NBS Academy: A European Academy for integrating Nature-based Solutions (NBS) in teacher education

Description

NBS Academy sets to create a European Community of Practice (CoP) of teacher education and training providers, teachers, policy makers and other education experts, focused on developing and testing new professional learning programmes for improving teachers’ competences on Education for Environmental Sustainability by utilising nature-based solutions (NBS).

Innovative ITE (Initial Teacher Education) and CPD (Continuing Professional Development) programmes will be developed and pilot implemented in six different countries, covering different geographical, cultural and linguistic areas of the EU. The cultural diversity and multilingualism will be celebrated by implementing the training programmes via a blended mobility approach (including a Summer School, as well as distance VR mobility training).

Following the training programmes implementation, NBS Academy will evaluate and validate its results and utilize its extensive dissemination network to raise awareness among education professionals on the benefits of NBS Education, as well as on the internationalization of teacher education. By following the principles of CoP to sustain long-term active collaboration and organic growth of our network (also via synergies with existing related initiatives) and by utilising the strong profile of the organisations in our consortium, NBS Academy will impact the quality of teacher education in Europe and inform European and national policies.

What are Nature-Based Solutions (NBS)? NBS are solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions. Nature-Based Solutions must therefore benefit biodiversity and support the delivery of a range of ecosystem services. Source: European Commission.

Co-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 Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.