The Forest Therapy Hub trainers and its solid network of students and partners are currently involved in implementing the following projects:
NATURELAB
Design, implementation and validation of nature-based therapies
Horizon Europe 2023-2027 | EUR 6M
NATURELAB
Design, implementation and validation of nature-based therapies
Horizon Europe 2023-2027 | EUR 6M
Project Partners:
- Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil (LNEC)
- University of Greifswald
- BioCon Valley® GmbH
- Forest Therapy Hub (FTHub)
- Asociación Peruana de Horticultura Terapéutica y Social (APHTS)
- Kentro Merimnas Oikogeneias Kai Paidiou (KMOP)
- Ficus Perú Desarrollo Socioambiental (FICUS)
- Klinikum der Universität zu Köln
- Wageningen University
- Stichting VU (VU)
- Canary Wharf Consulting Limited
- Rio Neiva Associação de Defesa do Ambiente
- Municipio de Sintra
- Sociedade Portuguesa de Inovação (SPI)
Tasks:
Design, implementation and validation of tailored nature-based therapeutic programmes to improve the physical and mental health conditions of the participants involved in these programmes, in different geographical locations and health conditions, to establish and validate the methodology, structure, and components for a portfolio of nature-based therapy structured programmes, and to define the nature-based practitioner formal requirements protocol, recruitment, and training to conduct the interventions and supervise their replication.
The project foresees the training of 600 professionals and the implementation of pilot projects on 4,000 people and specific groups.
Learn more here.
PHorestAll
Planetary Health by Healing Forests as a Nature-Based Solution
Biodiversa+ 2025-2027 | EUR 1M
PHorestAll
Planetary Health by Healing Forests as a Nature-Based Solution
Biodiversa+ 2025-2027 | EUR 1M
Project partners:
- Agency for the Development of Nature Tourism
- Department of Life Sciences, Centre for Functional Ecology, University of Coimbra
- Department of Population Medicine and Lifestyle Diseases Prevention, Medical University of Białystok
- School of Forestry and Resources Conservation, National Taiwan University
- Slovenian Forestry Institute
- Institute for Balneology and Climatology, University of Maribor
Department of Pharmacognosy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences - Forest Therapy Hub (FTHub)
Tasks:
PHorestAll explores how forests promote health through elements like soil microbiomes and BVOCs, while standardising nature-based interventions. FTHub will lead 12 Forest Therapy sessions in five forests using its science-based methodology to assess health outcomes and contribute to the classification of “Healing Forests”.
Learn more here.
Back to Nature
Empowering Youth Against Addiction through Forest Therapy
Erasmus+ 2025-2026 | EUR 60,000
Back to Nature
Empowering Youth Against Addiction through Forest Therapy
Erasmus+ 2025-2026 | EUR 60,000
Project partners:
- SGLZŠ Postojna (Postojna Forestry, Wood Technology and Nursing Secondary Vocational School)
- Poenta
- Forest Therapy Hub (FTHub)
Tasks:
A project focused on preventing addiction and enhancing mental well-being among youth through nature-based strategies. The project includes research on substance use trends, training youth workers in Forest Therapy methods and other tasks. The Youth Mobility Event in Slovenia is a key component, where participants engage in immersive forest-based activities. The project will also produce a Forest Therapy manual, pilot it with youth, and disseminate results widely, all while prioritising inclusion and empowerment of young people with fewer opportunities.
Learn more here.
Winner as Top Innovator
World Economic Forum's UpLink Challenge
2023 | Funding up to USD 150,000
Winner as Top Innovator
World Economic Forum's UpLink Challenge
2023 | Funding up to USD 150,000
Tasks:
FTHub as the winner of the Forest and Health Challenge by UpLink Innovation Network of the World Economic Forum's Sustainable Development Impact to develop the mobile app "One Health: Connecting with Nature", to promote nature connection, community interaction, and One Health principles. This challenge called for innovative solutions that emphasised the interdependence between forests and human health and well-being.
Learn more here.
Green Prescription
Nature-based Interventions for people with Mental Health disorders
Green Prescription
Nature-based Interventions for people with Mental Health disorders
Tasks:
Implementation of Forest Bathing in the Basque Country as a therapeutic practice.
Measurement and analysis of the beneficial effects on physical health and quality of life of people with mental health disorders regarding Emotional Well-being, Physical Well-being, Interpersonal Relationships and Personal Development.
View the project PDF here.
