<< Background >>Nature-based Solutions contribute positively to the European Green Deal, by enhancing biodiversity and supporting the delivery of a range of ecosystem services, such as Green Care services, including horticultural therapy. Horticultural therapy is a valuable, effective and environmentally sustainable way for the primary or complementary treatment of several mental illnesses and psychiatric conditions, including addiction, depression, autism, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and proved to be valuable in physical rehabilitation as well. Mental health problems are affecting more and more people in Europe, creating a barrier for people to access work and study, and lead a fulfilling life. By addressing the problem of health issues, our project operates towards the inclusion of disadvantaged people. In addition to that, horticultural therapy can provide stress release and burnout prevention for healthcare and social professionals, that signifies an added valued especially in these years of the pandemic. The potential of horticultural therapy is more and more recognized in Europe, although in this respect there are substantial differences between countries. In Austria and Italy horticultural therapy is widely used and acknowledged, with vocational and higher education possibilities in this field. In Hungary the practice of horticultural therapy has already started in several healthcare and social institutions, but there aren’t any specific horticultural therapy trainings or Hungarian language handbooks available. In Romania even the concept of horticultural therapy is scarcely known, with a very few institutions in the phase of introducing this method in practice. A comprehensive needs assessment survey conducted in Hungary and Romania showed a wide interest among healthcare and social professionals and institutions to learn about and introduce horticultural therapy into their practice.The Hortus Medicus project wants to address this situation by creating a horticultural therapy curriculum and related educational materials for Hungary and Romania, while further enriching existing curricula with impact measurement methodology and e-learning content in Austria and in Italy.The project involves partners from the above mentioned four countries: Austria, Italy, Hungary and Romania.<< Objectives >>The Hortus Medicus project aims to spread the recognition and the use of horticultural therapy in Hungary and Romania, to introduce a horticultural therapy training and related education materials in these countries, while enriching existing horticultural therapy curricula with impact measurement methodology and e-learning content in Austria and in Italy. These trainings will enable healthcare and social professionals with the necessary knowledge to introduce and apply horticultural therapy in their daily practice, thereby helping the effectiveness of their work with clients. Horticultural therapy skills will also empower these professionals with a useful burnout prevention methodology. Agricultural professionals, farmers can introduce horticultural therapy as a new function to their multifunctional farm. On the long run our project aims to help addressing the barriers arising from physical and mental health issues, to foster the inclusion of disadvantaged people who are affected by mental and physical health problems.The aim of the Hortus Medicus project is to create a comprehensive 120-hour horticultural therapy training with related educational materials and e-learning content, by developing a horticultural therapy curriculum, a horticultural therapy handbook, adapting existing and creating new educational resources in the field of horticultural therapy, compiling impact measurement recommendations and e-learning content. Our goal is to create an innovative training that can be provided in the traditional way of contact teaching or in the form of a blended learning, with theoretical parts in e-learning format.The created curriculum and education tools can also be transferred to higher education curricula, in the field of medical, social and agricultural studies as well.<< Implementation >>During our project the partners are going to create a 120-hour Horticultural therapy training curriculum together with a related Methodological guide for trainers. The curriculum will cover the following topics: basics of horticultural therapy, botany & garden maintenance, design and ecology of horticultural therapy gardens, target group-specific therapeutic methodology, impact measurement options in horticultural therapy. We will compile a Horticultural therapy handbook based on current knowledge available on the subject. An Impact measurement methodology recommendation will also be assembled in order to provide practical tools for professionals for assessing the efficiency of horticultural therapy sessions and processes. Digital content will be developed for a 40-hour e-learning training, covering the theoretical parts of the Horticultural therapy training curriculum, in order to make it possible to realize the training also in the form of blended learning. The work will be implemented in working groups for the different modules of the curricula, the methodology guide and the e-learning, the different chapters of the handbook, for the Impact measurement methodology, on the basis of Action plans jointly assembled and agreed upon. Continuous cooperation based on digital tools will be carried out.In order to achieve our goals, we plan effective and flexible project management, together with quality management ensuring the excellent quality of project results, the timely and efficient implementation of the project. The quality and usability of project results will be tested in pilot trainings in Hungary and Romania. During our project 6 international project meetings will be organized, with online project management meetings in every second month. To promote and share project results with stakeholders, 16 multiplier events will be organized, and diverse dissemination activities will be carried out, reaching local, regional and national audiences.<< Results >>We are planning to develop five project results: R1. Curriculum of Horticultural therapy training, a 120-hour curriculum R2. Horticultural therapy handbook, R3. Impact measurement methodology recommendation, R.4.Methodological guide for trainers, R.5. Digital content development for the Horticultural therapy assistant training, with 40 hours of e-learning. As a result of the project, healthcare and social professionals will have access to an ecologically sustainable and cost-effective tool that can be used with different vulnerable target groups. Farmers, who will provide on-site horticultural therapy location, will have the opportunity to stabilize their incomes by diversifying their activities.We also expect that as a result of our project, horticultural therapy will be more generally known, recognized and used. Institutions that did not apply horticultural therapy will become acquainted, recognize and introduce horticultural therapy into their practice. Institutions that already use gardening will gain a more professional insight and organize more efficient horticultural therapy sessions for their clients. Farmers who want to expand their multifunctional farming activities can introduce horticultural therapy into their activities. On the long run, many people experiencing health problems will have access a sustainable, nature-based way of treatment that can help their recovery and reintegration.