The civic movement in Bucharest is gaining even more momentum through the second edition of the “In ZONA TA” program, supported by ING Bank Romania and implemented by the Bucharest Community Foundation through the Environmental Platform for Bucharest. 13 initiatives, out of 23 eligible proposals submitted by residents from 42 micro-communities across the capital and developed within the “În ZONA TA” incubator, will receive a total of 650,000 lei in funding, along with mentorship and implementation support. The selected projects provide tangible solutions for a greener, more livable city, neighborhood by neighborhood. Among them are the transformation of abandoned lots into community gardens, redesigning local markets through participatory design, creating object libraries, revitalizing green spaces with nature-based solutions, as well as composting and reuse initiatives, and ecological interventions in schoolyards and residential courtyards. The initiatives will be implemented between July and December 2025, with the support of mentors and program experts.
More and more Bucharest residents are becoming aware of the environmental issues affecting their neighbourhoods, and nearly a quarter of them wish to play an active role in transforming the city, according to research conducted last year by CeRe – the Resource Centre for Public Participation, at the initiative of the Bucharest Community Foundation. In response to this growing desire for civic engagement, the “In ZONA TA” call for ideas has once again brought together 75 proactive Bucharest citizens from 9 neighbourhoods to develop solutions to the environmental challenges identified within their micro-communities. Following the submission of their project proposals for funding, civic initiative groups and non-governmental organisations took part in the “În ZONA TA” incubator for a period of four weeks. During this time, they collaborated with experts from various fields and benefitted from over 100 hours of mentoring, transforming their ideas into actionable solutions through an intensive co-creation process carried out directly within the community.
Cele 13 proiecte selectate pentru finanțare prin programul susținut de ING Bank România includ 8 inițiative propuse de grupuri civice și 5 de organizații neguvernamentale care colaborează cu comunitățile locale din cartierele Tineretului, Colentina și Titan pentru a implementa ideile axate pe regenerarea urbană, reutilizarea resurselor, educația ecologică, biodiversitatea urbană și consolidarea legăturilor dintre vecini prin soluții sustenabile și colaborative.
The 13 projects selected for funding through the programme supported by ING Bank Romania include 8 initiatives proposed by civic groups and 5 by non-governmental organisations working in partnership with local communities in the Tineretului, Colentina, and Titan neighbourhoods. These initiatives focus on urban regeneration, resource reuse, environmental education, urban biodiversity, and strengthening neighbourly ties through sustainable, collaborative solutions.
“Change in the city we live in begins with each of us, and the initiatives selected in the second edition of the “In ZONA TA” programme demonstrate that ideas originating from those directly affected by environmental issues in their communities can make a significant impact. Each project presents a clear solution tailored to the real needs of the neighbourhood, along with a well-thought-out plan to transform the surrounding spaces. We are proud to support individuals who choose to get involved, to build together, and to restore meaning in a city where environmental challenges call for bold, sustainable and concrete action”, says Alina Kasprovschi, Executive Director, Fundatia Comunitara Bucuresti.
With the support of a 69,200 lei grant, the project “La rond”, developed by the Civic Initiative Group “Piața Voievozilor”, will redevelop the Sfinții Voievozi Square by installing sustainable urban furniture, planting vegetation to provide shade, and implementing a new waste collection system. The initiative actively involves the local community and serves as a model for participatory urban regeneration.
The “Cotroshare” project, initiated by the Association for Sustainable Consumption and funded with 71,000 lei, is launching an object library in the Cotroceni neighbourhood, where residents can borrow rarely used items. The platform is complemented by workshops, swap markets, and green activities, promoting a collaborative economy and strengthening local solidarity.
The “Garden of the Bucharest Municipal Museum” project, implemented by the Alte Abilități Association, has been awarded 71,000 lei in funding to revitalise the museum’s neglected courtyard and transform it into an accessible urban park. The space will become a green, community-oriented area with both ecological and social value, as part of a broader initiative to reclaim public green spaces across Bucharest.
The ReFresh Citadella civic initiative group has been granted nearly 68,485 lei for the project “Communicate Life at a Green Distance”, which will transform a 1,000-square-metre area in the courtyard of the Citadela Titan complex into an accessible green space. The project includes pathways, urban furniture, eco-friendly lighting, vegetation, an insect hotel, and a dedicated bicycle area.
The Plantaredetot civic initiative group has received 64,000 lei in funding for the project “Grădini asumate” (“Committed Gardens”), which aims to green the neglected green space behind the apartment block at 125 Turda Street through planting, the installation of insect hotels, composting, and educational workshops. The initiative actively engages neighbours of all ages and serves as an example of urban biodiversity and intergenerational collaboration.
“Gospodari la Obor!” (“Stewards at Obor!”), a project implemented by the Short Food Supply Chain Association (ALAS), has received 63,500 lei in funding to introduce community composting in Obor Market and promote the reduction of food waste. Through hands-on activities, educational tours, and the involvement of both vendors and residents, the initiative is turning the market into a model of circular economy and urban environmental education.
