Project number:

LIFE24-NAT-IT-ZOO-LIFE-POLLINATORS/101215817

 

Duration of the project:

1. 7. 2025. – 30. 6. 2029.

 

Total value:

5,408,361 €

 

EU contribution:

3,244,475 €

 

Coordinating beneficiary:

Immersive Parks S.r.l. (Italy)

 

Partners:

Zagreb Zoo (Croatia), University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture (Croatia), Copenhagen Zoo (Denmark), Fundación Canaria Chekipa (Spain), Museo del Campo Majorero, S.L. (Spain), Nagyerdei Kultúrpark Közhasznú Nonprofit Kft. (Nagyerdei Cultural Park Public Benefit Non-profit Ltd.) (Hungary), Associazione Lepidotterologica Italiana (Italian Lepidopterological Association) (Italy), University of Turin (Italy), Fondazione Zoom – Ente Terzo Settore (Zoom Foundation – Third Sector Entity) (Italy), Smart Revolution S.R.L. (Italy), Stichting Butterfly Conservation Europe (Butterfly Conservation Europe Foundation) (Netherlands), Bucharest Zoo (Romania), Stiftelsen Nordens Ark (Nordens Ark Foundation) (Sweden), Göteborgs Kommun (City of Gothenburg) (Sweden), The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (United Kingdom – Scotland)

 

Project description:

The project aims to halt the decline of pollinators in urban and peri-urban areas of the EU via an innovative approach. In these areas, habitat loss represents the greatest threat to pollinator conservation. For this reason, the project will leverage the untapped resources of city zoos, which manage extensive areas within urban spaces, and which possess the ability to reverse the pollinators’ decline by acting on the three dimensions of conservation: the restoration of suitable habitat, rearing activities, and public awareness. The project’s objective is to transform the 8 partner zoos into ‘conservation hubs,’ located in major European cities, capable of actively addressing local specificities. This involves shifting from the traditional ex-situ conservation approach to an in-situ approach, focusing on pollinators. For this reason, no less than 921 ha will be restored in urban contexts, taking into account the needs of pollinators. Additionally, green area management will be promoted to support pollinator populations and attract others from nearby areas, encouraging re-settlement. Alongside habitat creation, specific protocols for pollinator reproduction will be developed to create case studies useful for both conservation and educational purposes. Zoos will play a crucial role in raising awareness among the general public, local institutions, and stakeholders. With the impressive dissemination potential of the partner zoos, which attract 4 million visitors annually, and their connections with local authorities and other zoos, the project will produce and share guidelines and best practices. This will stimulate large-scale adoption of the project’s actions across the EU.