EURECA - European Urban Ecology Academy

2025-02-28

Transnational Meeting in Malaga

The third transnational meeting of the Erasmus+ project European Urban Ecology Academy (EURECA) took place in Malaga, Spain, from 27 to 31 January, organised by Internet Web Solutions, one of the five consortium partners. During the meeting, an evaluation of the project implementation was conducted and preparations were made for the launch of the e-learning course on urban ecology, consisting of five modules covering the following topics: urban ecosystems, water, energy, waste and green cities. The meeting included guided visits to examples of good ecological practices and environmental sustainability initiatives in Malaga, as well as a visit to the International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders, which operates under the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. There, discussions were held on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. One of the places visited was the Hotel Mariposa, whose facade is covered with a vertical hydroponic garden irrigated with recycled water. Located in the centre of Malaga, it is an example of the integration of natural principles into building architecture in an urban environment. Another place visited was Plaza Mayor, one of the best practices included in the EURECA course. During a morning visit, representatives of the partners consortium had the opportunity to explore in detail the gardens of this shopping centre. These gardens form a true ecosystem, combining a wide variety of plants and animals in a natural and sustainable approach, supported by an elevated level of technology. The Historical Botanic Garden La Concepción, north of Malaga and founded in 1855, was another site visited. The garden is home to more than 50,000 plants, including 3,000 tropical, subtropical and native species, and absorbs around 2,670 tonnes of CO2 per year. It is classified as a Site of Cultural Interest. In 2019, the garden hosted a meeting of the Ibero-Macaronesian Association of Botanic Gardens, where the Malaga Declaration on Climate Change will be approved.

2025-02-28

EURECA Course Begins Testing in April

The EURECA course on urban ecology will be tested between April and July in the five project partner countries (Czechia, Spain, Italy, Poland and Portugal), in the national language version of each country. The course also has an English version, available on the website. The course, in online digital format, consists of five modules with five units each, covering various aspects of the key issues of urban ecology in a practical approach related to people's daily lives and their impact on the environment. The themes of the modules and units are as follows: M1. CITIES FOR PEOPLE U1. People-centred urban planning. U2. Architecture and Construction. U3. Mobility and Accessibility. U4. Production and consumption. U5. Citizen’s participation. M2. WATER MANAGEMENT U1. Water shortage. U2. Water revitalisation. U3. Urban islands. U4. Irrigation. U5. Water retention in the landscape. M3. LESS ENERGY, BETTER FUTURE U1. Pro-environmental management of electricity. U2. Pro-environmental thermal energy management. U3. Community and local energy initiatives. U4. Energy management in cities. U5. DIY: how to build a solar kitchen. M4. WASTE MANAGEMENT U1. Introduction: Basics of urban waste management U2. Recycling and Reuse: transforming waste into resources. U3. Circular economy and waste. U4. Community involvement and behaviour change. U5. Environmental and health impacts of urban waste. M5. THE GREEN CITY U1. Benefits of greenery at home and in the city. U2. Plants at home, environmentally friendly growing methods. U3. Plants in the garden, organic growing methods. U4. Green building applications. U5. Neighbourhood and urban green spaces. The tests will serve to assess the adequacy of the course materials to the needs and expectations of a wide variety of adult learners and identify necessary and possible improvements.

2025-02-28

2024: The Hottest Year ever

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year ever recorded, with a global average temperature increase of 1.55 degrees Celsius (°C) above the pre-industrial average of 1850-1900. Similarly, January 2025 was the warmest ever recorded, with the global average temperature 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels. The Copernicus Climate Change Monitoring Service reports that last January was the 18th out of the last 19 months to exceed the 1.5°C increase—the threshold set by the Paris Agreement for global warming above the pre-industrial levels. The European Copernicus service highlights that not even the occurrence of La Niña — a cyclical natural weather phenomenon that cools the Pacific Ocean, counteracting the warming effects of El Niño — was not enough to prevent January from being the hottest month on record. Global warming is also increasing in the ocean, with 2024 recording the highest sea surface temperatures and ocean heat content in the upper 2,000 metres ever observed. This conclusion comes from 54 scientists from seven countries and 31 institutes, who analysed a huge dataset and published in January the article "Record High Temperatures in the Ocean in 2024" in the magazine Advances in Atmospheric Science. Glaciers are also suffering the effects of global warming, with an annual loss of 273 billion tonnes of ice since the beginning of the century. This is the finding of 61 scientists from 49 research centres in18 countries, who published the article "Community Estimate of Global Glacier Mass Changes from 2000 to 2023" in Nature this February. On a global scale, European glaciers in the Alps and Pyrenees are melting the fastest. Since 2000, the loss of glacier ice has already contributed to an 18 millimetre rise in sea level. The threat of glacier disappearance has prompted United Nations General Assembly to declare 2025 the International Year of Glacier Conservation. On 21 March, the world will celebrate the first World Glacier Day. The climate crisis has worsened in 2024, which "means we have to fight even harder to get on the right track. The extreme temperatures of 2024 demand bold climate action in 2025. There is still time to avoid the worst of climate catastrophe. But world leaders must act now," said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

