The County of Euskirchen is a rural district in the southern part of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. It borders the state of Rhineland-Palatinate and Belgium. Spanning 1,248.73 km² with 198,967 inhabitants, the County of Euskirchen is characterised by two natural regions: the wooded Eifel in the southwest, and the fertile, mostly flat Zülpicher Börde in the northeast, part of the Lower Rhine Bay. The County consist of eleven municipalities, with Euskirchen and Mechernich being the largest towns, with populations of 60,000 and 25,000. Topographically and climatically, Euskirchen, Zülpich, and Weilerswist belong to the Zülpicher Börde, while the remaining municipalities are part of the Eifel.
Due to global warming, the County of Euskirchen faces heightened risks of extreme weather events, especially floods and droughts, owing to its specific topography and land use features. In July 2021, the region experienced a historic flood disaster, resulting in over 180 casualties, with 27 from Euskirchen. The unprecedented rainfall, up to 200 litres per square meter in 24 hours, caused flash floods and massive damage, altering cityscapes and townscapes. Despite financial support, the ongoing restoration work will take years. Beyond flooding, the County struggles with heat stress on farmland, urban areas, and forests during summers, leading to falling groundwater tables, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss. Urban areas face challenges like significantly increasing temperatures in the summer, including rising number of tropical nights (nights when the temperature does not fall below 20 °C), aggravating the "urban heat island effect," particularly affecting vulnerable groups in densely populated areas.
On Wednesday, May 14 and Thursday, May 22, the first tiny forest and climate park in Euskirchen County opened. This event marked the very first Nature-based Solution (NbS) implemented under the LAND4CLIMATE project. The inauguration ceremony welcomed local residents, officials, and project partners to witness this important step in adapting to climate change with the help of nature. This green space – made possible in cooperation with Eugebau, the municipal housing company– is more than just a park. It marks a model of how public and private stakeholders can join forces to reclaim land for the benefit of biodiversity, climate resilience, and community well-being. The climate park includes a mix of native plant habitats, all enhancing biodiversity and cooling the urban environment. Additionally, the tiny forest will transform into a thriving forest ecosystem within just a decade. This site is a living example of how nature-based solutions can shield communities from heatwaves and heavy rainfall. Importantly, it also showcases the role of private landowners as altruistic partners in shaping resilient, liveable environments.
The below video captures the opening of the first tiny forest and climate park in the County of Euskirchen.
The county of Euskirchen is promoting the renaturation of gravel gardens and parking lots with an “unsealing partnership” / Important building block for adapting to climate change. With an “unsealing partnership”, the district of Euskirchen is promoting the conversion of gravel gardens, parking lots or other sealed areas into near-natural areas. The aim is to reduce the negative effects of soil sealing, such as the risk of flooding, loss of biodiversity and the creation of heat islands. Anyone who takes part and unseals a suitable area can also look forward to substantial financial support. This is because the district finances the complete planting of the new nature island and commissions a horticultural company to do so. “In this way, we are creating an attractive incentive for citizens to transform the sealed areas back into near-natural biotopes,” says Achim Blindert, the district administrator's general representative and responsible division manager. “Converting concrete and asphalt surfaces into near-natural green spaces improves the local water balance, creates habitats for plants and animals and reduces the urban heat load.”
The planting of reed grass (Miscanthus) celebrates its premiere! The first reed grass area was planted in the Euskirchen district on May 2025..
Why are we promoting the cultivation of reed grass (Miscanthus)?
Fast growth (up to 5 cm per day) and low requirements, fertilization is not necessary
Residents and private landowners in the county of Euskirchen can actively participate in LAND4CLIMATE through citizen surveys, workshops, and face-to-face meetings. The county is committed to ensuring a high level of engagement by seeking input on the perception and acceptance of climate adaptation measures. Farmers will be directly involved through meetings to present and coordinate climate adaptation concepts. Workshops and interactive formats are being developed for broader community participation. Regular updates on the status of climate adaptation measures will be shared through social networks to keep all stakeholders, including locals and private landowners, informed and engaged in the process.
