BESTbelt

BESTbelt - More power for the European Green Belt

The BESTbelt pilot project is a key component of the European Green Belt Initiative, which safeguards Europe’s longest green network—12,500 km connecting 24 countries. Launched in 2021, BESTbelt strengthens biodiversity conservation by unlocking local potential along the European Green Belt  and empowering civil society organisations. Through small grants, the project supports efforts to protect biodiversity, restore natural habitats, raise environmental awareness, strengthen local communities, and foster green employment opportunities.

In addition to funding, BESTbelt offers training and guidance in project management to its grantees. It also actively engages the next generation of European conservationists by facilitating networking and knowledge exchange.

Background

The European Commission is supporting the BESTbelt project with €3.5 million in funding through the end of 2026. Building on the positive experience of the EU BEST Initiative, the European Parliament – on initiative of the MEPs Jutta Paulus and Nicolae Ștefănuță – established the idea of promoting a new project in the framework of the European Green Belt with long-term, sustainable perspectives for local actors. In its role as Chair of the European Green Belt Association, the official contractual partner of the project is EuroNatur, working closely together with the National BUND Competence Center Green Belt and the BUND Mecklenburg-West Pomerania as project team. The Board of the European Green Belt Association functions as steering committee of the project.