NAT-CARE
Integrating Green Prescription into Nature-Based Healthcare Education for Sustainable Well-being
Erasmus+ 2025-2026 | EUR 60,000
NAT-CARE
Integrating Green Prescription into Nature-Based Healthcare Education for Sustainable Well-being
Erasmus+ 2025-2026 | EUR 60,000
Project Partners:
- University of Burgos (Spain)
- Forest Therapy Hub (FTHub)
Tasks:
Development of a recognised higher education training pathway that operationalises Nature Prescription within nursing and healthcare education, including the creation of an evidence-informed hybrid curriculum and a multilingual Digital Green Prescription Toolkit to support patient guidance, professional decision-making, and outcome follow-up.
The project includes sector research to identify structural barriers and competency gaps in Portugal and Spain, alongside the delivery of pilot workshops in collaboration with a university institution to assess and strengthen the practical integration of nature-based approaches within healthcare and community systems.
Learn more here.
Forest4Youth
Forest-based therapies to support the rehabilitation of adolescents facing mental health issues
Interreg 2025-2029 | EUR 3.9M
Forest4Youth
Forest-based therapies to support the rehabilitation of adolescents facing mental health issues
Interreg 2025-2029 | EUR 3.9M
Project partners:
- CNP St Martin
- UNature
- RCSI
- SRFB-KBBM
- Elan Argonnais
- Bruxelles-Environnement
- ULB
- Landesforst Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- BioCon Valley, EUFAMI, Similes, UNAFAM, CRéSAM
- Forest Therapy Hub (FTHub)
Tasks:
Support the development of a joint forest-based therapy protocol for adolescents (12-18) in psychiatric wards across NWE by co-creating a standardised, tested and validated programme; implementing joint pilot actions with mental health and forest professionals; raising awareness among professionals, policymakers, users and families; and upskilling both sectors to integrate health-oriented forest management practices.
Learn more here.
NASC
Nature Ambassadors for Sustainable Change
Erasmus+ 2025-2026 | EUR 60,000
NASC
Nature Ambassadors for Sustainable Change
Erasmus+ 2025-2026 | EUR 60,000
Project partners:
- Resilience.Earth
- Forest Therapy Hub (FTHub)
Tasks:
The project empowers young people aged 16-30, especially those from rural, disadvantaged or migrant backgrounds, to become local leaders in environmental sustainability, mental health and social resilience. Through non-formal education, tailored training and hands-on community initiatives, participants gain the tools to co-create nature-based solutions and promote well-being while addressing climate challenges.
Learn more here.
Green Touch
EcoMind for Higher Education Future
Erasmus+ 2023-2026 | EUR 250,000
Green Touch
EcoMind for Higher Education Future
Erasmus+ 2023-2026 | EUR 250,000
Project partners:
- Rīga Stradiņš University
- University of Maribor
- Cyprus University of Technology
- Forest Therapy Hub (FTHub)
Tasks:
Development of the Smart Green Touch Digital Toolkit, which connects users to mental health resources, and mindfulness practices to help reduce stress, create balance and cultivate a sense of well-being; the pilot study on integrating the EcoMind mindset in higher education settings and the E-Course to better manage mental health with the EcoMind mindset for more sustainable educational outcomes.
FORESTWELL
Erasmus+ 2022-2025 | EUR 250,000
FORESTWELL
Erasmus+ 2022-2025 | EUR 250,000
Project partners:
- Visja strokovna sola za gostinstvo in turizem Maribor, Slovenia (Educational Center)
- Framhaldsskólinn í Austur - Skaftafellssýslu
- Iceland (Educational Center)
- European E-learning Institute
- Denmark København
- Marketing Services Irlanda Leitrim Limited
- Mood of Finland, Finland Hyvinkää
- Forest Therapy Hub (FTHub)
Tasks:
Develop a sustainable teaching module on forest wellness and tourism in a forest environment for providers, learners and entrepreneurs in the tourism and wellness industry to develop the knowledge and skills aimed at capitalising on the latest megatrend known as forest-based well-being, wellness and tourism.
