Țuțora, Iaşi (FUA), Romania
City population: 342738
Duration: 2022 – 2022
Implementation status: Completed
Scale: Sub-microscale: Street scale (including buildings)
Project area: unknown
Type of area: Waste disposal site or landfill
Last updated: March 2025

In 2022 an afforestation initiative was implemented near a landfill located in the Tutora commune (1 - 6). Organized by the City Hall of Tutora, the event brought together representatives from the regional government of Iasi County, the "Asociația de Dezvoltare Intercomunitară pentru Salubritate" (ADIS), and volunteers from SC Girexim SA, SC Salubris Iasi, and Edil Industri Iasi. Together, they planted 2,000 acacia saplings, donated by the Forestry Directorate of Iasi (6). The afforestation action took place under the umbrella of the regional environmental campaign "Iasi Mai Verde" (Iasi More Green), led by the County Council of Iasi. This campaign promotes a range of eco-friendly activities, including educational programs in schools, waste cleanup events, and afforestation initiatives in partnership with ADIS, while actively encouraging the support and participation of local municipalities from across the region (1, 3, & 7). "Iasi Mai Verde" aligns with national environmental strategies such as the Ministry of the Environment's "Curățăm România" (Let's Clean Romania) and the annual Planting Forest Month (3 & 6). On the same day, as part of the Iasi Mai Verde initiative, students from a local school in Tutora were given a practical education workshop on how waste management operates at the regional level. The students were also invited to witness the afforestation action and participate, fostering a deeper understanding of environmental stewardship (1- 5). The newly planted trees are acting as a natural barrier, and help improve air quality by filtering dust, pollution, and waste particles originating from the nearby Tutora landfill. In turn, this contributes to better living conditions for the residents in close proximity to the landfill, enhancing both their health and overall quality of life (5).

Row of planted saplings in the area
Row of planted saplings in the area
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=5094060013985478&set=pcb.5094060343985445

Overview

Nature-based solution

  • Parks and urban forests
  • Large urban parks or forests

Key challenges

  • Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
  • Climate change mitigation
  • Environmental quality
  • Air quality improvement
  • Waste management
  • Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
  • Green space creation and/or management
  • Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
  • Effective management
  • Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
  • Social interaction
  • Environmental education
  • Sense of community and community engagement

Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)

  • Environmental Degradation
  • Deforestation and forest degradation
  • Air pollution
  • Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
  • Physical health harm (from pollution, wildfire, extreme temperature)
  • Poor community engagement

Key priorities

Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation), Social Justice and community

Focus

Creation of new green areas, Creation of large parks and urban and peri-urban forests, Transformation of previously derelict areas, Landfill reclamation, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Educational and awareness raising programs, Improved governance of green or blue areas, Creation of new, innovative governance and management approaches

Project objectives

To improve air quality and mitigate odors from the landfill, enhancing the living conditions of residents nearby (5). To protect the environment through afforestation (a "forest curtain") and waste cleanup initiatives (1 - 3 & 7). To raise awareness about the importance of nature and its role in limiting climate change (1 to 3 & 7). To educate younger generations on environmental topics, climate change, and waste management, fostering a deeper appreciation of nature, increase the engagement level within the community and bring people together to interact (5 & 7). To foster regional partnerships that engage public institutions in ecological actions and create new management approaches (1 & 3 & 7).

Implementation activities

A large-scale afforestation effort was carried out with the plantation of 2,000 acacia saplings by volunteers from a broad partnership that included local public institutions such as the Iasi County Council, Tutora City Hall, and the Asociația de Dezvoltare Intercomunitară pentru Salubritate (ADIS), as well as private companies responsible for managing the nearby landfill (SC Girexim SA, SC Salubris Iași, and Edil Industri Iași) (1 to 6). In addition to the afforestation, an educational workshop on waste management processes was organized for 50 students from Școala Gimnazială Țuțora. The students were also invited to participate in and observe the plantation, giving them hands-on insight into the importance of environmental actions and waste management (2, 3 & 5). Also within the framework of this campaign, numerous guided tours were organized for students from the county at the Țuțora Integrated Waste Management Center, in the form of interactive lessons on waste collection and recycling. So far, more than 500 children have signed up for these activities. (3)

Climate-focused activities

Climate change mitigation:

  • Raise public awareness of behaviours, lifestyle and cultural changes with mitigation potential
Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts
Yes

Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities

Rural agricultural communities

Main beneficiaries

  • Citizens or community groups
  • Young people and children

Governance

Management set-up

  • Government-led

Type of initiating organisation

  • Regional government
  • Local government/municipality
  • Public sector institution

Participatory approaches/ community involvement

  • Dissemination of information and education
  • Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)

Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project

The educational workshop was carried out under the "Iasi Mai Verde" campaing organised by the Iasi County Hall (regional body) in partnership with ADIS (Asociația de Dezvoltare Intercomunitară pentru Salubritate, a public institution) and the City Hall of Tutora invited them to carry out and afforestation action additionally (1 - 6). Volunteers from SC Girexim SA, SC Salubris Iași and Edil Industri Iași (all three are private companies) and the public institutions helped carrying out the plantation together with students from Școala Gimnazială Țuțora that attended the workshops (2 & 5 & 6). The saplings were donated by the Iasi Foresty Directorate (regional body) (6).

