**5. Discussion**

The two projects presented above can be implemented in any academic community and in time they will both have a genuine environmental impact by generating a lower amount of carbon.

Such projects can also lead to improved sustainability thanks to the high level of productivity resulting from the good communication among all the individuals involved in volunteering projects in a micro academic environment.

The project costs are relatively low and they could be covered from either private or public funding.

In our case, the costs for building the vertical garden are of approximately 2760 euros, while those for the urban garden amount to about 9000 euros (to be spent over a three-year implementation period), as can be seen in Tables 1 and 2 below:


**Table 1.** The costs of building a 100 square meter green facade.

Source: personal analysis of data collected from retail websites.




**Table 2.** *Cont.*

Source: personal calculation by example budget form "Cres,tem Grădinescu" [46].

For this type of project, the financing can be external, both from the public and the private sector, as follows:

#### A. The Environmental Fund

According to Romanian legislation (Law no. 105/2006), projects that provide for the reduction of noise pollution in the urban environment, the management and use of clean technologies (thus creating an environment conducive to the conservation of biodiversity), reducing the impact of pollution on air, water and soil and reducing greenhouse gases (i.e., including carbon released into the atmosphere) are eligible for funding of up to 100,000 euros.

#### B. Private funds

From the private sector, the support for such projects includes the financing through the project entitled "Cres,tem Grădinescu—finan¸tare pentru grădini ¸si ferme urbane" (maximum 130,000 euros).

The projects proposed in this paper meet the budget requirements set by both entities. However, the second financing option was selected because besides the financial support, the financing project team also provides coordination and assistance throughout the project (Table 2 [46]).

Civil involvement in these types of projects is essential, because the power of the example of some volunteer activities with an ecological character specific to a healthy lifestyle with a progressive perspective is much higher than that of motivational speeches.

Implementing such a project within the Bucharest University of Economic Studies is meant to support the practical aspect of education and to establish information and awareness-raising campaigns that combine practice with theory. Additionally, collaboration between the educational actors is also desired, both inside and outside the university. Access to local products will be greatly facilitated in this context, as BUES canteens can reduce their expenses in the medium and long term, and the community of this institution will enjoy local products.

The social and economic impact will consist of encouraging new segments of the agriculture and environment sectors to apply contemporary innovations, relying on the feeling of community.

Debt and fines (if any), interest or penalties, costs of leasing, renting, or awarding cash prizes are included in the ineligible expenses area.

For eligibility it is necessary to participate in teams of at least three people, thus encouraging collaboration rather than competitiveness.

The implementation of this project is intended to bring about a change in the perception of living in a European capital, often considered as crowded and suffocating. The increase of green spaces, of urban gardens and farms, psychologically supports the human connection with nature, minimizing the effect of "robotic life", establishing a new social architecture and ensuring that the environment is also included.

#### **6. Conclusions**

Reducing the carbon footprint in order to meet the optimal values of the sustainability standards can be done through small actions that are also economically effective and are not intended exclusively for a specific type of building. Implementing concrete actions in a university campus can be a new way of approaching the world today and it should become part of the students' education for achieving higher living standards and sustainability.

Opting for urban gardens or for vegetable envelopment brings many benefits to humanity, but it also restores the human–nature balance. The aspect of birds abandoning the urban environment or their early death must also be taken into account. This phenomenon is caused by birds colliding with the multitude of buildings, as they do not have the ability to perceive transparent surfaces, therefore producing another imbalance in the biodiversity, which can be reconciled through solutions like the ones proposed in this paper. They allow the comfort of life in the city for both humans and animals.

While a wall made of brick or covered with polystyrene (considered cancerous by researchers) favors the suspension of particles and microorganisms in the air, buildings enveloped in vegetation retain and recycle dust and carbon dioxide, thus giving an example of ecological regeneration.

On a large scale, if these proposals were adopted, not only would the aesthetics and the air in the building change, but also the perception of people about the workplace, the city and life, since nature induces a state of calm, relaxation and hope. On the other hand, a space dominated by concrete is perfect for generating anxiety.

Reorientation towards the traditional values, natural capital and local food leads to a healthy life. At the same time, this type of insulation offers an alternative recreational space through its texture and brightness.

Turning to renewable energy represents a step forward in the contemporary society, a step that ensures progress. The dispersal of the society and the individualization were the precursors of the Revolution of 1989, and the community spirit had to suffer. It can be saved by volunteering, especially as presented in this paper, which unites both the people in the academic community and those outside it. The Bucharest University of Economic Studies can again serve as an example for Romania from a perspective that shows thoughtfulness for the environment, students, teachers and life in general.

In conclusion, this paper has illustrated how easy it is to make a change with a minimal investment, provided there is dedication and interest. Our society needs to take action in this crucial moment when the resources and quality of life can still be saved. In the absence of a responsible attitude associated with this sensitive point in the history of society, the future generations will have to suffer since they will have no alternative option.

**Author Contributions:** Conceptualization, S.R.P., M.D., C.N. and R.C.; Data curation, S.R.P. and R.C.; Formal analysis, S.R.P., M.D., C.N., and R.C.; Investigation, S.R.P., C.N. and R.C.; Methodology, S.R.P., C.N. and M.D.; Project administration, S.R.P. and M.D.; Resources, S.R.P. and M.D.; Software, S.R.P. and R.C.; Supervision, S.R.P., C.N. and M.D.; Validation, S.R.P. and R.C.; Visualization, M.D. and R.C.; Writing—original draft, R.C.; Writing—review & editing, S.R.P., M.D., C.N. and R.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** This research received no external funding.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.
