We launched the Commit to Green (Commit2Green) project at the beginning of 2025. The project aims to support cities in increasing their share of urban greenery with the participation of local communities. The intermediate goal of the project is to strengthen cities’ blue-green infrastructure and climate neutrality and resilience.
About the project
Commit to Green supports eight European cities transitioning from an intervention-based design of blue-green infrastructure to a more strategic approach. Warsaw, Poland, is one participating city. The other participating cities are Barcelona, The Hague, Mannheim, Milan, Sarajevo, Thessaloniki, and Vejle. The project also gathers local implementation partners and international support organizations.
Partners in the project are:
- ICLEI
- Resilient Cities Network
- IFLA
- IUCN
- Aarhus Universitet
- Universitat Autonoma De Barcelona
- Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche
- Universita’ Degli Studi Di Milano-Bicocca
- Deltares
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center
- Design Clips
- Sendzimir Foundation
- Creative Climate Cities
- Cener 21
- Toretei
The project is adopting ecosystem services to support decision-making at the city and neighbourhood levels. As climate change becomes more noticeable in urban areas (particularly flooding, heat waves, and draughts), decision-makers and local communities become increasingly aware of the need for green spaces to provide ecosystem services. Local communities directly benefit from neighbourhood green spaces, so the process should include significant involvement from them. They are also the ones who are directly affected by improving the space.
During the Commit2Green project, we are focusing on developing a systemic approach to changing the development of public lands. Eight cities are working to create a comprehensive greening strategy that considers residents’ voices. This strategy should fit into existing development policies and programs; each city will pilot it during the project.
Warsaw – Transforming the city’s housing estate courtyards
Many buildings in Warsaw are multi-story housing estates from the second half of the 20th century. Therefore, the green urban areas around them no longer fulfil their original function of playgrounds and meeting places. In addition, they often remain sealed with impermeable surfaces and cause heat stress, contributing to the urban heat island effect. Water retention in those areas is low, and residents rarely use them for recreation due to a lack of function and visual appeal.
Therefore, in Commit2Green, we will transform two selected neighbourhoods in Warsaw to improve the microclimate and the residents’ quality of life. The main goal is the participatory transformation of backyards into biodiverse and rainwater retention areas that will serve all residents. At the same time, we will develop innovative approaches to public participation. We plan to test solutions that increase adaptive capacity and promote climate neutrality in the city. We aim to create new standards for greening public and open spaces in Warsaw. The project aligns with the goals of the #Warsaw2030 Strategy and the city’s Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.
The Sendzimir Foundation will support the City of Warsaw in involving the local community in co-designing selected areas. The Foundation will also provide the city with expertise in blue-green infrastructure and climate change adaptation.
The Commit2Green project is co-financed by EU funds under the Horizon program.