Project implemented in response to ...

... an EU policy or strategy? Unknown
... a national policy or strategy? Yes ("Curatam Romania" (3) // "Luna Padurii" (4), part of National Strategy for Forests 2030 and ORDER no. 710 of April 1, 2022 of the Minister of Environment, Water and Forests ("The program regarding the greening of areas affected by waste"))
... a local policy or strategy? Unknown

Type of enablers

City network or regional partnerships focused on climate change, sustainability, GI or NBS in the city

Financing

Total cost

Unknown

Source(s) of funding

  • Public regional budget

Type of funding

  • Earmarked public budget

Non-financial contribution

Type of non-financial contribution
  • Provision of land
  • Provision of goods
  • Provision of labour
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
  • Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
  • Private sector (businesses, financial institution)

Impacts and Monitoring

Environmental impacts

  • Environmental quality
  • Improved air quality
  • Expected improved air quality
  • Improved waste management
  • Expected improved waste management
  • Green space and habitat
  • Increased green space area
  • Achieved increased green space area
  • Other

Economic impacts

  • Generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
  • Achieved generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)

Socio-cultural impacts

  • Social justice and cohesion
  • Improved liveability
  • Expected improved liveability
  • Increased opportunities for social interaction
  • Achieved increased opportunities for social interaction
  • Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
  • Achieved increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
  • Cultural heritage and sense of place
  • Increased appreciation for natural spaces
  • Achieved increased appreciation for natural spaces
  • Education
  • Increased support for education and scientific research
  • Achieved increased support for education and scientific research

Type of reported impacts

Presence of formal monitoring system

Unknown

Presence of indicators used in reporting

No evidence in public records

Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports

No evidence in public records

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

No

Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs

Unknown

References

1.
Moldovanu, m. (2022). Un Iași mai verde_ „Facem fapte bune pentru mediu”. BZI , Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link];
2.
Costel, A. (2022). Costel Alexe _ Iași Mai Verde este pentru noi un mod de gândire și un stil de viață. Sunt sigur că dacă vom continua să facem cât mai multe fapte bune… . Instagram, Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link];
3.
24:ORE (n.d.). Acțiuni de ecologizare și împădurire, în tot județul, în cadrul campaniei „Iași Mai Verde” . Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link];
4.
Bogdan, C.P. (2022). Continuăm activitățile de #mediu din... . Facebook , Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link];
5.
Cazacu, A. (2022). Andrei Cazacu - Investim în mediu, investim în viitor pentru un... . Facebook , Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link];
6.
Albu, C. (2022). Cristinel Albu - Dragi prieteni! În urma unei zile încărcate,.... Facebook , Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link];
7.
Consiliul Judetean Iasi (n.d.). Consiliul Județean Iași inițiază campania de ecologizare „Iași Mai Verde” . Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link];
8.
Primaria Comuna Tutora (n.d.). Proiecte-si-strategii-2014-2023. Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link];
9.
Populatia RO (n.d.). Populația Comunei Țuțora, Jud. Iași . Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link];
10.
Comuna Tutoria (n.d.). Statutul Comunei Tutora, . p. 32 to 34. Accessed on September 30, 2024, [Source link];
Back with shirt with logo of the campaing, volunteers planting in the background
Back with shirt with logo of the campaing, volunteers planting in the background
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=5116418185064251&set=pcb.5116418461730890
IASI mai verde
IASI mai verde
https://www.facebook.com/andrei.cazacu.52/posts/pfbid0rH8puYH66ipfbyStHZNaxozQTaycxBNKfVPQKwyYznqQ4QsBRwFfLr1XY8qHHLdUl
IASI mai verde
IASI mai verde
https://www.facebook.com/andrei.cazacu.52/posts/pfbid0rH8puYH66ipfbyStHZNaxozQTaycxBNKfVPQKwyYznqQ4QsBRwFfLr1XY8qHHLdUl
IASI mai verde
IASI mai verde
https://www.facebook.com/andrei.cazacu.52/posts/pfbid0rH8puYH66ipfbyStHZNaxozQTaycxBNKfVPQKwyYznqQ4QsBRwFfLr1XY8qHHLdUl
IASI mai verde
IASI mai verde
https://www.facebook.com/cojocaru.bogdan.75/posts/pfbid02LCiqLLdufLJrrqPhNvUVEXEWbo6j66ZRWfSGdCV5aTaBRyZdY38TT4M4114LQrPSl
IASI mai verde
IASI mai verde
https://www.facebook.com/cojocaru.bogdan.75/posts/pfbid02LCiqLLdufLJrrqPhNvUVEXEWbo6j66ZRWfSGdCV5aTaBRyZdY38TT4M4114LQrPSl
IASI mai verde
IASI mai verde
https://www.facebook.com/cojocaru.bogdan.75/posts/pfbid02LCiqLLdufLJrrqPhNvUVEXEWbo6j66ZRWfSGdCV5aTaBRyZdY38TT4M4114LQrPSl
naturescapes bannerInformation about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.