Nature-Based Psychosocial Interventions: Bringing Together Initiatives for a More Connected City

On 6 November 2025, the RECETAS project team in Marseille brought together professionals from the fields of health, social work, sport, environment and biodiversity, as well as researchers, urban planners, and local stakeholders, to highlight the role of nature-based psychosocial interventions (NbPSIs) in tackling urban loneliness and fostering collective well-being.

Representing a wide range of initiatives from Marseille and its surrounding region, the event aimed to bridge research and local action around a shared vision of healthier, more connected urban communities.
In Marseille, where inequalities in access to green spaces remain significant, the European project RECETAS explores how nature can serve as a practical tool for social connection and mental health in urban environments.

An event to connect and collaborate

The half-day event combined expert presentations, interactive discussions, and collaborative workshops.

Key speakers included:

  • Loïs Giraud, Director of the One Health / Global Health Mission, City of Marseille, who emphasized the connection to living systems as a cornerstone of integrated health.

  • Lucie Cattaneo, social health psychologist (AP-HM), who shared early results from the RECETAS pilot study in Marseille, highlighting the benefits of group nature activities.

  • Marianne Martin, from AViTEM, who presented inspiring models of social prescribing from France and abroad.

  • Juliette Zimmermann, general practitioner, who offered the practitioner’s perspective on the opportunities and challenges of nature prescribing in France.

Building a shared roadmap

Two main themes guided the collaborative workshops:

  • Towards structural funding for NbPSIs: how can these initiatives be sustained and supported by international economic models?

  • Towards shared governance in the Bouches-du-Rhône area: what organizational structures and leadership are needed to scale up their impact?

The discussions underscored the need for a coordinated strategy connecting stakeholders from health, biodiversity, social cohesion, and urban planning.

Beyond the rich exchanges, this event marked a key milestone in creating a network united by a common goal: building cities where nature becomes a driver of social connection and public health.

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