Networks and cities' news

Celebrating urban biodiversity that provides great benefits for cities and citizens

Spring and the Summer was really loud in BiodiverCity partner cities as they organised BiodiverCity Festivals celebrating urban biodiversity. Tree plantations, guided tours, promotion of monumental trees, forest bathing, craft workshops, art exhibitions, cultural programmes and interactive activities promoting biodiversity were organised for all generations in 10 corners of Europe. Urban green areas are indeed great assets to engage residents and explain the benefits of nature (the so-called ecosystem services). However, while thousands of residents actively participate in tree plantations, which is great, fewer people are aware that most of these ecosystem services are provided by mature trees. And in many parts of Europe, they face serious challenges like never-before-seen droughts, increased pollution (traffic, dogs, humans) and neglect by public utility companies when earthworks are needed.

Read our Quarterly Network Report 6 summarising the learning journey of the BiodiverCity URBACT Action Planning Network between April and June 2025

Green transition – this is what YOU can do every day!

Biodivercity case study 14 - Creating urban wild life and green corridors for the benefit of nature and people

Urban areas might harbor high diversity of species. Urban landscapes can be, for instance, especially valuable for pollinators and shelter a relatively high pollinator diversity compared to monoculture-dominated agricultural landscapes due to the high variety, availability, and temporarily even distribution of floral resources. Conservation within urban areas can be essential for many species and, of course, beneficial for residents for multiple reasons through the ecosystem services green areas provide. 

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Culture as lever for participation and interaction WELDI’s 9th transnational meeting in Seine-Saint-Denis

Copying Neighbours - augmented edition

More lessons learned about how to transfer inspiring practices between cities on sustainable food?

Take a look at last BioCanteens URBACT Transfer Network publication

SPORT & THE CITY: Street Culture, Sports & Urban Regeneration in Verona

SPORT & THE CITY is Verona’s Street Culture and Sports Festival, part of the European project Re-Gen, promoted by the Municipality of Verona with local partners Le Fate ETS and Nuova Acropoli. The events, held on May 10 and May 17, engaged young people from the neighborhoods of Santa Lucia, Golosine, and Borgo Roma through sports, music, art, and community activities. Alongside the festival, FABRICA URBANA Workshop explored urban regeneration in Borgo Roma area.