Public disclosure of project funding sources and/or budgets

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)

In the bay of Fort-de-France, mangroves cover nearly 1,300 hectares, representing about 70% of the total mangrove area in Martinique. This plant formation, characteristic of tropical marine environments, is essential for the ecological balance of the bay. Mangroves act as filters, purifying marine and river waters, protecting the coastline against erosion, and providing habitat for various marine flora and fauna.
However, this fragile ecosystem is threatened by wave-induced erosion, urbanization, the spread of invasive species, and pollution. In response to these challenges, the French Coastal Protection Agency (Conservatoire de l'espace littoral et des rivages lacustres, CELRL) and its partners have launched an initiative to restore several mangrove areas as part of the “Contrat de la Grande Baie de Martinique" which is a collaborative initiative aimed at the sustainable management and restoration of the coastal and marine environment of the Greater Bay of Martinique. This contract typically involves partnerships between various stakeholders, including government agencies, local municipalities, environmental organizations, and community groups. The project identified several sites totaling 3.81 hectares in the Greater Bay area that require reclamation.
The project aims to restore mangrove populations by creating favorable conditions through actions such as clearing invasive species and trash, followed by replanting with white, black, or red mangrove seedlings, depending on the environmental characteristics of each site. Additionally, the initiative seeks to engage the public and youth through volunteering days and awareness campaigns (Refs 1-9).

The Ringsend Open-Air Laboratory project in Dublin, Ireland, is part of a broader effort to adapt urban areas to increasing climate change risks. This initiative focuses on installing green roofs and deploying a network of environmental sensors to enhance urban resilience. Launched in 2018 under the Horizon 2020 OPERANDUM project, the effort seeks to find nature-based solutions for climate change impacts worldwide. Led by the University of Bologna, OPERANDUM involves over 20 partners, primarily in Europe, working together to address environmental challenges like flooding, drought, and coastal erosion through the establishment of ten "Open Air Laboratories" globally.
In Dublin, the project aims to bolster flood resilience in Ringsend, a critical economic area near the city’s tech district, which faces substantial flood risks due to its low elevation and proximity to the Dodder River. This river, which flows through both rural and urban areas before meeting the River Liffey near Ringsend, has caused property and infrastructure damage from extreme rainfall and combined river and tidal flooding.
Green roofs play a key role in mitigating urban flood risks in this project. These rooftop gardens absorb large volumes of rainfall before it reaches the streets, easing the load on existing flood prevention systems like storm drains and gullies and reducing the need for additional "grey" infrastructure. Based on community insights and recommendations, construction has begun on a green roof on top of the CHQ building in Dublin’s Docklands, in partnership with Dogpatch Labs.Complementing this, over 100 sensors have been deployed in recent research trials across Dublin. OPERANDUM researchers are now building on this foundation to create a denser, more reliable, and cost-effective sensor network, with data from earlier low-cost sensor trials made publicly accessible via Dublinked, Dublin’s open data platform, and exploring the use of LPWAN for environmental sensing. (1-5, 7)

Torslanda School is a newly built elementary school (years 0-6) where the schoolyard includes innovative ways to manage rainwater. The school was initially part of the Rain Gothenburg project, which aims to make the city, and this school, the best in the world when it rains. It was also a pilot project within the city's "equal building" initiative, aiming to make indoor and outdoor environments accessible and attractive to everyone regardless of gender identity, functional diversity or age [Ref. 1]. The main element of the schoolyard is a "river" to which water will be led when it rains, combining stormwater management with opportunities for play and education. The system will retain about 310 m3 of water and treat it before releasing it to a recipient. The river will be used to teach the children about climate, ecology, biodiversity and the water cycle. The river and schoolyard are connected to a natural wetland [Ref. 3, 4]. The school is run by the City of Gothenburg, who initiated the project, employing an architecture firm and a construction company to design and build the school and schoolyard [Ref. 3-5].

