Boost for Small Municipalities: All applications

Adaptive reuse of a former sugar factory into a conference center: transformation of an industrial building into a social hub, preserving its heritage while fostering social, cultural and economic activity. A new urban landmark, it integrates sustainable solutions through a co-creative process. The design prioritizes energy efficiency, universal accessibility, safety and comfort, promoting inclusion, creativity, wellbeing and community connection. 100 years later, it redefines the city’s future

The Mottafollone Living Hub transforms a restored public building into a vibrant space where people can live, work, and connect. Located in a small inner-area village in Southern Italy, the project responds to depopulation and social fragmentation by creating a new place of belonging. It brings together sustainable tourism, rural coworking, and cultural activities, offering new opportunities for both residents and visitors while reactivating local identity and community life.

The Green Heart of Stambolovo" elevates a current municipal sidewalk project into a sustainable urban artery. The innovation lies in planting climate-resilient indigenous species, a process co-created by Stambolovo’s diverse ethnic tapestry (Bulgarians, Turks, Roma, Pomaks). As a vital hub for 26 settlements and a gateway to Greece and Turkey, the initiative blends the expertise of local foresters with community spirit to create an aesthetic, inclusive, and eco-friendly landmark.

Vodnjan-Dignano (pop. 5,838), a bilingual Croatian-Italian town in Istria, invested EUR 973,933 to acquire the former ASTRA complex — a building with four lives: Austro-Hungarian military barracks, school, shoe factory, and now community centre. Phase 1 transforms the Menza (480 m2 canteen) into a community hub through EUR 128,000 renovation combining municipal funds, NEB Boost, crowdfunding, artist residencies, and ESC volunteer work actions.

Machico is transforming 9 hectares of its riverside into a resilient, nature-driven urban park. By integrating Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) like rain gardens and bioswales, we are mitigating flood risks while restoring local Macaronesian biodiversity. This pilot project, already in its execution phase, combines sustainable water management with inclusive public spaces, fostering community engagement and environmental education to build a greener, more resilient future for all residents.

The currently unknown small village of Nyim (300 inhabitants) is gradually evolving through a community-driven, nature-based concept into an eco-touristic attraction. At its core, the Nyimi Nyugi nature therapy and mental health trail and its starting-point park at Patkó Bandi Hill form a unified, co-created experience that connects local stories, ecological solutions, and inclusive outdoor use, strengthening wellbeing, social cohesion and rural resilience.

"What if a forgotten hillside became the heart of a city? Tășnad Urban Garden is more than a park; it’s a living masterpiece. We’ve transformed a degraded slope into a 4-hectare sanctuary where 16 unique 'outdoor salons' invite you to rediscover nature through scent, color, and silence. From vibrant sports areas to secret gardens for bees and butterflies, this zero-irrigation oasis is where our community grows together. Vote for a greener, more beautiful Tășnad!"

Where the Earth’s energy shapes the community’s future Thermal Eden Tășnad is more than just a place to relax; it is a rebirth of our connection with the primal elements. Imagine a regenerative sanctuary where the natural warmth of the depths meets avant-garde, eco-friendly design that is open to all. Our project transforms Tășnad’s thermal resources into a vibrant ecosystem of wellness, sustainability, and social cohesion.

Casalincontrada Living Lab promotes earthen architecture as a sustainable and inclusive solution for rural regeneration. Building on 30 years of experience of CEDTerra and Terrae, the initiative combines documentation, education and community engagement. An Earth Pavilion will serve as a public space for workshops and knowledge exchange, strengthening local identity and supporting ecological transition.

The Tășnad Community Market transforms an underused urban space into a vibrant, green, and inclusive place for the community. It connects local producers with citizens, supports the local economy, and offers a welcoming setting for everyday life and social interaction. By using renewable energy, sustainable materials, and pedestrian-friendly design, the project fosters a healthier relationship between people and the environment.