ALPA - Land for Life is a Transylvania-based initiative dedicated to bioregional regeneration by securing land for agroecology, promoting regenerative land management and protecting biodiversity. It supports smallholder farmers, preserves traditional knowledge and promotes agroecological food systems to increase food sovereignty and community resilience, while creating scalable models for sustainable land use.
BRGM (Bureau de Recherchers Geologiques et Minieres), the French geological survey, is France’s leading public institution for Earth Science applications for the management of surface and sub-surface resources with a view to sustainable development.
Chalmers University of Technology, with 13 departments and 8 areas of advancement, educates 10,800 students and employs 3,000 staff, focusing on technology, science, shipping and architecture for a sustainable future. Known for innovation and interdisciplinary research, Chalmers collaborates globally and participates in EU-funded projects. The Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering (ACE), including the SPADES team in Engineering Geology, researches sustainable remediation, soil quality, nature-based solutions and circular land management.
ICLEI Europe is the world's leading network of local and regional governments committed to sustainable development. Since 1990, it has empowered cities and regions to tackle environmental, economic and social challenges through cooperation, peer learning and partnerships, believing that local action drives global change.
Klagenfurt is moving forward with its Urban Development Concept 2025+, which focuses on sustainability and innovation. Key projects include the Smart City Climate Strategy, Mobility Concept 2035, Alpen-Adria-Sportbad, Heinzelsteg Bridge and Flood Protection, as well as completed projects such as the renovation of the Ice Hall and the redesign of the Heuplatz. These initiatives reflect the city's commitment to a sustainable future.
Zona Metropolitana Baia Mare (ZMBM) is an intercommunity development association composed of several cities & towns that cooperate for an integrated approach to the public transport service and administrative development.
Urban2020 focuses on developing sustainable, smart and inclusive cities by integrating urban planning, citizen participation and innovative solutions. They work to improve quality of life, foster urban-rural linkages, promote good governance and encourage social innovation. Their initiatives include smart urban design, youth engagement, policy support and capacity building to create more inclusive and sustainable communities in Romania and beyond.
Laboratoire Sols & Environment's (LSE) scientific strategy focuses on addressing anthropogenic pressures on soils to conserve biodiversity, provide biomass and restore degraded environments. It develops soil science methods for diagnosing soil quality and agronomic strategies for highly anthropised environments, optimising plant growth through a deeper understanding of soil-plant-organism interactions. LSE also works on treatment processes for these environments, combining geosciences and agronomy, and contributes to tools for integrating soil into land planning strategies to ensure functional soils that provide ecosystem services.
The Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia (UIRS), founded in 1955 and a public research organization since 1993, is the leading national institution in spatial, regional, and urban planning. It consists of 26 researchers and an interdisciplinary team with diverse academic expertise.
The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ is an international leader in environmental research focusing on the interactions between humans and nature. With more than 1,000 researchers, the UFZ develops solutions for the management of complex environmental systems and works with decision-makers and stakeholders to address issues such as resource management, land-use impacts and adaptation to climate change.
Founded in 1842, TU Delft has been at the forefront of technical innovation for over 180 years, serving Dutch society and striving for global impact through sustainability. Renowned for its expertise in urbanism, soil and water systems, TU Delft emphasises interdisciplinary design and integrates natural systems with engineering solutions to improve urban environments. Together with Deltares, TU Delft is a key initiator of SPADES, leading the project's networking, integration and scientific output.
Founded in 2013, the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies at the Politecnico di Milano conducts research and design in architecture, urban planning, spatial governance, and heritage conservation. It is a leading research centre in Italy, connected to a global network of excellence and engaged in local, national and international collaborations.
The research spin-off of the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP), specialising in research, citizen engagement, advocacy, research communication and professional training in urban planning. Positioned as a knowledge broker and think tank, it facilitates the transnational dissemination and adoption of transdisciplinary knowledge and innovation across sectors, levels of governance and communities.
INRAE is the French national research institute for agriculture, food and the environment. INRAE uses research, innovation, and support for public policies as tools to guide the emergence of sustainable agricultural and food production systems. The institute aims to carry out science dedicated to life, humans, and the Earth that uncovers solutions to our most pressing concerns. It performs high-quality research on numerous topics, including water resources, regional agricultural strategies, the preservation and restoration of biodiversity, risk anticipation and management, agroecology, food security, etc.
ILVO, the Flemish independent research institute, focuses on sustainability in agriculture, fisheries, agri-food and rural areas. It aims to promote a liveable countryside by studying land use changes and their impact on ecosystem services such as food production, biodiversity and water management, while exploring solutions for multiple land use and innovative rural partnerships.
Grenoble-Alpes Métropole, with 450,000 inhabitants in 49 communes, combines urban and alpine landscapes shaped by the Belledonne, Chartreuse and Vercors mountains. A centre of industry, research and innovation, it is a leader in economic development, urban planning and environmental policy. Committed to sustainability, it launched France's first climate plan in 2005 and was named European Green Capital in 2022.
The Austrian Environment Agency (EAA) is the country's largest organisation of environmental experts and a leading European advisor. With over 600 experts, it supports decision-making at all levels and plays a key role in EIONET and the European Topic Centres. EAA specialises in land and soil protection, climate adaptation, GIS data and citizen engagement, and coordinates the Austrian Brownfields Dialogue and the European Common Forum on Contaminated Land.
Deltares is an independent applied research institute specialising in water and the subsurface, with a focus on deltas, coasts and river basins. Deltares works globally with governments, companies and research institutes to develop and share knowledge to address societal challenges. Committed to openness, it provides free access to its software and models. Based in Delft and Utrecht, Deltares employs over 900 people under the motto Enabling Delta Life.