SMURF’s Cascade Funding Stories campaign is here! Starting this February, we’re launching a series to showcase the inspiring journeys of associations funded through the first SMURF Cascade Funding Call. From Austria to Sweden, Greece to Spain, each association has its own unique story—challenges faced, achievements earned, and communities impacted.
The goal of the campaign is simple: bring the people and initiatives behind sustainable forest and land management to the forefront, highlighting how innovation, collaboration, and commitment to local territories are creating real environmental and social impact.
Why the Cascade Funding Stories Matter
The Cascade Funding Stories aim to:
Raise awareness of sustainable management practices and their benefits.
Showcase the role of local associations in preserving biodiversity, revitalising rural economies, and enhancing community resilience.
Share lessons and best practices across countries, inspiring other initiatives to scale up or replicate successful models.
Through monthly videos, interviews, and stories, the campaign will explore the diversity of European landscapes and the dedicated people who care for them.
Spain Kicks Off the Series
This year, Spain is the first country featured in the series, highlighting the efforts of three outstanding associations that won the first SMURF Cascade Funding Call. These associations demonstrate how local ownership and sustainable practices can generate real impact for communities and the environment.
Community of Landowners of Baldíos Ocejón – Valverde de los Arroyos, Guadalajara
Nestled in the Sierra Norte of Guadalajara, this community focuses on sustainable forest management, with FSC certification ensuring environmental and social responsibility. Their work protects biodiversity while supporting local economic development through responsible natural resource management, ecological initiatives, and collaboration with local communities and businesses.
🔗 Learn more about Community of Landowners of Baldíos Ocejón: https://cpvalverde.com/about/
Montnegre and El Corredor Landowners’ Association (APMC) – Catalonia
Founded in 1992, the APMC unites local forest owners to promote sustainable management, climate adaptation, fire prevention, and silvopastoral practices. The association enhances local products, safeguards landscapes, and revitalises forest estates, creating benefits for both landowners and visitors alike.
🔗 Learn more about Montnegre and El Corredor Landowners’ Association (APMC) – Catalonia: Inicio – Associació de propietaris del Montnegre i el Corredor
ProUmbrías – Umbrías, Ávila, Gredos
ProUmbrías is a non-profit association of more than 400 landowners, managing 82% of the municipality’s private land (over 700 Ha). Since its foundation in 2009, the association has worked to manage fragmented rural properties in a joint and sustainable way, collaborating with farmers, local authorities, and the community. Their efforts have:
Improved land use without new infrastructure.
Reduced fire risk.
Supported livestock activity and rural population stability.
Earned national recognition, including awards from CONAMA 2010 and the Castilla y León regional government.
🔗 Learn more about ProUmbrías: http://proumbrias.es/
What’s Next
This is just the beginning. Throughout February, the campaign will feature other funded associations from across Europe, sharing their stories through videos, interviews, and articles. Each story highlights the creativity, dedication, and impact of local initiatives driving sustainable forest and land management.
Stay tuned to discover how these projects are shaping their communities and the environment, and celebrate the people making a real difference on the ground.
💡 Innovation, collaboration, and impact—these are the heart of the Cascade Funding Stories.