(Re)Natured Cities arises from the urgent need for sustainable urban transition in Europe. Currently, more than half of the world’s population lives in cities, and by 2050, 6.5 billion people are expected to inhabit urban areas. This places significant pressure on ecosystem services and biodiversity. Paradoxically, many cities prioritise aesthetically “perfect” green and blue spaces – manicured lawns, exotic flowers – at the expense of ecological functionality, biodiversity and climate resilience.​

At the same time, there are deep-seated inequalities: economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods have access to green spaces of much lower quality, which affects community health and well-being. Portugal, Ireland, Italy and Cyprus face particular challenges in terms of environmental compatibility, the conservation of native biodiversity and the control of invasive alien species (which cause millions in damage to Europe every year). Meanwhile, traditional management methods (maintenance, resources, costs) do not keep pace with the ambitions of the European Green Deal and the Biodiversity Strategy 2030.

The project also recognises the gap in adult education on these issues: there is a lack of practical, accessible and locally relevant resources to enable local authorities and communities to adopt genuine sustainable practices in their day-to-day lives.

Supporting local authorities in their ecological transition

Promoting sustainable practices in line with nature-based solutions

Improving biodiversity and ecosystem services

Raising environmental awareness and ecological literacy

Encouraging citizens’ participation and sense of belonging

Strengthening cities’ resilience to climate change

In local authorities: greater knowledge and technical capacity to manage green and blue spaces sustainably; adoption of new practices in at least some of these spaces; improved cooperation between departments and with environmental experts.

Among adults/citizens: increased awareness of local biodiversity, invasive species and climate change; greater involvement in environmental volunteering; a sense of belonging and pride in their city’s green spaces.

In partner organisations: new methodologies for adult education on sustainability, more European networks and enhanced capacity to work with local authorities.

Survey of Current Practices (“Green Views“): interviews with municipal officials, field observations and documentation of the current state of urban green and blue spaces and the practical challenges faced.

Development of Technical Modules: 6 modules on nature-based solutions for the management and maintenance of urban green and blue spaces.

Accessible Flipbook (“Flipping Green“): integrating local results into a practical and inclusive resource.

LTTA Activity (Technical Mobility): a transnational meeting of municipal technicians, environmental specialists and project managers to exchange knowledge on nature-based solutions (NBS).

Species Identification: an outdoor community activity in which members of the public identify, photograph and geotag species, contributing to an interactive map.

Practical Rehabilitation and Volunteering Programme: a group of volunteers will work in a specific urban green and blue space identified as requiring intervention.

National Multiplier Events: workshops, seminars and themed fairs to present the project’s results in the partner countries.

Final Conference, featuring presentations on best practices, international workshops and a presentation of the project’s results in the coordinating country.

“Flipping Green“: an illustrated guide comprising technical modules and infographics.

Local Hopes: a compilation of success stories relating to environmental restoration and mitigation in partner countries.

Natural Heritage Guide: a list of key and invasive species, with identification tips and information on their ecological importance.

Interactive Biodiversity Map: a digital platform where communities share data on species they have observed.

Documentary “Green Memories“: about the volunteer programme and the project’s outcomes.

“Sustainability Pledge“: a formal commitment by the project consortium to good environmental practices.

Transnational Network: comprising municipal officials, environmental experts, NGOs and local communities for post-project collaboration.