Discover the winning projects of our call for projects: "Promoting Concrete Solutions Through Nature-based Solutions"
Looking Back at the Call for Projects:
This call for projects aimed to support the development and long-term sustainability of field initiatives designed to restore or strengthen ecosystems in order to address a specific local challenge, while generating ecological benefits, including biodiversity enhancement and/or improved ecosystem functions, as well as measurable social co-benefits.
In a context of increasing pressures such as water degradation, urban overheating, and soil depletion, preserved or restored ecosystems that are resilient and functional can host rich biodiversity and provide a wide range of ecosystem services to society. These include regulating the water cycle, protecting communities against natural hazards, and storing carbon, among many other benefits.
The winners:
Following two rounds of selection and interviews with project leaders on 12 May and 4 June, six proposals were shortlisted for the final round from the 120 proposals received.
We are delighted to announce the six winning proposals:
- Fondation de la Mer (France)
A national project to protect and restore sandy beaches and dune systems in the face of coastal erosion. It combines ecological assessment, on-the-ground actions and community engagement to sustainably strengthen the resilience of coastlines.
- Guinée 44 (Guinea)
An ecological restoration project in the Kilissi catchment area aimed at preserving water resources and reducing erosion. It works closely with local communities to ensure the sustainable management of this vital resource.
- Initiatives Développement (Fatick and Diourbel region, Sénégal)
A programme for the conservation and sustainable management of forest resources in the Fatick and Diourbel regions. It aims to restore ecosystems, combat soil degradation and support sustainable economic activities by closely involving local stakeholders and communities.
- Tchendukua (Sierra Nevada, Colombia)
An ecological restoration and agroecological development project aimed at strengthening the resilience of ecosystems and indigenous communities in the Sierra Nevada through ancestral knowledge. It helps to regenerate biodiversity, restore ecological corridors and enhance food security.
- UICN (Raiatea Island, French Polynesia)
A project to restore a coastal wetland on Raiatea Island with the aim of re-establishing native vegetation. It aims to enhance biodiversity and the resilience of the coastline to erosion and climate-related hazards, whilst raising awareness amongst local communities.
- Veni Verdi (Sevran, Paris)
A project to renature an urban brownfield site through the creation of the Trèfles micro-farm. Its aim is to restore living soils, develop local food production and strengthen the ecological and social resilience of a vulnerable urban area.
Acknowledgements:
Our warmest congratulations to the winners, whose projects impressed the jury with their relevance and their commitment to major issues such as the protection and restoration of ecosystems, living soils, rainwater, aquatic environments, coastal environments and the fight against coastal erosion.
They will receive a total grant of 80,000 euros, allocated according to the needs and scale of each project.
We would also like to thank all the project leaders who responded to this call for proposals, and we offer them our full support as they continue with their initiatives.
Finally, we would like to extend our warmest thanks to the judging panel, comprising Sarah GREMILLIET, Frédéric MATHIEU, Marion PONCET and Yves FERMON.