Alexandria is one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable cities, facing serious environmental challenges that threaten its landscape, culture, and livability. The city is grappling with rising sea levels, pollution, extreme fluctuations in temperature, and the intensifying urban heat island effect, all of which are worsened by climate change. The past decade has seen a steady decline in Alexandria’s parks and green areas, a trend that has raised significant concerns among environmentalists and the public. The shrinking green spaces are largely due to rapid urban expansion and the development of commercial projects, which are gradually pushing Alexandria's environmental balance and cultural heritage to the edge.
In recognition of these pressing issues, Egypt launched the "100 Million Trees Initiative" in 2022 as part of its Egypt Vision 2030, a national plan for sustainable development. The initiative aims to increase the per capita share of green space throughout the country, with objectives that include improving air quality, enhancing public health, countering the urban heat island effect, and reducing greenhouse gases. The initiative is also focused on improving the beauty and cultural value of Egypt's urban areas, aligning with broader goals to build sustainable and climate-resilient cities. Alexandria, being a coastal city that is both environmentally sensitive and culturally significant, has been a focal point of these efforts.
As part of this national campaign, the Governor of Alexandria was tasked with overseeing the enhancement and expansion of green spaces across the city, focusing on both the aesthetics and cultural aspects of the urban landscape. In 2023, these efforts took root in the Al-Muntazah 2 neighborhood, where 596 trees were planted as a contribution to the 100 Million Trees Initiative. This project included the Al-Samad Preparatory and Secondary Schools campus as one of its primary planting sites. (1-5)

The initiative consists of an afforestation campaign promoted by the local government of La Paz, with the objective of planting 10,000 trees and shrubs (1 & 2). Carried out between 2023 and 2024, the campaign included plantations across all the macrodistricts of La Paz (1). To ensure the campaign's success, the municipality encouraged the participation of volunteers from various institutions, such as public services, environmental groups, schools and universities, neighborhood associations, church groups, and even Army and Navy units (1 & 2). The trees play specific roles in mitigating climate change, improving air quality, reducing odors from nearby landfills, and decreasing the risk of landslides and soil erosion (3 & 4). Furthermore, the campaign aims to foster environmental awareness among citizens and replace trees lost due to illegal deforestation (1).

The species selected for planting were provided by EMAVERDE, the public company responsible for managing green spaces in the city. The selection included primarily native species, along with a few introduced ones, all chosen for their resilience to La Paz's varying climate conditions (1, 2 & 4). Given the challenging climate and difficult soil conditions, the municipality informed volunteers about the importance of maintaining the saplings, particularly during drought periods, to ensure their proper growth (1 & 2). The campaign also supported the municipality’s urban development plan (Plan Territorial de Desarrollo Integral "Para Vivir Bien") and the "Plan Integral de Recuperación de la Tormenta a la Esperanza," the latter developed in response to extreme rain events and floods that occurred during the campaign months (5).

The riparian forest of Montgérald, through which the “Monsieur” River flows, is located within Fort-de-France and boasts rich biodiversity, featuring around 100 species of shrubs and trees and about 30 animal species, including 16 types of birds. It is one of the last remnants of the mesophilic forest type and the only example in a French peri-urban setting. This unique ecosystem is recognized as a Natural Area of Ecological, Faunal, and Floral Interest (ZNIEFF) and a Classified Wooded Area (EBC), underscoring the need for conservation efforts.
Covering nearly 21 hectares, this site offers ecological benefits like air quality improvement and temperature regulation, providing a "fresh air island" near the city center. However, it faces significant challenges, including flooding caused by climate change and heavy rains, which exacerbate erosion along the Monsieur River. The area is also threatened by invasive alien species, making conservation measures even more crucial.
Since 2015, the municipality of Fort-de-France, along with project partners, has been working on developing this natural space for both conservation and public engagement purposes. The most recent actions occurred in 2020, including riverbank restoration, clearing invasive species, and creating walking paths and educational installations. Additionally, the project features an awareness campaign targeting local schools. The ongoing initiative aims to merge biodiversity conservation with community recreational use and environmental education, ensuring the resilience of this vital ecosystem against the impacts of climate change. (Refs. 1, 2, 3)

