News

Highlighting community-driven Nature-Based Solutions at CLEVER Cities conference


28 September 2023


Highlighting community-driven Nature-Based Solutions at CLEVER Cities conference

The NBS EduWORLD project was honored to participate in the "Nature in the City - Advancing Social Impact through Nature-based Solutions" conference, hosted by the CLEVER Cities project. This event gathered a diverse array of EU projects at various stages, aiming to discuss the practicalities and challenges of co-creating nature-based solutions (NBS) through community engagement.

The conference focused on identifying the enablers and barriers of implementing community-driven NBS by drawing on real-life examples from around the globe. NBS are increasingly recognised for their potential to address urban challenges while fostering environmental and social benefits. Central to this approach is the concept of co-creation, which integrates citizens in the decision-making process, enhancing social acceptance and ensuring the sustainability of NBS initiatives.

Representing NBS EduWORLD, Thalia Tsaknia from Ellinogermaniki Agogi participated in a session dedicated to the various methods and tools available to enhance stakeholder engagement. Her presentation highlighted the importance of inclusivity, particularly in engaging vulnerable and local communities, to achieve a shared governance model that supports effective NBS implementation.

During her session, Thalia explored the adaptive transformation of collaborative governance structures within different living labs. She emphasized that each living lab's unique context necessitates tailored approaches to co-creation. A key focus was how planned project pathways evolve over time, particularly in educational settings like schools, and how these changes impact the implementation and success of living labs.

One of the significant insights shared by Tsaknia was the role of inclusive governance within school contexts. Schools, as living labs, present unique challenges and opportunities for implementing NBS. Tsaknia illustrated how inclusive governance models in schools can foster a sense of ownership among students, staff, and the community, driving successful and sustained NBS outcomes.

The conference underscored the necessity of adaptable, community-driven approaches to NBS, with a clear takeaway that inclusive co-creation is crucial for the long-term success and acceptance of these solutions. NBS EduWORLD's active participation highlighted its commitment to advancing knowledge and practice in this field, contributing valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on effective NBS implementation.


Image (Ellinogermaniki Agogi)


All news
European Union

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.