Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NetworkNaturePLUS (NetworkNature+ - Scaling up nature-based solutions to achieve 2030 policy goals)
Reporting period: 2023-08-01 to 2025-01-31
NbS are essential for tackling the multiple crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, while supporting societal well-being, disaster risk reduction, and regenerative economic activity. However, the full potential of NbS remains underutilised due to persistent challenges in knowledge integration, policy coherence, financing, capacity, and cross-sectoral engagement.
NN+ builds on the legacy of NetworkNature as a European 'network of networks' to overcome these barriers and unlock the systemic uptake of NbS. It does so by enhancing the EU’s central NbS knowledge and impact platform, supporting coordination, evidence sharing, capacity building, and strategic engagement across science, policy, practice, and society. The project aligns closely with the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, the European Green Deal, and international goals such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
At its core, NN+ aims to:
• Strengthen the governance and long-term sustainability of the NbS platform, guided by transparent, inclusive, and strategic coordination mechanisms;
• Consolidate and expand the digital platform, including enhanced tools for collaboration, clustering, and dissemination of EU-funded NbS project outputs;
• Update the EU NbS R&I Roadmap, informed by new evidence, gap analyses, and stakeholder dialogues, providing a shared strategic framework to guide research and implementation efforts;
• Support NbS investment and market uptake, particularly by mobilising business and finance communities, developing metrics, standards, and actionable knowledge products;
• Develop tailored capacity-building programmes and learning tools, strengthening upskilling efforts and broadening participation through education and creative engagement;
• Facilitate policy integration of NbS, producing policy-relevant knowledge, good practice examples, and tools that support EU 2030 objectives;
• Ensure targeted communication and outreach, connecting key messages with diverse audiences and preparing the ground for a self-sustaining, impactful platform beyond the project's end.
The expected impacts include:
• A more connected and capable NbS community of practice across Europe;
• Increased investment in high-quality, biodiversity-positive NbS;
• Greater policy coherence and institutional integration of NbS at all governance levels;
• Tangible contributions to the EU’s climate, biodiversity, and sustainability targets;
• Stronger European leadership in global NbS discourse through partnerships with international bodies such as IPBES, UNCBD, UNFCCC, and UNEP.
NN+ builds on the legacy of NetworkNature as a European 'network of networks' to overcome these barriers and unlock the systemic uptake of NbS. It does so by enhancing the EU’s central NbS knowledge and impact platform, supporting coordination, evidence sharing, capacity building, and strategic engagement across science, policy, practice, and society. The project aligns closely with the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, the European Green Deal, and international goals such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
At its core, NN+ aims to:
• Strengthen the governance and long-term sustainability of the NbS platform, guided by transparent, inclusive, and strategic coordination mechanisms;
• Consolidate and expand the digital platform, including enhanced tools for collaboration, clustering, and dissemination of EU-funded NbS project outputs;
• Update the EU NbS R&I Roadmap, informed by new evidence, gap analyses, and stakeholder dialogues, providing a shared strategic framework to guide research and implementation efforts;
• Support NbS investment and market uptake, particularly by mobilising business and finance communities, developing metrics, standards, and actionable knowledge products;
• Develop tailored capacity-building programmes and learning tools, strengthening upskilling efforts and broadening participation through education and creative engagement;
• Facilitate policy integration of NbS, producing policy-relevant knowledge, good practice examples, and tools that support EU 2030 objectives;
• Ensure targeted communication and outreach, connecting key messages with diverse audiences and preparing the ground for a self-sustaining, impactful platform beyond the project's end.
The expected impacts include:
• A more connected and capable NbS community of practice across Europe;
• Increased investment in high-quality, biodiversity-positive NbS;
• Greater policy coherence and institutional integration of NbS at all governance levels;
• Tangible contributions to the EU’s climate, biodiversity, and sustainability targets;
• Stronger European leadership in global NbS discourse through partnerships with international bodies such as IPBES, UNCBD, UNFCCC, and UNEP.
WP1 – Platform Governance & Project Management (ICLEI):
WP1 established governance structures, including the NbS Project Board, coordinating six NbS Task Forces and launching NetworkNature Labs. Key outputs included a Quality and Risk Management Plan and preparation for long-term platform sustainability.
WP2 – Website Enhancement (OPPLA):
WP2 improved the NN+ platform’s usability with a redesign and backend upgrades. Key additions included the Network Map of NbS Projects and the Key Facts Database, and the onboarding of 23 EU projects.
WP3 – Mobilising Evidence for Policy (FRB):
WP3 updated the EU NbS R&I Database, mapped new projects, and produced a curated collection of NbS facts. It also finalized the EU R&I Roadmap and worked on tools for monitoring NbS impacts on biodiversity and climate adaptation.
WP4 – NbS Financing & Business Models (UNEP-WCMC):
WP4 focused on NbS financing, mapping 78 EU projects and developing a finance guide. It relaunched the NbS Business Forum and introduced peer-to-peer investment roundtables.
