CONTEXTClimate change is one of the most significant challenges facing society today. The European Union places special emphasis on mitigating and curbing the problem:“A European Green Deal - Striving to be the first climate-neutral continentClimate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. To overcome these challenges, Europe needs a new growth strategy that transforms the Union into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy where:there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050;economic growth is decoupled from resource use,no person and no place is left behind”- 96% of Europeans think that we have a responsibility to protect nature;- 95% of Europeans consider that looking after nature is essential for tackling climate change.”“COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION of 22 May 2018 on key competences for lifelong learningUnesco’s Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development affirms that education for sustainable development is an integral element of quality education and key enabler of all other Sustainable Development Goals. This aim is reflected in the revision of the Reference Framework.”OBJECTIVESThe overall goal of our project is to help communities of European municipalities to prepare for climate change by sustainably maintaining and developing urban biodiversity and green spaces. Specific objectives:O1 - Exploration and processing of Nature-Based Innovations.O2 - Forming the key competencies of local community stakeholders. Expanding knowledge related to the field, improving skills and changing attitudes.O3 - Improving the relationship between the partner organizations and expanding their knowledge related to the field. O4 - Evaluation of the implemented adult education process.O5 - Widespread dissemination of the results of the tender to ensure their sustainability.TARGET GROUPSThrough the activities of our grant application, we want to reach the following target groups:TG1 - Staff, decision-makers, members and volunteers of partner organizations - 6 organizations, at least 30 people - direct target group with active achievements.TG2 - Stakeholders of local communities - staff, decision-makers and representatives of local governments, NGOs and institutions - 50 communities, at least 150 people - contacting the direct target group in an active manner.TG3 - European citizens interested in the topic, contacting them in a passive manner- 150,000 people.RESULTSResults of our project in light of the planned activities:- Nature-Based Innovations case studies;- Learning manual on Nature-Based Innovations;- Multiplier events for stakeholders in local communities;- Web platforms for Nature-Based Innovations.INDICATORSThe main professional indicators of our project are as follows:- 1 survey - aimed at exploring adaptable Nature-Based Innovations - at least 40 proposals to be completed;- 1 electronic publication with at least 12 case studies (2 case studies / partner);- Learning manual, Part I - electronic document in English, German, Hungarian, Romanian, Croatian and Italian;- Learning manual, Part II - country-specific electronic document in Hungarian, Romanian, Croatian, and Italian;- Review and evaluation of responses in English, Hungarian, Romanian, Croatian and Italian.INTELLECTUAL OUTPUTS - IO 1 - Nature Based Innovations case studies - The partners will prepare the case studies. Nature-Based Innovations can include a municipal rainwater collection and utilization scheme, or a long term care sustainable system designed for the roots of municipal trees, or a design for municipal green spaces that provides for more biodiversity while requiring less labor and energy to maintain.- IO 2 - Learning manual is being prepared on the topic of urban green spaces, consisting of two main parts: 1. Innovations in urban green space management - this is based on case studies, which we rework so that it can be presented in the form of a training. 2. Regulation of green space management - In the partner countries, we review and incorporate the regulation of green space management into the learning manual.MULTIPLIER EVENTSNature-Based Innovations for local communities - 13 workshops - 260 participants - The event will be presented by the staff of the partner organizations with the help of the knowledge gained during the Staff training through the project intellectual outputs. Following the presentation, the meeting will continue in the World Cafe format, with the possibility of group consultation. The event ends with a hands-on tour of the local Nature-Based Innovation, provided the site will allow the realization of such an exercise.LEARNING TEACHING TRAININGStaff training on Nature-Based Innovation - The short-term joint staff training takes place in Szeged, Hungary.

EMPOWERING proposal contributes to the shift of 6 EU regions toward low-carbon society by enhancing the capacities of municipalities and regional representatives to shape integrated energy strategies and plans. The project contributes to bridge the gap of skills needed to plan energy measures in the new 2030 framework for Climate and Energy Policy in terms of GHG emission reduction, renewable energy and energy efficiency. EMPOWERING addresses energy saving challenges involving local municipalities and regional authorities in a sound transnational exchange and learning activities (WP3) including: a) transnational seminars; b) peer to peer exchange for regional authorities; c) study visit to one EU best practice and two partners’ best practice. Local target audience is then effectively reached thanks to ad hoc capacity local building measures (WP4) addressing different target groups to maximize the learning experience. The improved knowledge and competences of local authorities are put into practice during the development of the mitigation part of SECAPs and in the upgrading of the existing SEAPs, while regional authorities are supported in shaping regional energy vision to 2050 highlighting the main energy challenges and identifying possible financial strategic actions to be implemented (WP5). The proposal is built on a solid and innovative strategic planning methodology which has a high replicability potential, strengthening the European added value of the project. This process is triggered by the cooperation of a comprehensive partnership, which involves technical-scientific partners and regional development agencies, creating the conditions to achieve project’s objectives.