Insectopia, a flagship initiative by the EU GREEN Alliance, transforms university campuses into vibrant “insect utopias,” blending biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, and creative expression.
Through expert-led webinars and open calls for proposals in each of the 9 Universities, Insectopia empowers students, staff, and local communities to design impactful ecological projects—like insect ressorts, pollinator gardens, artistic installations, exhibitions, events,…. By connecting science and creativity, these efforts deliver tangible results, restoring ecosystems and showcasing the crucial role insects play in maintaining environmental balance in a pedagogical and inspiring way.
INSECTOPIA CALL FOR PROPOSALS 2025
Open until April 21, 2025
The INSECTOPIA Initiative invites students, university staff, and local community members across the EU GREEN Alliance to design and implement innovative projects that support insect biodiversity on university campuses. This initiative fosters creative, multidisciplinary approaches to sustainability by integrating ecological functionality, education, and community engagement.
Who Can Apply?
- Students from all disciplines and levels
- University staff (administrative, teaching, and research personnel)
- External community members (e.g., environmental organizations, researchers, local schools)
*Please check the specific section in the call for proposals of your University, since it may change from this general rule.
Each proposal should be a collaborative and multidisciplinary effort with a team of up to three members. Selected projects will be implemented during the course 2025-2026 and will be showcased as EU GREEN flagship sustainability initiatives and as inspiring pedagogical tools for future students and the society.
What We Are Looking For
Supporting Local Biodiversity
Creating insect-friendly habitats, with special attention to wild pollinators.
Sustainability
Using natural and recycled materials for long-term ecological impact.
Education & Engagement
Raising awareness about insects’ vital role in ecosystems.
Creativity & Innovation
Implementing original designs and technological approaches.
Winning projects will be implemented during the course 2025-2026 on EU GREEN campuses and recognized during a special EU GREEN event, coinciding with the World Bee Day (May 20, 2025). As award, the selected participants will attend the INSECTOPIA Retreat in Spain (June 1-6, 2025) for specialized training, cultural exchange, and networking opportunities
Locally Adapted Call for Proposals
Each of the nine universities in the EU GREEN Alliance will manage its own call in its local language, adapting the initiative to its specific campus and community context. This ensures that biodiversity efforts are relevant, accessible, and impactful across different regions.
How to Apply?
Submit your proposal via the Call for Proposals Form before April 21, 2025 (23:59 CET).
Proposals will be submitted in each University:
🌱 Be part of INSECTOPIA and help transform campuses into thriving insect and biodiversity hubs! 🐝
To inspire and assist applicants in developing their proposals, a series of webinars was developed. These sessions, led by EU GREEN experts and researchers in insect-related topics, provide capacity building, science-based resources, inspiration and guidance.
These sessions spark innovative ideas, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and lay the groundwork for project proposals.
Recorded webinars, presentations and complementary resources contribute to a growing resource hub featuring exclusive content, all created within the EU GREEN framework.
WEBINARS
Pollinators: Diversity, Importance, and Causes of Their Decline
Prof. Francisco Javier Valtueña
Director of the University Environmental Office
University of Extremadura, Spain
Architectural Spaces for Insects and People
PrLecturer arch. Silviu Medeșan
PhD candidate arch. George Tamaș
University of Oradea, Romania
Collab. with Otto von Güericke Magdeburg University
Why Do We Need Pollinators? Role, Threats, and Protection of This Insect Group
Prof. Cupșa Diana
Department of Biology
University of Oradea, Romania
LANDART for Creative and Participatory Ecosystem Restoration
Antonio Román Casas
University of Extremadura, Spain
Pollinators in Rural Areas
PhD Eng. Jowita Pyszczek
Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Poland
From Artificial Nests to AI Trail Cameras: New Technology for Studying and Monitoring Insect Biodiversity
Daniele Giannetti – Research fellow
University of Parma, Italy
THE POLLINATING CRISIS A THREAT TO HUMAN SURVIVAL
Rita Azedo & André Oliveira
University of Évora, Portugal
REWARDING FARMLAND INSECT DIVERSITY THROUGH RESULT BASED AGRI ENVIRONMENT SCHEM
Prof. Dolores Byrne
Institute of Technology Sligo - ATU
Department of Environmental Science
HOW CITIZEN SCIENCE CAN HELP THE STUDY OF POLLINATORS
Prof. Cristina Castracani
University of Parma
Key Milestones and Activities
- January – February 2025: Expert-led Webinars
- February – April 2025: Call for proposals
- 20th May 2025: Announcement of winning proposals
- June 2025: Insectopia winning teams retreat and hackathon in Spain
EU GREEN: Committed to Lasting Impact
By fostering sustainable practices and promoting biodiversity awareness, Insectopia aims to transform university campuses into thriving hubs of ecological education and innovation. The initiative also seeks to build a lasting repository of educational resources, including recorded webinars and supporting materials, to encourage continued learning and long-term impact.
Insectopia will continue to evolve with additional webinars and activities based on a long-term engagement approach to ensure Insectopia’s sustainability and further establish it as a dynamic platform for innovation, knowledge sharing, and ecological action.
As a flagship project of the EU Green Alliance, Insectopia stands as a symbol of shared commitment to ecological restoration, environmental stewardship, and the promotion of biodiversity on campuses and beyond.
