Nature-Based Solutions Pilot Project

Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) use nature and ecosystems to deliver social, ecological and economic benefits, increasing biodiversity and contributing to climate change adaptation and mitigation.

NBS are solutions inspired and supported by nature and ecosystems. As opposed to purely technological solutions, NBS are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits, and help build resilience to climate change. NBS bring more nature and biodiversity to cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, systemic interventions. Examples of NBS are green roofs and green walls to cool down cities in the summer, parks to combat pollution and provide leisure and exercise to citizens, green corridors connecting natural areas, urban food gardens, etc. See examples at:

However, the educational potential of NBS remains largely unexplored, whilst innovative programmes and resources around NBS are currently missing from formal and informal education programmes for children and families. Building on scientific evidence and on experiences from NBS demonstration projects in cities, this educational pilot study will exploit recent research results to develop innovative educational programmes and resources to raise awareness of nature-based solutions (NBS) and their benefits among children, young people and their families.

The project is initiated and funded by the European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation and coordinated by PPMI, in collaboration with European Schoolnet (EUN). PPMI (www.ppmi.lt/en) is a leading European research and policy analysis centre, aiming to help public sector and civil society leaders from around the world, presenting evidence in a way that is simple, clear and ready to use. European Schoolnet (www.eun.org) is the network of 34 European Ministries of Education, based in Brussels. EUN aims to bring innovation in teaching and learning to its key stakeholders: Ministries of Education, schools, teachers, researchers, and industry partners. EUN’s task in the NBS project is to coordinate the pilot teachers.