How well do you know the natural environment surrounding your university? Could you identify the plants, animals, insects or fungi that share your campus? Although EELISA campuses are home to rich and diverse ecosystems, much of this biodiversity often goes unnoticed. The Growing a Robust Campus (GRC) project aims to change that by encouraging the entire EELISA community to discover, document, and protect the nature that exists just beyond the classroom. 

Startinh on 16 June 2026 the project aims to open a space for creation of an EELISA Biodiversity Inventory, developed through the course of a year that invites students, staff, and members of the public to record the biodiversity across EELISA campuses. ogether, participants will contribute to creating the first shared biodiversity atlas of the EELISA Alliance, helping build a deeper understanding of the ecosystems that connect its institutions. To impulse this challenge, several institutions have organised specific ations, to be carried out starting February 2027, and encourage University members to join forces on the creation of this map.

Organised actions – Phase 1 

On February 2027, selected students will act as biodiversity mentors by helping other campuses evaluate and promote biodiversity, research, analyse and measure their campus’s constructed environment and have the opportunity to adapt and revise it through projects such as ecosystem restoration, invasive species removal, water scheme planning, native pollinator habitat creation and wildlife support and conservation. This activity will be available at:

–  École nationale des ponts et chaussées

–  Universidad Politécnica de Madrid” –  Department of Building Technology at the “Escuela Técnica Superior de Edificación” 

–  İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi – Architecture Faculty 

– Friedrich Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg 

– Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften -Institute of Natural Resource Sciences at the

Working alongside academic tutors, students will investigate the ecological conditions of their campus—or another EELISA campus—through outdoor field research and environmental assessments. They will analyse ecosystem health, water resilience, and the impact of human activities on the built environment before proposing practical interventions to improve biodiversity. Depending on each campus, projects may include ecosystem restoration, invasive species removal, water management planning, the creation of habitats for native pollinators, wildlife conservation initiatives, and other nature-based solutions that contribute to more resilient and climate-friendly campuses.

By carrying out similar activities simultaneously across different countries, participants will collectively create a symbolic EELISA Biodiversity Corridor, demonstrating how coordinated local actions can contribute to biodiversity conservation and climate resilience at a European scale.

Organised actions – Phase 2

On a second phase of this activity, from February to May 2027, participating students will meet regularly through a series of hybrid exchange sessions. These meetings will provide opportunities to present project progress, exchange good practices, discuss challenges, and learn from one another’s experiences while strengthening collaboration across the Alliance.

Organised actions – Final Onsite Event

A final hybrid and face-to-face workshop will be held at Ecole nationale des ponts et chaussées (ENPC) in May 2027, bringing together students and staff from across the Alliance. The event will showcase project outcomes, facilitate discussions on lessons learned and future opportunities, and help define a long-term vision for the initiative.

The workshop will also mark the inauguration of the EELISA GRC Garden at ENPC, creating a lasting symbol of the Alliance’s commitment to biodiversity, sustainability, and collaborative environmental action.

Note: Budgetary restraints might be applicable for travel and accomodation. 

WHEN

From 16 June 2026 to 16 June 2027, with specific onsite actions developed in specific EELISA Campuses Starting February

Onsite gathering will be held in Paris, on May 2027

WHERE

Onsite all year on each EELISA Campus

Onsite& online in Paris for the final Event

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications can be sent staring 1 September 2026