PRIORITY 1 - A more Resilient and Greener Greece-Bulgaria Cross Border TerritoryThe EcoShield project aims to strengthen ecological resilience and environmental sustainability in the Greece–Bulgaria cross-border region through targeted reforestation actions and the transformation of underutilised agricultural land into functional green infrastructure. Addressing key challenges such as environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, land abandonment, and increasing climate pressures in peri-urban areas, the project promotes nature-based solutions to improve air quality, restore ecosystems, and foster healthier, more inclusive living environments.
The project is structured around three main pillars: tailor-made peri-urban reforestation, prototype reforestation actions supporting Green Deal environmental targets, and the conversion of marginal agricultural land into biodiversity corridors. EcoShield will develop innovative GIS-based decision-support tools for environmental planning and monitoring, establish demonstration reforestation areas with climate-resilient species, and support stakeholder engagement through training activities and a cross-border information centre for citizens, researchers, farmers, and policymakers. By integrating the principles of the New European Bauhaus, the project promotes sustainable, inclusive, and aesthetically integrated green infrastructure solutions, while aiming to create a transferable model for ecological restoration and climate resilience in peri-urban cross-border regions across Europe.
