Cross-border solutions for pollen allergy and sustainable urban development launched in the PollenCare project
Interreg VI-A Austria-HungaryThe PollenCare project, co-funded by the Interreg AT–HU programme, recently kicked off in Austria with strong interest from Austrian and Hungarian stakeholders. The project aims to deliver scientifically based, cross-border solutions to reduce the burden of pollen allergy in local communities. The opening event, held on 3 December 2025, brought together representatives from professional organisations, municipalities and authorities to discuss how environmental health aspects can be better integrated into urban green planning.
The project’s primary goal is to reduce allergy-related disease burden through the thoughtful design and management of urban green spaces, while also supporting climate adaptation, enhancing city attractiveness and promoting health-conscious horticulture practices. Experts highlighted that environmental health protection and climate resilience require science-based, regional and cross-sectoral cooperation.
Magyar Donát, the project’s scientific coordinator, drew attention to the growing prevalence of allergic diseases across Europe, driven by longer pollen seasons and the spread of new allergenic plant species. He explained that the PollenCare approach will gradually reduce allergenic plants in urban environments, encouraging nurseries and garden centres to adapt their supply and develop low-pollen varieties. Uwe Berger, representing the Austrian project partners, underlined the importance of cross-border knowledge exchange, stressing that only joint action can ensure that innovative solutions reach municipalities on both sides of the border.
Innovative tools, including AI-based developments and mobile applications, were also presented to support allergy sufferers with personalised information. From 2026 onwards, pilot municipalities will benefit from hourly updated allergy risk forecasts and real-time pollen data to support greener, allergy-friendly urban development decisions, complemented by targeted training and expert guidance.
The project further includes a demonstration garden in Sopron, where visitors can learn about allergen-free plants and low-pollen horticultural techniques. Overall, the PollenCare initiative demonstrates how cross-border cooperation can improve public health, foster sustainable urban development and protect environmental values at the same time.
PollenCare KI Chatbot: https://www.polleninformation.at/services/pollencare
