horizon europe Archives | NeuroLandscape

Press release 01 GreenME

September 2023

Launch of the GreenME project; redefining mental health equity through nature-based therapies

Barcelona, 14.09.2023 – The GreenME project has officially launched its mission to redefine mental healthcare through nature-based therapies. The project, which commenced in September 2023 and is set to run until August 2027, is poised to revolutionize mental health equity understanding and practices across Europe. With partners in Spain, Italy, the UK, Poland, Sweden, Germany and Belgium, it has a budget of almost EUR 6 million.

GreenME, an acronym for “GreenME: Advancing Greencare in Europe: An Integrated Multi-Scalar Approach for the Expansion of Nature-Based Therapies to Improve Mental Health Equity,” is a collaborative effort involving 19 partners from seven countries. These countries include Spain, Italy, the UK, Poland, Belgium, Sweden, and Germany, bringing together a diverse consortium of academic and non-academic organizations. This powerful coalition will harness its collective expertise to address the pivotal intersection of mental health equity and environmental sustainability.

“We are immensely honored to have been chosen by the EU to lead this ambitious project,” commented Margarita Triguero-Mas, Project scientific co-Coordinator at GreenME. “Our project will advance our understanding of the intricate relationship between various levels of green care and mental health equity, all while facilitating the translation of this knowledge into actionable policies.”

Central to GreenME’s mission is an exploration of how nature-based therapies can be integrated to nature-health promotion and nature-in-everyday-life to enhance mental health outcomes and reduce inequities. The project takes a comprehensive multi-scalar approach to examine the intricate interplay between mental health, the environment, and societal factors.

GreenME comprises seven distinct Work Packages, encompassing a wide range of research and implementation activities. These include -among others – assessing the effectiveness of green care interventions and advocating for policies that promote mental health equity and environmental sustainability. With an equal distribution of academic and non-academic partners, GreenME stands prepared to address this challenge from a multitude of perspectives, merging rigorous research with community-driven practical solutions.

“Our hybrid consortium, equally composed of academics and non-academic partners, is both a significant strength and a unique challenge of our project,” Triguero-Mas added. “Yet, we embrace GreenME with enthusiasm, striving for our project to play a pivotal role in shaping just, climate-resilient, and sustainable healthy communities.“

As GreenME embarks on this ambitious journey, it carries the promise of reshaping our understanding of how contact with nature benefit our health, ensuring equitable access to nature-based therapies, and championing the cause of a healthier planet for all.

In a trans-disciplinary partnership, GreenME involves six European countries, together with the UK. GreenME is led by the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB – Barcelona, Spain) and the GreenME consortium is composed by University of Bologna (Bologna, Italy), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet – Uppsala, Sweden), ILS Research (Research Institute for Regional and Urban Development – Dortmund, Germany), Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW – Warsaw, Poland), Open University of Barcelona (UOC – Barcelona, Spain), Old-Continent (Brussels, Belgium), NeuroLandscape Foundation (Warsaw, Poland), Gesellschaft für Gartenbau und Therapie (GGuT – Hückeswagen, Germany), Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology (IPIN – Warsaw, Poland), Scandinavian Nature and Forest Therapy Institute & SHINRIN-YOKU (Stockholm, Sweden), Eta Beta Cooperativa Sociale (Bologna, Italy), City of Herne (Herne, Germany), Spanish Association of Horticulture and Social and Therapeutic Gardening (AEHJST – Madrid, Spain), University of Kent (Kent, UK), University of Salford (Salford, UK), Social Farms and Gardens (Bristol, UK) and Mind in Bexley and East Kent LTD (London, UK).

The project will last 4 years and is funded by the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme of the European Union.

Stay tuned for updates on GreenME’s progress and its transformative impact on mental health equity and environmental well-being. The project’s website and social media will be launched in the coming months.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Marta Cayetano Giralt (Project manager)

pr.greenme@uab.cat

Antonella Crichigno (media)

antonella@old-continent.eu

NeuroLandscape is delighted to announce its participation in the consortium selected for the prestigious Horizon Europe GreenME project with a budget of nearly 6M euro.

This collaboration presents an exciting opportunity to advance our mission of integrating nature-based solutions into urban environments for enhanced well-being and sustainable living. Led by Universita Autonoma de Barcelona, the GreenME consortium aims to revolutionize greencare and urban planning practices across Europe. NeuroLandscape's involvement in this groundbreaking initiative will commence on September 1st, 2023, as we eagerly anticipate the positive impact we can collectively make on the health and well-being of urban dwellers.

GreenME stands for "Advancing GReenCare in Europe: an integrated multi-scalar approach for the Expansion of Nature-based therapies to improve Mental health Equity"

This project is an ambitious endeavor that seeks to advance greencare practices across Europe through an integrated, multi-scalar approach. It has received significant recognition and funding through the prestigious Horizon Europe program. This collaborative project brings together leading researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in the field of nature-based solutions to address pressing urban challenges and create healthier, more sustainable cities.

NeuroLandscape's Involvement in the Consortium

NeuroLandscape's inclusion in the GreenME consortium is a testament to our expertise and commitment to promoting the benefits of nature in urban environments. As a key partner in the consortium, NeuroLandscape will contribute valuable insights and practical experience gained from our extensive research in the quality of urban greening and mental health promotion through the nature connection. Our participation aims to leverage wide international network of contacts, insights from evidence-based design, environmental psychology, and the impact of nature on human health and well-being to support the project's success.

Through collaboration with partners across Europe, NeuroLandscape will actively contribute to the development of innovative approaches and solutions that integrate nature into urban settings. Our goal is to foster positive impacts on mental health, physical well-being, and social cohesion through evidence-based design and strategic implementation of nature-based interventions.

The GreenME Project's Objectives

The GreenME project encompasses a broad range of objectives, each focusing on different aspects of greencare implementation at various scales. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange, the project aims to:

Investigate the benefits of nature-based interventions on human health and well-being.
Develop evidence-based design guidelines for creating nature-rich urban environments.
Enhance the role of urban green spaces in mitigating climate change and promoting sustainability.
Establish a European-wide network to facilitate the exchange of best practices and expertise.
Provide policymakers with comprehensive recommendations for integrating greencare strategies into urban planning frameworks.

Expected Outcomes and Impact

Through the GreenME project, NeuroLandscape and its consortium partners strive to achieve transformative outcomes that will positively impact cities and their inhabitants across Europe. By implementing nature-based solutions and greencare strategies, we envision:

Improved mental and physical health outcomes for urban dwellers.
Enhanced ecological resilience and biodiversity in urban environments.
Increased social cohesion and community engagement through nature-based interventions.
Strengthened policy frameworks that prioritize the integration of nature in urban planning for mental health and well-being.
Sustainable urban development that prioritizes the well-being of both people and the planet.

NeuroLandscape's participation in the GreenME project represents an exciting opportunity to contribute to the advancement of greencare practices in Europe. By four years long collaboration with leading experts, policymakers, and practitioners, we aim to integrate evidence-based research and practical knowledge to create nature-rich urban environments that promote well-being and sustainability.

With the project set to begin on September 1st, 2023, we are poised to embark on this transformative journey. We are confident that the GreenME project will have a profound and lasting impact on the way we approach urban planning and the integration of nature in day-to-day urban living.