WP5 – Capacity Building for NbS (IUCN):
WP5 developed a Capacity Building Strategy and launched training for NbS multipliers. It facilitated Task Force 6 on co-creation, advanced NbS standards, and hosted events like the TNOC Festival.
WP6 – Policy Integration for the European Green Deal (IEEP):
WP6 mapped EU and international policy frameworks, produced a policy report, and developed tools to showcase good practices. It organized science-policy dialogues and began developing NbS products for policy gaps.
WP7 – Knowledge Dissemination (ICLEI):
WP7 coordinated communication activities, including high-level events and campaigns like #NbSFacts. It laid the groundwork for long-term exploitation and IP management.
WP1 established governance structures, including the NbS Project Board, coordinating six NbS Task Forces and launching NetworkNature Labs. Key outputs included a Quality and Risk Management Plan and preparation for long-term platform sustainability.
WP2 – Website Enhancement (OPPLA):
WP2 improved the NN+ platform’s usability with a redesign and backend upgrades. Key additions included the Network Map of NbS Projects and the Key Facts Database, and the onboarding of 23 EU projects.
WP3 – Mobilising Evidence for Policy (FRB):
WP3 updated the EU NbS R&I Database, mapped new projects, and produced a curated collection of NbS facts. It also finalized the EU R&I Roadmap and worked on tools for monitoring NbS impacts on biodiversity and climate adaptation.
WP4 – NbS Financing & Business Models (UNEP-WCMC):
WP4 focused on NbS financing, mapping 78 EU projects and developing a finance guide. It relaunched the NbS Business Forum and introduced peer-to-peer investment roundtables.
WP5 – Capacity Building for NbS (IUCN):
WP5 developed a Capacity Building Strategy and launched training for NbS multipliers. It facilitated Task Force 6 on co-creation, advanced NbS standards, and hosted events like the TNOC Festival.
WP6 – Policy Integration for the European Green Deal (IEEP):
WP6 mapped EU and international policy frameworks, produced a policy report, and developed tools to showcase good practices. It organized science-policy dialogues and began developing NbS products for policy gaps.
WP7 – Knowledge Dissemination (ICLEI):
WP7 coordinated communication activities, including high-level events and campaigns like #NbSFacts. It laid the groundwork for long-term exploitation and IP management.
NN+ has made significant technical and scientific progress, establishing itself as a key enabler of evidence-based, finance-ready, and policy-aligned NbS across Europe. Key achievements and impacts include:
Upgraded Digital Platform: NN+ enhanced its platform for better knowledge integration and stakeholder engagement, improving access and discoverability of NbS resources. Ongoing investment, content curation, and stronger partner engagement are essential for long-term sustainability.
Strategic Knowledge Gap Mapping: NN+ developed methods to identify NbS knowledge gaps, feeding into the EU NbS R&I Roadmap. This ensures better alignment of research with policy and practice needs, requiring regular updates and wider use by funding bodies.
NbS Finance-Readiness: NN+ mapped NbS financing models, launching the NbS Business Forum and investor roundtables. This has increased investor confidence and alignment with financing instruments, but successful models and integration with financial networks are needed for sustainability.
Scalable Capacity-Building Systems: NN+ piloted creative programs in education, government, and business to broaden adoption and understanding of NbS. Continued development of modular, up-to-date content and partnerships with educational institutions is needed for ongoing growth.
Policy Tools and Science-Policy Dialogues: NN+ mapped EU and international policies, initiating dialogues on NbS themes. This has improved policy coherence, but wider uptake of policy tools by national and regional institutions is required for full impact.
Multi-Channel Communication Strategy: NN+ launched campaigns like #NbSFacts to enhance visibility and engagement across sectors. Sustained investment in tailored content and better coordination among EU initiatives is crucial for long-term dissemination.
Upgraded Digital Platform: NN+ enhanced its platform for better knowledge integration and stakeholder engagement, improving access and discoverability of NbS resources. Ongoing investment, content curation, and stronger partner engagement are essential for long-term sustainability.
Strategic Knowledge Gap Mapping: NN+ developed methods to identify NbS knowledge gaps, feeding into the EU NbS R&I Roadmap. This ensures better alignment of research with policy and practice needs, requiring regular updates and wider use by funding bodies.
NbS Finance-Readiness: NN+ mapped NbS financing models, launching the NbS Business Forum and investor roundtables. This has increased investor confidence and alignment with financing instruments, but successful models and integration with financial networks are needed for sustainability.
Scalable Capacity-Building Systems: NN+ piloted creative programs in education, government, and business to broaden adoption and understanding of NbS. Continued development of modular, up-to-date content and partnerships with educational institutions is needed for ongoing growth.
Policy Tools and Science-Policy Dialogues: NN+ mapped EU and international policies, initiating dialogues on NbS themes. This has improved policy coherence, but wider uptake of policy tools by national and regional institutions is required for full impact.
Multi-Channel Communication Strategy: NN+ launched campaigns like #NbSFacts to enhance visibility and engagement across sectors. Sustained investment in tailored content and better coordination among EU initiatives is crucial for long-term dissemination.