2025-02-28

EU Aims to Reduce Food and Textile Waste

The European Council and Parliament have agreed to reduce food and textile waste in the European Union (EU). Food waste will be subject to binding reduction targets to be met at national level by 31 December 2030. Textiles will be subject to a waste tax to be paid by producers and fashion brands. The Food Waste Reduction Agreement sets a target of a 10% reduction in food processing and manufacturing, and a 30% per capita reduction in retail, restaurants, catering and households. These targets, the first set at EU level, will be measured against the average annual waste generated between 2021 and 2023. Currently, EU countries collectively generate nearly 60 million tonnes of food waste - equivalent to 130 kilograms per European citizen. The agreement also encourages the voluntary donation of unsold food that is still safe for human consumption, a practice already in place in several European countries. On reducing textile waste, the agreement will make manufacturers and fashion brands responsible for paying a tax to co-finance the collection and treatment of textile waste. This tax will vary according to the durability and recyclability of the products, and will aim to discourage the excessive production of fast fashion, where garments are discarded before reaching their full lifespan. Textile and clothing production and consumption are among the most polluting activities worldwide, generating 12.6 million tonnes of waste annually in the EU—equivalent to 28 kilograms per European citizen. Under current regulations, EU Member States have already been required to set up selective collection schemes for textile waste since 1 January this year. The provisional agreements now reached between the Council Presidency and representatives of the European Parliament need to be ratified by both institutions before the formal adoption process. Once approved, Member States will need to update their national legislation to comply with the new rules.

2024-07-31

EU Nature Restoration Law approved

The European Union Nature Restoration Law (NRL) had its final approval in June, with the objectives of restoring ecosystems, habitats and species in decline. All EU countries will have to adopt a National Restoration Plan, with specific targets. By 2030, at least 30% of terrestrial, coastal, marine and freshwater habitats in an unfavorable state of conservation must be restored. By 2040 the percentage will increase to 60% and by 2050 to 90%. EU Member States will also have to ensure that no significant deterioration occurs in the areas subject to restoration. The NRL is an important part of the European Green Deal, providing for several important actions to achieve the nature recovery objectives: ● Habitat Restoration: Implementation of measures to restore degraded habitats, such as forests, wetlands, rivers and coastal areas. ● Species Reintroduction: Programs to reintroduce native species that have become extinct or are in danger of extinction. ● Pollution Reduction: Actions to reduce soil, water and air pollution, which negatively affect ecosystems. ● Sustainable Agriculture: Promotion of sustainable agricultural practices that protect biodiversity and natural resources. ● Protection of Marine Areas: Creation and expansion of protected marine areas to conserve marine life and coastal ecosystems. ● Monitoring and Reporting: Establishment of monitoring systems to track the progress of restoration actions and report results regularly. For bigger cities, the Nature Restoration Law foresees several actions, of which the following stand out: ● Creation of Green Spaces: Increase the quantity and quality of parks, gardens and urban green areas to provide habitats for local fauna and flora. ● Ecological Corridors: Establish ecological corridors that connect different green areas, allowing the safe movement of species and promoting biodiversity. ● Green Roofs and Walls: Encourage the installation of green roofs and walls on buildings to improve air quality, reduce urban temperatures and create new habitats. ● Rainwater Management: Implement sustainable rainwater management systems, such as rain gardens and retention basins, to reduce flood risk and improve water quality. ● River and Stream Rehabilitation: Restore urban waterways to improve water quality, create aquatic habitats and reduce flood risk. ● Promoting Urban Agriculture: Support the creation of community gardens and other forms of urban agriculture to increase food resilience and promote biodiversity. These actions to restore nature in cities will improve the quality of life of their inhabitants, providing leisure spaces, reducing pollution and mitigating the effects of climate change.

2024-07-31

What is the European Green Deal

The European Green Deal (EGD) is a political and economic strategy that aims to make the European Union (EU) climate neutral by 2050, making the fight against climate change the new model of economic and social growth. The EGD was presented by the European Commission in December 2019 and since then the 27 EU Member States have been producing legislation, launching initiatives and setting objectives, such as, for example, reducing greenhouse gas emissions in 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. The EGD is a transversal strategy that covers several sectoral policies and a vast set of actions articulated in eight areas: 1. Increasing the EU's climate ambition (net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050) 2. Providing clean, affordable and safe energy 3. Mobilizing industry for a clean and circular economy 4. Building and renovating in an energy and resource efficient way 5. Zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment 6. Preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity 7. Ensuring a fair, healthy and ecological food system 8. Accelerating the shift to sustainable and smart mobility The implementation of measures in these eight areas calls upon an essential pillar of the EGD, which is Research and Innovation. Another pillar of the EGD is the Just Transition Mechanism, with the mobilization of 100 billion euros to finance the investment necessary for the transition without leaving anyone behind. Faced with the universal dimension of ecological problems and the climate threat, the EGD also aims to place Europe at the forefront of international negotiations on climate and biodiversity, through the so-called “green diplomacy” and providing financial support to countries on other continents. The European Green Deal is a complex and vast political, economic and social program, which faces challenges and implementation difficulties due to the contradictory interests that exist at the root of the problems it seeks to solve. Some important measures have been taken, at the end of long negotiations, such as the European Climate Law, in July 2021, and the Nature Restoration Law, in June 2024.

