Learning Units
The NBS EduWORLD Learning Units page offers a comprehensive and flexible suite of resources designed to integrate Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) into higher education and professional training. With 50 curated Learning Units, this platform supports educators, students, and practitioners at all levels—undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), doctoral (PhD), vocational, and entrepreneurial.
Covering a broad spectrum of themes and contexts, the Learning Units are structured around key educational streams:
- Common Core Units introduce foundational NBS concepts, such as ecosystem services, biodiversity, and the SDGs.
- 3rd Level Units target university-level learners, with a focus on implementation, policy, social inclusion, and future urban development.
- Entrepreneurial Units support learners exploring nature-based enterprises, business models, green finance, and sector-specific NBS opportunities.
- Vocational Units are tailored for practical skills development, project management, policy engagement, and multi-level governance.
- Case Studies and Workshops offer real-world applications and participatory methods from NBS EduWORLD demonstrator sites across Europe.
Each unit is aligned with European Qualification Framework (EQF) levels, ranging from Level 6 to Level 8, ensuring academic relevance and adaptability.
These Learning Units are editable and adaptable, supporting custom integration into curricula, practice-oriented, blending theory with applied learning, and geographically diverse, reflecting urban, rural, and coastal NBS contexts.
Download the full list of Learning Units
Whether you're a lecturer seeking ready-to-use teaching materials, a student exploring sustainability, or a professional upskilling in green innovation, the NBS EduWORLD Learning Units offer a unique, user-friendly gateway into nature-based thinking and action.
Search results ( 1 - 5 of 41 )
"What is a Nature-Based Enterprise?"
All humans and all businesses need a healthy planet to survive and prosper. However, the steep decline in nature and biodiversity, intertwined with the climate and pollution crisis, are resulting in the increased frequency and severity of natural disasters with devastating impacts for nature and society. This learning unit sets the context for transformative change explaining how transforming businesses and economic systems to work with, and for, nature can help to reverse these negative trends. In this unit, participants will learn about nature-based solutions and nature-based enterprises and various initiatives supporting businesses in this transition. Participants will reflect and analyse the mission of their business (or idea) and consider their alignment with nature-based solutions, nature-based enteprises in the context of the wider economy. They will learn about and be invited to engage with new initiatives for businesses in the nature-positive economy.
Find here the editable version and the teaching note.
Educational Level: Professional
Language: English
Organisation: Horizon Nua
Applied Learning Seminar II: Prioritise, Commit and Plan NBS
An introduction to prioritise, plan and commit steps of the UbN capacity building programme. The focus of this learning unit is to make the target audience to actively think about the co-creation aspects relevant for NbS and give an overview of challenges associated with getting commitment from stakeholders for NbS implementation and how to tackle them.
Find here the editable version and the teaching note.
Educational Level: Professional
Language: English
Organisation: ICLEI
Applied Learning Seminar V: Upscale NBS
This LU provides a Brief dive into the world of Upscaling and elaborates the differences between the different scaling methods used, scaling out and scaling deep for example. The unit is meant to shine light on the UbN Step 7 on Upscaling for local governments as well as regional entities to think of ways on how to upscale NbS and what to consider when doing so. The role of standards is also highlighted here.
Find here the editable version and the teaching note.
Educational Level: Higher Education
Language: English
Organisation: ICLEI
Business Models for Nature-Based Enterprises
Like any business, nature-based enterprises need to have a business model to survive and thrive. In this lesson, nature-based enterprises are introduced to the concept of business models and the business model canvas as a tool for strategic management and planning. Different business model tools are introduced for different types of businesses. Participants will reflect and analyse which business model canvas is most appropriate to apply to their business. They will apply learning directly to their own business context considering value propositions, beneficiary and customer perspectives and developing ideas for revenue generation.
Find here the editable version and the teaching note.
Educational Level: Professional
Language: English
Organisation: Horizon Nua
Business Models for Nature-based Enterprises: PART II
This learning unit is a continuation of the previous unit on business models and the business model canvas. Participants will be reminded of the different types of BMC tools available and given a deep dive into the bottom segment of the business model canvas - capturing value, cost structure and cost reduction. They will apply these learnings directly to their own business context and finalise their business model canvas template.
Find here the editable version and the teaching note.
Educational Level: Professional
Language: English
Organisation: Horizon Nua
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