to 2024/2025 (1, 5, 6). It aims to address cross-cutting issues such as climate, water and biodiversity (3). The project expects to work hand in hand with the City of Malaga, which has been developing projects aimed at adapting the city to climate change. It is expected to replicate the work in Malaga and post-project to 2 national territories, and 1 in the EU (4). It is also intended to transfer the project work to be implemented in private areas that are part of Lisbon's green infrastructure, and to disseminate and technically train municipalities of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area and other municipalities committed to climate change adaptation (4).

Sri Lanka faces multiple natural hazards, including tropical storms, flash floods, and landslides. As the country's urban population has grown, development projects have encroached on wetlands, compromising their natural flood protection, air and water purification, and carbon storage capabilities. Additionally, hilly regions are at risk of landslides, particularly during the monsoon season, posing significant threats to vulnerable communities (4).
To address these challenges, the World Bank and the Sri Lankan government collaborated on the Metro Colombo Urban Development Project. This initiative focused on nature-based solutions (NBS) as cost-effective and sustainable approaches to risk management (4). By strengthening natural processes and ecosystem services, the project aimed to mitigate hazards such as floods, erosion, and landslides (4). Technical assessments by the World Bank highlighted the importance of wetlands in flood protection, leading to efforts to protect and restore 20 square kilometres of freshwater lakes, wetlands, and swamps (1, 4).
The project supported the Sri Lankan government in reducing flooding in the Colombo Water Basin and enhanced local authorities' capacity to manage infrastructure and services. It prioritised metropolitan investments to mitigate the physical and socioeconomic impacts of flooding and aimed to build long-term capacity for urban management and local service delivery (6).

The Waliwa project, launched in 2017 by the municipality of Sainte-Luce, is a collaborative effort dedicated to restoring marine biodiversity, enhancing the ecological balance of the bay area, revitalizing the local ecosystem and supporting sustainable economic activities. By focusing on marine biodiversity conservation, Waliwa addresses several critical environmental challenges. The project helps mitigate coastline erosion, support the blue economy through artisanal fishing and tourism, and foster an environmentally friendly culture among the local community.
So far, the Waliwa project has implemented three initiatives: it restored the Gros Raisin backshore to address erosion and provide nesting sea turtles with protected space (Ref 4). The project also intervened to restore the Pont Café pond, which was covered in Salvinia Molesta, preventing the intake of oxygen and hampering its role as a water filter, habitat for species and flood regulator .
Furthermore, the project has conducted studies and raised awareness about the challenges posed by wastewater management on the health of municipal water bodies. Through these efforts, Waliwa is working to create a more sustainable and resilient marine environment for future generations. (Ref 4, 5, 6; 12)

The Acropora Project is a coral restoration initiative launched in 2015 by the Martinican Regional Directorate of Environment, Planning, and Housing, primarily implemented by the nonprofit organization Assomer. It focuses on two critically endangered Caribbean coral species: Acropora cervicornis and Acropora palmata, as classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. While Acropora palmata thrives on the Atlantic seabed of Martinique, Acropora cervicornis had seemingly vanished from local waters by 2007, despite previously providing crucial habitats for marine life. However, this species was rediscovered in 2013 at Loup Caravelle on the Atlantic side of Martinique.
The initiative began by extracting cuttings from both species at Loup Caravelle and nurturing them at a separate site in Le Diamant. In 2019, these corals were transplanted to three locations on the seabed of Sainte-Luce, demonstrating surprising growth patterns despite the site's low to medium environmental quality.
The project's primary aim was to prevent the permanent disappearance of both coral species through spatial replication techniques, including cutting and transplantation. Particular attention was given to enhancing the genetic variability and range of Acropora cervicornis. The initiative also aimed to raise awareness about current coral conservation challenges.
Additionally, the project included a research component that contributed to a better understanding of environmental conservation and the restoration of Acropora cervicornis populations. Unfortunately, a temperature increase at the end of 2023 resulted in the decimation of all corals at the transplant sites. (Ref. 1 -5)

