The activities carried out have included training and networking events aimed at building up the research capacity and at promoting research excellence in the field of nature-based solutions. During the first reporting period, the ReNature team has organised two training courses, held in Paola (Malta) and Dublin (Ireland). These training courses have included the participation of MCAST staff and stakeholders working in Malta. Expert visits were held by MCAST and the research-intensive partners. A postgraduate module with title ‘Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Nature-Based Solutions’, accredited by MCAST at 18 ECTS at Masters level, was developed and has been delivered to MCAST staff. The Renaturing Cities: Interdisciplinary Summer School (2 ECTS) has aimed to provide participants with an understanding of the features and potential of nature-based solutions in the context of a holistic approach towards landscape sustainability.
ReNature has carried out a collaborative, multi-stakeholder exercise to identify priority knowledge needs that could enhance the uptake of NBS in Mediterranean islands. We used a well-established iterative prioritisation method based on a modified Delphi process to minimise bias. We identified 47 priority resulting knowledge needs in rank order, classified according to whether they can be addressed by knowledge synthesis and further research, or demand action in policy and practice.
During the second reporting period, the ReNature team has organised three training courses, held in Paola (Malta), Trento (Italy), and a virtual event due to the COVID-19 emergency. These training courses have included the participation of MCAST staff and stakeholders working in Malta. The ReNature 3rd Training Course was held in Trento, and the theme was “Nature-based Solutions in Urban Planning”. The ReNature 4th Training Course was held at MCAST and has included presentations on topics relating to nature-based solutions in rural landscapes. The ReNature 5th Training Course was held online via Zoom and livestreamed on YouTube, has focused on nature-based solutions and the science-policy interface. All courses have included a strong practical element and have included the use of technology (e.g. drone usage), group work to facilitate interactions, and field visits. The Second ReNature Interdisciplinary Training School (Summer School), with title “Planning Nature-based Solutions in Cities”, was converted to a virtual event due to the COVID-19 emergency and was attended by 38 students.
Through consultation with stakeholders, we have developed a ReNature NBS Compendium and Toolkit that is openly available online. The compendium shares good practices and experiences from the implementation of NBS around the Mediterranean region. It includes 42 entries from Malta, and 53 case studies in connection with the Mediterranean climate. The tasks carried out during the first periodic review period have allowed us to identify the knowledge gaps and the research needs in the NBS sector. During the second periodic review period, we have identified barriers preventing wider implementation of NBS in Mediterranean islands. We have developed a strategic research agenda to establish long-term research collaboration opportunities that extend beyond the duration of the ReNature project.
