Funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme through Léargas, the Erasmus+ More Trees Now Project is a transformative European initiative dedicated to ecosystem restoration and climate change mitigation through innovative tree planting methodologies and educational programmes. By restoring natural ecosystems and promoting sustainable practices and environmental stewardship across Europe and globally, the project is contributing to a healthier environment and a more resilient future for all communities.

At its core, the Erasmus+ More Trees Now Project is combating climate change through large-scale, sustainable tree planting initiatives while simultaneously addressing biodiversity loss by increasing genetic diversity in reforestation efforts. A critical barrier to effective ecosystem restoration is the shortage of available tree nurseries to meet the demand for reforestation at scale. Additionally, most commercially available trees lack genetic diversity, as they typically originate from single nurseries and are often non-native in genetic composition, reducing the resilience of restored ecosystems. Rather than relying on limited nursery supplies, the More Trees Now methodology (developed by Stichting MEERGroen) harvests tree saplings and shrubs from areas where they grow abundantly but may not reach maturity or are at risk of being mowed down. This innovative approach ensures genetic diversity by utilizing locally-adapted species rather than commercially-sourced monocultures, creating healthier and more resilient forests. This sustainable harvesting model demonstrates that effective large-scale reforestation and environmental restoration doesn’t require depleting existing resources — instead, it works with nature’s abundance to achieve transformative outcomes.

The project also prioritizes fostering civic engagement in rural communities across Europe, and building green skills and ecosystem restoration knowledge among adult learners in rural communities. By empowering communities to take active roles in environmental restoration, the Erasmus+ More Trees Now Project is creating lasting change that extends far beyond individual tree plantings.

The Project is following a carefully structured framework to achieve its set objectives:

• Best practices exchange facilitates knowledge sharing across different climates and regions, ensuring that successful approaches in one area can be adapted and applied elsewhere. 
• Local training programmes deliver hands-on instruction in reforestation methods tailored to rural communities, building capacity among adult learners to lead restoration efforts in their own regions. 
• The research component tests and documents ecological solutions for climate and biodiversity crises, generating evidence-based insights that strengthen the project’s methodologies. 
• Educational tools development creates online courses and innovative learning spaces specifically designed for ecosystem restoration and regenerative agriculture, making cutting-edge knowledge accessible to adult learners across partner countries. 
• Finally, awareness is being raised nationally and internationally through a tailored communication plan, amplifying the project’s impact and inspiring broader environmental action.