Community Engagement in Opening and Protecting Five New Biodiversity Zones in Bucharest

Following our strategic priority of city-nature harmonization, we’re exploring ways to facilitate a better understanding of human-nature interdependence and greater attention and dedication to urban green spaces, so essential for the climate resilience of the cities we live in. To this end, we’re creating and participating in actions that facilitate civic-institutional dialogue and mobilize communities in Reșița, Făgăraș, and Bucharest.

Since February 2024, we’ve been supporting the Natural Park Bucharest Association in their efforts to conserve, promote, and make accessible five new biodiversity zones and natural landscapes in Bucharest. We’re contributing our expertise in bringing relevant actors to the table, facilitating dialogue with relevant local communities, specialists, and public authorities who can support this endeavor.

Our support consists of:

• Organizing consultations and facilitated sessions to participatively shape a strategic vision (focus group facilitation meetings, community cafés, study visits, etc.) with relevant stakeholder categories for APNB’s work, including: Residents living around the urban natural areas targeted by the association’s plans, urban planning and architecture professionals, teachers and nature educators, representatives from public authorities and academia and others;
• Facilitating participatory planning processes to refine the association’s working strategy for preserving urban biodiversity and promoting five urban natural areas in Bucharest;
• Designing working methods for engaging the community in APNB’s strategic planning process, as a foundation for successful implementation of the ”Rewildering Bucharest” project.

The organizational strategy development process for the Natural Park Bucharest Association, as well as the technical assistance services mentioned above, are part of the ”Rewildering Bucharest” project, funded by the Environmental Platform for Bucharest—a program initiated by the Bucharest Community Foundation and ING Bank Romania. Through this project, in order to contribute to the climate adaptation of Bucharest and its peri-urban area, APNB has committed to act for the conservation, promotion, and accessibility of five new biodiversity zones and natural landscapes in Bucharest:

• Băneasa Forest
• Petricani Grasslands
• Dâmbovița Floodplain
• Valea Saulei
• Dobroești Reed Beds

Learn more about APNB and the “Rewilding Bucharest” initiative here:

Photo credit: APNB website