PARKS Project Partners and Budgets

Lead Partner – Municipality of Dupnitsa, Bulgaria

The Municipality of Dupnitsa plays a central role in the PARKS project as the lead partner from Bulgaria. With a dedicated budget of €506,620.94, Dupnitsa is committed to enhancing urban green spaces and promoting environmental sustainability. The municipality will lead several key initiatives, including the development of multiple green areas, green cadaster and fostering cross-border collaboration for sustainable urban development. Through these efforts, Dupnitsa aims to transform its public spaces into eco-friendly, community-driven hubs that encourage environmental awareness and social engagement.

Project Partner – Municipality of Kriva Palanka, North Macedonia

Kriva Palanka, as a project partner from North Macedonia, is allocated a budget of €388,208.52 to implement various green initiatives under the PARKS project. A key highlight of its involvement is the creation of a Green Park, which will serve as a model for sustainable urban development, combining nature, recreation, and environmental responsibility. Additionally, Kriva Palanka will contribute to the development of the Green Cadaster, an innovative registry documenting urban green assets, and will play an essential role in the distribution of the Plant Growth Manual, a trilingual resource designed to educate communities on plant care and environmental conservation. The municipality will also collaborate with educational institutions to introduce an Air Quality Monitoring Dashboard, ensuring real-time environmental data accessibility to residents and policymakers.

Main Outputs

The PARKS project is centered around key deliverables that will significantly impact the urban environments of Kriva Palanka and Dupnitsa:

• Green Park in Kriva Palanka: A sustainable green space designed to promote recreation and environmental stewardship.
• Development of Diverse Green Spaces: Conversion of neglected urban areas into vibrant, community-oriented green zones.
• Plant Growth Manual: A multilingual guide providing knowledge on plant care, growth strategies, and environmental protection.
• Air Quality Monitoring Dashboard: A digital platform developed in collaboration with educational institutions, offering real-time insights into air quality and other environmental factors.
• Green Cadaster: A structured registry to document and manage green infrastructure, ensuring long-term sustainability. Green Days Event: A cross-border initiative promoting environmental awareness and community participation in sustainability efforts.
• Green Days: The direct beneficiaries of these initiatives are the residents of Kriva Palanka and Dupnitsa, who will experience an improved quality of life through enhanced green spaces, access to environmental data, and increased awareness of sustainable urban practices.
• Soil analysis and database for both Municipalities that will support future investments in green spaces and local plant growth.

Approach and Cross-border Relevance

The PARKS project adopts an integrated approach that merges infrastructure development with community engagement and knowledge-sharing. The newly developed parks and green zones are envisioned as multifunctional spaces that serve educational, social, and environmental purposes. Given the shared environmental challenges faced by both municipalities, cross-border collaboration is a crucial aspect of the project. By combining resources, expertise, and strategic planning, the PARKS initiative amplifies its impact, fostering regional cooperation and long-term environmental sustainability.

Novelty of the Project

What sets the PARKS project apart is its holistic vision, which extends beyond traditional urban greening initiatives. By incorporating technological advancements such as real-time air quality monitoring and the Green Cadaster, the project introduces innovative solutions to urban sustainability challenges. The inclusion of diverse stakeholders—including urban planners, environmental experts, educators, and local communities—ensures that the initiative remains dynamic and adaptable. Through this synergy of technology, infrastructure, and community-driven action, PARKS is poised to create lasting, positive transformations in urban environments, setting a precedent for future green city developments.

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