As part of the Smart City Expo World Congress, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability will officially launch the UrbanByNature Platform (formerly known as Lighthouse), a new hub designed to support cities in advancing Nature-based Solutions (NbS). To celebrate this milestone, ICLEI will host a networking event at the ICLEI Stand on 5 November at…

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which has been marked for many years by the Europa Donna Slovenia Association. This year, the Podravje branch marked Pink October with a walk along the Pekrski potok stream, where participants were accompanied by posters with information on the importance of prevention, early detection of the disease, and women’s…

A big thank you to our hosts in Breda for such a warm and insightful experience! On 1–2 October 2025, the city of Breda hosted the meeting of the UPSURGE project partners. During the event, participants discussed current project matters, including a detailed review of achievements and challenges within individual work packages. Over two productive…

At one of our UPSURGE demo cities – Maribor, RRA Podravje – Maribor, in cooperation with Društvo Šola zdravja and Nuša Lazar, external expert on the project, organized another inspiring PlaceLab activity near the Pekrski creek (DEMO Maribor location) on Monday, 6th of October 2025. The event brought together more than 50 local residents, mostly…

Wrapping up summer with a project that blossomed beyond expectation. In 2024, we reseeded the UPSURGE site of amenity grassland in Lower Botanic Gardens. In summer 2025, we watched to see what this would deliver. The once-ordinary patch of land in the heart of the city has transformed into a thriving wildflower meadow, providing a haven…

The latest episode of the Cordiscovery Podcast is now available on Spotify and CORDIScovery website!🎧 Listen here📺 CORDIS Videos & Podcasts This episode explores how nature-based solutions (NBSs), co-creation, and living labs are reshaping our cities – and why they matter for inclusive, resilient urban environments. One of the featured initiatives is the UPSURGE project,…

On September 15, 2025, the UPSURGE project was featured on Polsat News. Four bus stops in Katowice have been transformed into mini-gardens, planted with greenery and equipped with sensors monitoring air quality, temperature, and noise levels. The project aims to bring biodiversity to urban spaces, improve air quality and residents’ well-being, and combat climate change.…

As part of the UPSURGE project, we had the pleasure of visiting Prato, the second-largest city in Tuscany, Italy, together with partners and colleagues from the Municipality of Prato. Over two engaging days, we explored the city’s growing portfolio of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and learned how green infrastructure is being used to create a more…

Clover Energy Systems has recently installed a 3.6kWp Off-Grid Solar PV System, supporting the exciting demonstration site at Lower Botanic Gardens.This initiative was delivered in partnership with Belfast City Council as part of the Horizon 2020 UPSURGE Project, a European Union-funded programme focused on implementing nature-based solutions to address urban climate challenges. The solar installation…

The raingardens of Budapest’s 18th District are currently delighting local residents with a stunning array of vibrant flowers, transforming the urban landscape into a sustainable and natural oasis. Planted in late autumn, these public raingardens have successfully weathered an unusually cool spring and are now thriving with perennial plants that contribute to both the beauty…