The project aimed to strengthen urban biodiversity by developing and testing innovative co-creation approaches that actively involve citizens, municipalities, and local stakeholders. A key objective was to move from traditional top-down approaches to more participatory and inclusive processes, fostering shared ownership and long-term engagement. Another core objective was to design and validate a practical teaching methodology and a user-friendly guide to support professionals, educators, and volunteers in facilitating co-creation processes across different European contexts. The project also aimed to implement and test these tools in real-life local cases, generating concrete biodiversity improvements while gathering evidence, feedback, and best practices. Furthermore, the project sought to build capacity among participating organisations, strengthen cross-sector collaboration, and contribute to European policy goals by demonstrating scalable and transferable solutions for urban biodiversity and citizen engagement.
The project was developed in response to the growing need to address biodiversity loss in urban areas while strengthening collaboration between municipalities, citizens, and local stakeholders. Traditional top-down approaches have often proven insufficient to mobilise communities and ensure long-term impact. The project aimed to address this gap by introducing and testing co-creation as a participatory method to engage diverse actors in developing and implementing local biodiversity solutions. At the same time, there was a clear need for practical tools and methodologies to support professionals and volunteers in facilitating such processes across different European contexts. Furthermore, the project responded to policy priorities such as the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, by supporting local action and integrating biodiversity into urban development. Overall, the project addressed the need for more inclusive, hands-on, and scalable approaches to urban biodiversity, combining environmental goals with social engagement and learning.