2024-07-31

The importance of biodiversity in cities

The City's Natural Diversity conference took place on June 20-21, 2024, in Białystok, Poland. This event brought together scientists, experts, local government officials, and environmental activists to discuss issues related to protecting and promoting biodiversity in urban environments. As part of the conference, attendees visited a number of public spaces in Białystok which were designed to be nature-friendly. These included the city’s apiary and the Marczukowskie Ponds. Białystok has established large areas of flower meadows that provide crucial habitats for various pollinators. Honeybees have also settled in an old tree trunk in the city's nature reserve, Rezerwat Zwierzyniecki. Additionally, several apiaries have been set up in different locations across the city, producing high-quality honey used for promotional purposes by the Białystok City Hall. The Marczukowskie Ponds, part of Białystok's blue-green infrastructure, have been developed and made accessible to residents. These interconnected water bodies and a small river serve as recreational areas for people as well as habitat for birds, amphibians, beavers, and other mammals. Other topics discussed at the conference included: ● The importance of biodiversity in cities. ● Methods of protecting nature in urban settings. ● Science and education on urban biodiversity. ● Protecting and creating wildlife habitat. ● Managing rainwater. ● The role of forests and trees in the city. ● Adapting to climate change. ● Sustainable urban planning. ● Involving local communities. ● Synergy and conflict of interests. Key takeaways from the conference Effective Communication: Collaboration requires open and regular communication among all stakeholders. Common Goals: Setting shared goals and values is crucial for effective partnerships. Flexibility: Partners must be willing to compromise and be flexible in their approach to project implementation. Long-Term Planning: Sustainability and durability of projects require long-term planning and commitment.

2024-06-04

Lentamente

Lentamente Societá Cooperativa Agricola has reclaimed and rehabilitated abandoned land and has established an urban social farm in the province of Benevento. Lentamente and its partners, including Coop La Solidarietà, use social farming as an innovative tool to respond to the socio-economic challenges faced by the local community. The social farming project ensures the social inclusion of disadvantaged communities and provides them with education and employment benefits. https://vimeo.com/710478650

2024-02-28

Collection of 30 good ecological practices

The last 2 months have been a period when all EURECA Project partners have been preparing descriptions of good practices of environmental activities in the Czech Republic, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain. Examples were found of the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals set within the Agenda 2030. The SocLab Foundation described the developing energy cooperatives in Poland, which supply local communities with electricity from photovoltaics. Another interesting solution from Poland is flower meadows in cities instead of traditional lawns. Flowers in the city not only look beautiful, also give shelter and food to many useful insects and birds. In turn, the protection of birds from collisions with transparent glass is served by modern protective films at the University of Bialystok. Birds and small mammals have found good habitat on a renaturalized stretch of river in the center of the city of Bialystok. Raising curiosity, but also controversy, the Polish partner describes a solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation. With the same objective, explains a feeding model in a school canteen where meat is served only 2 days a week. Portugal's EDU.IN association focused on technological solutions, describing methods for producing energy from waste and solar, recycle water for reuse, sustainable construction, and did not shy away from topics related to urban biodiversity, using Lisbon and its horticultural parks and green corridors as examples. Gramigna Associazione described a store operating on the principle of a cooperative of local suppliers farmers, a commerce that supports the local community and environmentally friendly crops. Partner IWS from Spain described innovative seawater desalination plant, an innovative urban garden next to a large shopping center, and a climate adaptation plan for the Zaragoza city. An association of agricultural school graduates from the Czech Republic showed methods for restoring degraded areas, methods for preserving tree alleys, a biogas plant and a store with recycled items. These are just some of the eco-friendly good practices described. All of them, with broader descriptions, will soon be available to read on the EURECA Academy website. https://www.eurecaedu.eu

2024-01-16

Eureca - European Urban Ecology Academy

Partner group from Poland, Czech Republic, Spain, Portugal and Italy, started the project 'EURECA - European URban ECology Academy' in the framework of the Erasmus+ adult education programme at the beginning of September 2023. An educational programme on environmental protection and pro-environmental behaviour will be developed at the level of the individual, household, headquarters/office of the organisation/institution/company. The target audience is people who are not professionally involved in ecology and the aim is to transfer knowledge about practical solutions that can be applied by the 'common man', who has no specialist ecological or technical knowledge. The main outcome of the project will be an online training programme. An e-learning platform will be created and partners will carry out a full remote training cycle in Poland and in the Czech Republic, Spain, Portugal and Italy in 2025. Our consortium: Fundacja SocLab - Poland (project leader) Gramigna Associazione - Italy EDU.IN Associação para a Educação Integral - Portugal Spolek absolventů a přátel zemědělské školy v Chrudimi z. s.. - Czech Republic Internet Web Solutions - Spain The project is co-financed by the EU under the Erasmus+ programme.

News

Partners