ReGreen: Protection and rehabilitation of greenery in forest and urban areas

Acronym: ReGreen
Start Date: 29/06/2026
End Date: 28/06/2028
Call: 1ST CALL_CALL FOR COMMON PROJECT PROPOSALS - STAGE B
Type: Ordinary
Website: https://www.greece-bulgaria.eu/project/regreen/

Priority

PRIORITY 1 - A more Resilient and Greener Greece-Bulgaria Cross Border Territory

Policy Objective

02 - A greener, low carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy & resilient Europe by promoting clean & fair energy transition, green & blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation & adaptation risk prevention & management, and sustainable urban mobility

Specific Objective

RSO2.4. Promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention, resilience taking into account ecosystem-based approaches

Intervention Field

058. Adaptation to climate change measures, prevention & management of climate related risks: floods & landslides (including awareness raising, civil protection & disaster management systems, infrastructures & ecosystem based approaches)

Project Description

Summary

ReGreen aims to enhance the sustainability of urban and peri-urban green infrastructure by strengthening capacity, tools, and cooperation for the co-creation of nature-based solutions. It integrates advanced technologies, digital decision-support systems, and ecological expertise to support effective planning, governance, and biodiversity protection.
The project focuses on developing and testing pilot ecosystem practices, implementing climate-neutral and digital solutions, and promoting the use of data-driven approaches for re-greening selected areas. It will also strengthen knowledge exchange and partnerships across the eligible area, fostering joint action for environmental protection.
Through capacity-building events, ReGreen will establish a cross-border network of ecological experts, creating a sustainable community to address shared environmental challenges. It will also actively engage younger generations and society in biodiversity preservation and decision-making processes.

The specific objectives of the project are:

1. Protection and enhancement of natural ecosystems and biodiversity;
2. Strengthening local capacity for informed and sustainable environmental management;
3. Promoting ecological awareness, societal engagement and participation in the locally made decisions.

Expected Results

The main project results are:

Joint initiatives will be implemented to facilitate the exchange of know-how and best practices in environmental protection and preservation of natural assets.
A sustainable cross-border network of ecologically engaged experts will be created through a series of capacity-building events. This network will actively address common environmental challenges in the eligible area.
Three pilot infrastructure activities will be carried out in urban and peri-urban areas to protect biodiversity and safeguard natural assets from hazards, including forest fires. These activities will include the provision of specialised equipment and will protect over 2,000 sq. m. of green areas.
Two innovative digital tools will be implemented to support the mapping and digitisation of cross-border green infrastructure, improving data accessibility and environmental management.
Measures will be introduced to enhance community engagement, including the forestation of public spaces and initiatives aimed at fostering environmental awareness among children from an early age. More than 100,000 citizens across the four participating municipalities will benefit from improved access to green infrastructure with preserved biodiversity in urban and peri-urban areas.
Young people, the wider society, civil society and key stakeholders will be involved in the project activities
– 4 Local/ regional bodies and authorities – working for a joint solution to address common challenges in the cross-border region.
– Young people from the cross-border region participating in the pilot green camps
– Civil society representatives, tourists and visitors of the Partnering municipalities
– NGOs;
– Volunteers participating in forestation and green infrastructure activities
– Ecological experts taking part in cross-border capacity-building events such as hackathons and workshops

Expected Outcomes

The project’s main outputs are:

Improvement of the Cross-Border Green Infrastructure Database
The existing database of cross-border green infrastructure will be enhanced by integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The system includes the creation of compliant web services, a user-friendly web interface, and modules for public map extraction, printing, and citizen feedback. The system allows for data visualisation, download, and real-time updates. Particular emphasis is placed on interoperability, open-source architecture, and dynamic integration of external datasets.
Strengthened Capacity for Biodiversity Protection and Green Area Preservation
The project will improve the capacity to protect and preserve biodiversity and green areas by providing specialised equipment and tools and constructing dedicated facilities for protection activities in urban and peri-urban areas. These actions will enhance operational effectiveness and support the long-term conservation of natural ecosystems.
Increased Public Awareness and Community Participation
Networking events for ecologically engaged citizens of the cross-border area will be organised and supplemented by digital awareness-raising actions within the partnering organisations.

Budget

Total:
1.845.918€ERDF:
1.476.734€National Funds:
369.184€Private Funds:
0€

Partnership

	Type	Country	Location of Activities
MUNICIPALITY OF HASKOVO	National / Regional / Local Authority	Bulgaria	BG422 - Haskovo
MUNICIPALITY OF STAMBOLOVO	National / Regional / Local Authority	Bulgaria	BG422 - Haskovo
ALLIANCE FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT	NGO / Non-Profit Organization	Bulgaria	BG422 - Haskovo
SOUFLI MUNICIPALITY	National / Regional / Local Authority	Greece	EL511 - Evros
MUNICIPALITY OF TOPIROS	National / Regional / Local Authority	Greece	EL512 - Xanthi

ReGreen: Protection and rehabilitation of greenery in forest and urban areas