Through the project “Community Garden – Tineretului”, developed by the civic initiative group We grow with the support of a 49,700 lei grant, an unused plot of land at the entrance to Tineretului Park will be transformed into a productive and educational garden. The space will feature cultivated plots, ecological workshops, and a dedicated relaxation area.
The “Balcon Obor” project, initiated by the STOL Association, is also receiving 49,700 lei to transform the terrace of the Obor Market Hall into a green, accessible agora. The 500-square-metre space will be redeveloped with planted islands and activated through workshops, community cooking, gardening, and other activities designed to foster social cohesion and urban ecology.
“E.C.O. S.C.H.O.O.L. 150”, an initiative of the civic group ECO ȘCOALA 150, has been awarded 49,700 lei to transform the courtyard of Secondary School No. 150 into a green educational space. With support from specialists, teachers, and parents, the project will create outdoor learning areas, composting infrastructure, and community-focused activities.
Proiectul „Grădina Tineretului”, propus de Grupul de inițiativă civică Acțiunea Comunitară Tineretului, beneficiază de o finanțare de 42.000 de lei pentru reamenajarea a trei spații verzi neglijate din cartier. Intervențiile prevăd plantări adaptate la noile condiții climatice, garduri vii și ateliere educative pentru vecini de toate vârstele, promovând biodiversitatea urbană și spiritul comunitar.
The project “Tineretului Garden”, proposed by the civic initiative group Acțiunea Comunitară Tineretului, has received funding of 42,000 lei to redesign three neglected green spaces in the neighbourhood. The interventions include climate-resilient planting, the creation of living hedges, and educational workshops for neighbours of all ages, promoting urban biodiversity and community spirit.
„Livada Comunitară Mărțișor – hrană pentru viitor!”, un proiect dezvoltat de Grupul de inițiativă Livada Comunitară Mărțișor, primește o finanțare de 55.000 lei pentru a transforma livada Casei Memoriale Tudor Arghezi într-un model de regenerare ecologică urbană. Vor fi amenajate pajiști, o mini-pepinieră, infrastructuri pentru faună mică și organizate ateliere de pomicultură, biodiversitate și grădinărit cu implicarea directă a comunității.
“Livada Comunitară Mărțișor – Food for the Future!”, a project developed by the Livada Comunitară Mărțișor initiative group, has been awarded 55,000 lei to transform the orchard of the Tudor Arghezi Memorial House into a model of urban ecological regeneration. The project will include the creation of meadows, a mini-nursery, infrastructure to support small wildlife, and the organisation of workshops on orchard care, biodiversity, and gardening, with the direct involvement of the local community.
“SpatiuViu@Mihalache126”, proposed by the Dioda Initiative Group, has received 42,000 lei to transform the courtyard of the Mihalache 126 apartment block into a community garden featuring over 200 native plants, a rainwater irrigation system, a used oil collection point, and an educational area for gardening and recycling, managed in collaboration with the residents.
Initiated by the group Aici a fost o pădure (“Here There Was a Forest”), the project “Environmental Hub in Titan” has received 25,000 lei in funding to establish a space in the Titan neighbourhood dedicated to the community engaged in protecting green areas. The centre will host circular economy activities, plant swaps, a freeshop, and will serve as a meeting and coordination point for civic initiatives. The Environmental Platform for Bucharest is a strategic programme developed by the Bucharest Community Foundation and ING Bank Romania, launched in 2022. The programme aims to turn the environmental challenges faced by residents into viable, actionable projects for the benefit of Bucharest and its people. The Environmental Platform for Bucharest was created to bring together experts from civil society, academia, the corporate sector, citizens, activists, policymakers, and public authorities to act in a coordinated manner towards addressing the complex environmental issues affecting the city.
The Bucharest Community Foundation connects donors, NGOs, and initiative groups to build strong and united communities in Bucharest and Ilfov. In its 13 years of activity, the foundation has funded 875 projects and scholarships, with a total investment exceeding 28 million lei. For more information, visit www.fundatiacomunitarabucuresti.ro. The Environmental Platform for Bucharest, initiated by the Bucharest Community Foundation together with ING Bank Romania, aims to develop a shared vision for the environment in Bucharest and Ilfov. The platform brings together NGOs, civil initiative groups, public authorities and companies to create the collaborative impact needed to transform the Capita into a city where its inhabitants can lead a healthy life and companies prosper without being exposed to environmental risks. The program facilitated 3.6 million lei investments in five funding rounds and has already supported the implementation of 23 environmental projects in Bucharest and Ilfov.
ING Bank Romania is part of ING Group, a global financial institution serving over 38 million individual, corporate, and institutional clients across 40+ countries. Established in 1994, ING Bank Romania is now a universal bank, offering a full range of products and services to large and small companies, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, and individual customers. It is the only bank in the top 10 local banks by assets that has achieved organic growth, without acquiring customer portfolios or other banks. With over 1.7 million clients across three business segments – Retail Banking, SMEs & Mid-Corporate, and Wholesale Banking – ING Bank Romania is committed to helping people stay a step ahead, in life and business. As society transitions toward a low-carbon economy, so do our clients – and so does ING. While we are already financing many sustainable activities, we recognize that there is still more to do. See our progress at ing.com/climate.