The PARC Rain Garden project in Plymouth, Michigan, is an innovative initiative led by the Plymouth Arts and Recreation Complex (PARC) and Friends of the Rouge, aimed at addressing stormwater management and enhancing local environmental quality. Supported by a $400,000 grant from Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) through its Nonpoint Source Program, this project will involve the construction of over 31,500 square feet of rain gardens located on the property of Plymouth Arts and Recreation Complex (PARC). These gardens are designed to filter up to 240,000 gallons of stormwater per rainfall event, preventing runoff from entering local waterways like the Tonquish Creek. The rain gardens will also mitigate flooding, reduce pollution, and create a more stable water flow in the Rouge River watershed, which is heavily impacted by urban development.
In addition to their environmental benefits, the rain gardens will provide aesthetic and ecological value to the PARC campus. The plantings, featuring native Michigan species, will create habitats for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds, complementing the existing beehives on the PARC rooftop. The project aims to showcase the feasibility of integrating green infrastructure into routine construction, encouraging its adoption in other urban areas and residential spaces.
Ultimately, the PARC Rain Garden project will not only improve stormwater management but also serve as a model for sustainable urban development, enhancing the landscape while fostering environmental stewardship in the Plymouth community.
(Ref.1,2)

Chandler Park, a historic park in Detroit constructed in the 1800s, underwent multiple expansions from 1922 to 1950 to include amenities such as a pool (later converted into a water park), a golf course, and public green spaces. In 2013, an expert panel recommended constructing a 2.5-million-gallon marshland within the park to provide a unique recreational and educational feature and incorporate green infrastructure principles for improved stormwater management. Completed in December 2019, the Chandler Park marshland was a collaborative project between The Greening of Detroit and the Chandler Park Conservancy, designed to enhance Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) across 200 acres.
The marshland manages 2.5 million gallons of stormwater, substantially reducing the load on Detroit’s combined sewer system and minimizing basement flooding during heavy rains. Engineered with rain gardens, bioswales, and a pump system circulating up to 4 feet of water, the marshland fosters a balanced ecosystem with higher oxygen levels, benefiting local flora and fauna.
With 4,500 native plants, the marshland supports diverse wildlife, including migrating birds, turtles, frogs, pollinators like bees and butterflies, and natural mosquito predators. This project not only contributes to flood mitigation but also improves water quality by capturing stormwater and allowing pollutants to settle.
Additionally, the marshland provides a foundation for future environmental education, with plans to add an outdoor classroom and public learning spaces. The use of native plants ensures low maintenance and sustainability, requiring minimal water and fertilizers. By creating new habitats and recreational areas, the Chandler Park Marshland promotes biodiversity, environmental education, and community engagement, while alleviating urban runoff’s impact on Detroit’s sewer system.
(Ref.1-3)

The Rimac River Special Landscape Project, developed by the Municipal Programme for the Recovery of the Historic Centre of Lima (PROLIMA), is a municipal proposal that arose as a response to the significant degradation of the Rimac River as it passes through the historic centre of the Peruvian capital. The river has lost its character as a green corridor and potential public recreational space for citizens (1, 3). The main problems affecting the river are related to the erosion and risk of flooding of the river space, the ecological degradation of its channels and banks, the disconnection and low quality of adjacent public spaces and the urban fragmentation caused by car-oriented mobility (2). To recover its essence as an ecological green corridor, it was proposed to give back to the Historical Centre its riverside identity and to recover the water, environmental and scenic landscape. This project aims to restore the Rímac to its role as a geographical heritage and backbone of the city of Lima, creating a system of accessible and sustainable public spaces that will help to recover this water, urban and historical landscape, as well as providing a better quality of life for the residents and users of the Historical Centre (1).
The project consists of 4 stages of intervention: Puente del Ejército - Puente Santa Rosa / Puente Santa Rosa - Puente Balta / Puente Balta - Límite
of the CHL to the east (5). Among the interventions that make up the Special River Landscape Project are: the renaturation of the 4 km of the Rimac River as it passes through the city, the construction of 14 parks, 7 squares, 1 tree planting project, 24 street renovation projects, 7 bridges/pedestrian walkways, 10 building rehabilitations and 2 new public facilities (4). It is planned to start implementing the project by the end of 2024 (4).