Image Project of the month
Our selected project for the month of October is LIFE Bauhausing Europe. The ecological transition requires new ways of conceiving the spaces we inhabit. The LIFE Bauhausing Europe project applies the principles of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) to rehabilitate public buildings and transform their environments into more sustainable, inclusive and attractive places for citizens. Our project for the month of November is GREENHEALTH, an initiative under the European Interreg Europe programme—led by the Region of Murcia—that promotes the integration of protected natural area conservation with human health, by advancing policies that harness the benefits of nature for physical and mental well-being.

Protected Natural Areas for a Healthier Europe

The Region of Murcia is leading GREENHEALTH (Sustainable Protected Areas as a Key Value for Human Well-being), an Interreg Europe project that aims to strengthen the link between biodiversity conservation and citizens’ health and well-being. The project is based on a simple yet increasingly relevant idea: protected natural areas not only preserve nature, but also make a direct contribution to people’s physical and mental health.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the recreational use of natural spaces increased significantly across Europe. This trend has highlighted the need to strike a balance between public enjoyment of these areas and the protection of their ecological values. GREENHEALTH works to improve public policies governing the management of protected areas, ensuring that they remain accessible to citizens while safeguarding biodiversity.

European Cooperation Led by Murcia

The Directorate-General for the Natural Environment of the Regional Government of Murcia coordinates a partnership of organisations from Spain, Poland, Croatia, Ireland, Slovakia, Sweden and Germany. Together, they exchange experiences and best practices to develop more effective policies that integrate environmental protection with the promotion of public health.

The project also applies the Local Living Labs methodology, collaborative platforms that bring together protected area managers, healthcare professionals, universities, civil society organisations and other key stakeholders to develop innovative solutions tailored to local needs.

Objectives

GREENHEALTH pursues several strategic objectives:

  • Improve the management and accessibility of protected natural areas.
  • Foster cooperation between the environmental and health sectors.
  • Identify and transfer European best practices.
  • Promote nature-based interventions that contribute to physical and mental well-being.
  • Support regional policies that harness the potential of natural spaces as a preventive health resource.

Expected Impact

The project’s outcomes will help European regions develop more resilient, inclusive and better-managed natural areas. In addition, they will raise awareness of the benefits of nature for health and strengthen the capacities of protected area managers.

Project Facts

  • Programme: Interreg Europe
  • Duration: March 2023 – February 2027
  • Total Budget: €1,745,776
  • ERDF Funding: 80% (€1,367,736.40)
  • Lead Partner: Regional Government of the Region of Murcia
  • Theme: Biodiversity, protected areas, health and well-being

GREENHEALTH Project Partners

GREENHEALTH brings together regional authorities, protected area managers and specialised organisations from across Europe to exchange experiences and improve public policies related to biodiversity, health and well-being. The partnership consists of:

  • Regional Government of the Region of Murcia (Spain), through the Directorate-General for the Natural Environment (Lead Partner).
  • Podkarpackie Region (Poland).
  • Public Institution for the Management of Protected Natural Areas of Dubrovnik-Neretva County (Croatia).
  • Northern and Western Regional Assembly (Ireland).
  • Prešov Self-Governing Region (Slovakia).
  • Kullaberg Nature Reserve (Sweden).
  • EUROPARC Federation (Germany), participating as an advisory partner and contributing its European expertise in protected area management and the Healthy Parks Healthy People initiative.

Why Is It Important for the Region of Murcia?

The Region of Murcia has a rich natural heritage that includes regional parks, Natura 2000 sites and areas of high ecological value. GREENHEALTH provides an opportunity to position the region as a European benchmark in integrating nature conservation and public health, supporting the development of innovative policies that improve citizens’ quality of life while strengthening ecosystem protection.

More information

Project co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Interreg Europe Programme.