Located between the Rotes Rathaus, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße, Nikolai Quarter, Spreeufer and the television tower, the old founding centre of Berlin is one of the capital's most important urban open spaces. This open space between the TV tower and the Spree is being redesigned on the basis of an international open space planning competition and many years of public participation. With further development, this touristically significant location in the historic centre of Berlin will undergo a climate-resilient redesign and upgrade with great design and functional quality. (Ref. 1)
The listed areas of the Rathausforum and the Marx-Engels-Forum will in future be connected to form a continuous ribbon of open space that runs from Alexanderplatz to the Spree. Central areas will be unsealed and green spaces will be created that can be used in a variety of ways, which will also be attractive places to spend time and improve the microclimate. Trees and shrubs will be planted on already existing and new green areas. The aim is to respectfully consider the numerous visible and hidden historical references and at the same time transform the site into a sustainable urban open space that combines a high quality of recreation, sustainability and culture. Next to plants, a new rainwater management system is being implemented that stores rainwater and uses the created green spaces to evaporate water. Playgrounds and a water fountain are further additions to a new recreational area. (Ref. 3; Ref. 4; Ref. 5)
The project is characterized by a years-long participation process. Around 10.000 citizens participated in feedback rounds, workshops, dialogues, and information sessions in which they could voice they wishes and ideas for the area. The project is implemented and organized by the state-owned company Grün Berlin, which engage with various stakeholders since 2015. Preparations for the construction start in late 2024 and the project is expected to be finished in 2030. (Ref. 5; Ref. 9)

The Swedish Geotechnical Institute, a government agency, and the county administrative boards in Västra Götaland and Scania are running a project which tests methods to prevent erosion of coastal salt meadows. Erosion risks destroying unique ecosystems, and the aim is to develop cost-efficient, nature-based mitigation methods that can be replicated in other sites with similar problems. The project is part of an EU-funded Interreg North Sea project called MAinstreaming NAture BAsed Solutions through COASTal systems (MANABAS COAST), which involves other countries in the region [Ref. 1, 5]. Four different salt meadows are included in the Swedish part of the project. The sites are called pilot areas and are meant to test and showcase NBS to inform policy and develop methods that can be used in larger scales in the future. One of the sites is located at Glose in Kungälv municipality within the Gothenburg FUA [Ref. 2-4]. Here, the biodiversity of a salt meadow used for grazing and the adjacent coastal waters are threatened by erosion. According to a new management plan, NBS such as natural barriers will be implemented to break waves and halt erosion, preserving the ecosystems, improving water quality and ensuring the land continued use as a pasture for grazing cattle [Ref. 4].

The Fazenda Futuro project was created in 2010 by the State Secretariat of Justice of Rondônia, with the aim of reintegrating people deprived of their liberty through agricultural work and providing training to enable them to develop skills for entry into the labor market once they have served their sentence (2). Located on 309 hectares donated by the Union, near the Ênio Pinheiro Agricultural Penal Colony in Porto Velho, the project offers participants training in agriculture and practical experience in the cultivation of various food species (4).
Since its inception, the project has worked with 81 people, offering them opportunities for income generation and sentence reduction (4). The farm's products have been distributed among public institutions, social entities and the participants themselves (3, 4). Although initially focused on donations, the project is exploring partnerships with the Community Council to market its products and generate income for future investments (3), as well as starting to generate products such as sweets and jams that can be marketed (3).
Through work in the garden, participants and their families receive compensation through the Sejus prison fund and benefit from sentence reduction through labor relief, as stipulated by the Penal Enforcement Law. This provides them with practical agricultural experience, which enhances their employability (3, 5).

The former Kulturpark Plänterwald, once the only permanent amusement park in the GDR, closed in 2001 due to declining visitor numbers. Over time, the 23-hectare site became a ‘lost place,’ falling into disrepair. In 2014, the state of Berlin reacquired the area, and two years later, Grün Berlin initiated its redevelopment with a sustainable development concept that places significant emphasis on rainwater management.
The project’s goal is to avoid discharging rainwater into the sewer system and instead manage all precipitation on-site. This approach addresses both heavy rainfall events and extreme drought conditions, creating a sustainable rainwater management system. A central element of this concept is the historic but dried-up water basin located near the iconic Ferris wheel. Plans include redesigning and reactivating the basin, incorporating terraces and a shallow water zone, transforming it into a key part of the rainwater cycle while providing an attractive recreational and adventure area. (Ref. 1; Ref. 2)
In the future, the water basin will no longer be purely decorative but will serve as a critical artificial water reservoir. To support this function, it will be equipped with a natural horizontal filter system featuring reeds for rainwater purification. Pre-treated water will flow into the newly designed 3,000-square-metre basin near the Ferris wheel. Rainwater collected in the basin, along with water stored in cisterns throughout the park, will irrigate the site’s vegetation. This innovative approach ensures sustainable water use and contributes to the ecological revitalization of the park. (Ref. 1; Ref. 3)
By integrating sustainable rainwater management into its redevelopment, the former Kulturpark Plänterwald is being transformed into a resilient and environmentally conscious space, combining historical preservation with modern ecological practices.