Implementation of Green Prescription
2017 – present
Implementation of Green Prescription (Spain)
2017 – present
Project Partners:
- DKV
- Forest Therapy Hub (FTHub)
- Europarc
Task:
Consultancy and collaboration for the planning and identification of Forest Bathing trails. To know more about the project (in Spanish):
BiBos 6.0 | Research on FTHub Method for Nature-Based Interventions for mental health populations (Navarra, Spain)
Research on FTHub Method for Nature-Based Interventions for mental health populations: BiBos 6.0
(Navarra, Spain)
Project managers at FTHub:
- Alex Gesse
- Marta Ayats
Project Partners:
- Universidad de Navarra
- Gure Sustraiak
- Foresna-Zurgaia
- Basartea
Collaborators:
- FTHub
- USSE
Funding:
- Caja Navarra Foundation
- Government of Navarra
- La Caixa Foundation
Tasks:
Training of 15 social workers, psychologists, researchers and forestry engineers to carry out Nature-Based Interventions with Gure Sustraiak school farm’s residents and personnel.
12 Forest Bathing sessions with 7 groups (5 groups of intellectually disabled people and 2 groups of environmental and social programmes educators) for three months.
Data analysis from Forest Bathing evaluations was done before and after the sessions.
Consultancy and implementation of therapeutic trails in Monti Sibillini National Park (Italy)
Consultancy and implementation of therapeutic trails in Monti Sibillini National Park
(Italy)
Project managers at FTHub:
- Carlo Bifulco
Project Partners:
- Monti Sibillini National Park
- AIGAE
Tasks:
Identification and mapping of 19 sites for Forest Bathing in Monti Sibillini National Park. Monitoring plan on the satisfaction of the sites and communication plan for the new sites.
To learn more visit (in Italian):
http://www.sibillini.net/attivita/attivita/turismoSostenibile/forestBathing/introduzione/
http://www.sibillini.net/attivita/attivita/turismoSostenibile/forestBathing/documenti/
Feasibility Study of Nature-based Interventions as Public Policy (Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain)
Feasibility Study of Nature-Based Interventions as Public Policy
(Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain)
Date: 2019 – present
Project managers at FTHub:
- Alex Gesse
- Marta Ayats
- Ibon Sarasola
- Violeta Torán
Project Partners:
- Cristina Enea Foundation
- San Sebastián City Council
- Basque Country University
Tasks:
Feasibility study, consultancy and implementation of 8 Forest Therapy sessions for 3 specific groups of +55, women in foster homes and university professors with burnout syndrome.
Forest Bathing Guide Training
Inclusion and Biodiversity - ECOTUR INCA
(Colombia)
Forest Bathing Guide Training
Inclusion and Biodiversity - ECOTUR INCA
(Colombia)
Date: 2023
Project Managers at FTHub:
- Marta Battaini
- Alex Gesse
Project Partners:
- Italian Agency of Cooperation for Development
- OIKOS ONLUS, Italy
- CEVI Onlus, Italy
- South Alexander Von Humboldt Institute ISAIS, Colombia
- Municipalities of Linares, Consacà, Resguardo Indigena de Funes
Tasks:
Forest Bathing Guide Training of 40 members of Pastos or Awa Resguardos; and Peasant Communities like Sande, Piedrablanca, Santa Cruz de Guachavez, Providencia, Ricaurte and Guaitarilla in the region of Nariño, Colombia.
More information about the project here.
Forest Therapy Intervention
Roanne Day Hospital
Forest Therapy Intervention at the Roanne Day Hospital
(France)
Project managers at FTHub:
- Marta Ayats
- Alex Gesse
Project partners:
- Franck Bernigaud
Collaborators:
- Roanne Day Hospital
- Jean-Jacques Weyer
Activity:
Six-session Forest Therapy intervention for patients of the Day Hospital in Roanne, formed by a mixed group of adolescent, adult and older adult patients with various pathologies affecting both neurosis and psychosis.
Forest Bathing Guide training for the Chilean Government
Forest Bathing Guide training for the Chilean Government
Date: 2018 – present
Project managers at FTHub:
- Alex Gesse
- Claudio Vásquez
Project Partners:
- CONAF
Tasks:
Forest Bathing Guide training for 60 Park Rangers of Protected Wild Areas of the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF), Government of Chile.
Green Prescription | Nature-Based Intervention and research for victims of domestic violence (Barcelona, Spain)
Green prescription. Nature-Based Intervention and research for victims of domestic violence
(Barcelona, Spain)
Date: 2020 – present
Project managers at FTHub:
- Alex Gesse
- Marta Ayats
- Claudia Tolosa
Project Partners:
- Barcelona Regional Council
- Sant Pere de Ribes City Council
Tasks:
Implementation of Forest Bathing in the Sant Pere de Ribes “Healthy City” programme, for specific groups and the general population.
More about the project, here (in Spanish).
