Greening Europe

Building a Greener, More Connected Europe

Over three years, 12 regions from nine European countries collaborated through the GreenInfraNet project to promote the development and implementation of green infrastructure. The approach supports the Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable growth, linking biodiversity conservation with regional economic vitality.

Green infrastructure represents a strategic approach to land management that integrates biodiversity and ecosystem services into spatial planning. Rather than treating nature as separate from human activity, this concept weaves natural elements through urban and rural landscapes, creating networks of healthy habitats that support both wildlife and communities. The result is a more resilient environment where ecological processes can function alongside sustainable development.

The GreenInfraNet partnership brought together regions from across Europe to exchange experience and expertise in identifying, analysing, and transferring best practices. Launched in April and funded through the Interreg IVC programme, the project created a platform for collaboration that spanned diverse geographical and cultural contexts. This transnational cooperation proved essential for tackling challenges that no single region could address alone.

Biodiversity conservation lies at the heart of the green infrastructure concept, yet its benefits extend far beyond nature protection. By maintaining ecosystem services such as pollination, water purification, and flood regulation, green infrastructure contributes directly to a sustainable economy. It also plays a vital role in climate change adaptation, helping regions mitigate the adverse effects of extreme weather events and shifting environmental conditions.

The project placed a strong emphasis on the relationship between land use and ecological health. Agriculture, forestry, and recreation were examined not as competing interests but as activities that can exist in closer harmony with nature. This perspective encourages practices that preserve soil fertility, protect water resources, and enhance landscape character while still supporting productive economic uses.

Transport and energy corridors present both challenges and opportunities for green infrastructure planning. Roads, railways, and power lines can fragment habitats and disrupt wildlife movement, but thoughtful design can transform these linear developments into connective ecological features. The project explored how infrastructure networks might be reimagined to serve both human mobility and natural connectivity.

Knowledge sharing formed the backbone of the GreenInfraNet approach. Partners produced a range of publications and outputs, including films created to showcase green infrastructure initiatives across participating countries. These resources remain available through an online library, offering guidance to planners, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to implement similar projects in their own regions.

The partnership also maintained a dynamic programme of news and events, keeping stakeholders informed about developments in green infrastructure policy and practice. Regular exchanges allowed participants to learn from one another's successes and setbacks, building a shared understanding of what works in different regulatory and environmental contexts. This ongoing dialogue strengthened the network long after formal project milestones were achieved.

Regional environmental centres in Central and Eastern Europe played a particularly important role in the collaboration, bringing valuable perspectives from areas where green infrastructure planning was still an emerging discipline. Their involvement helped ensure that the project's outputs were relevant across a wide range of economic and ecological conditions, enriching the collective knowledge base with diverse practical experience.

The legacy of GreenInfraNet continues through the contacts and partnerships established during its three-year journey. The network remains a resource for those working to integrate green infrastructure into broader policy frameworks, from local land-use decisions to European-level strategies. Its enduring contribution lies in demonstrating that economic vitality and environmental stewardship are not opposing goals but complementary dimensions of truly sustainable development.