A collaborative learning tool to explore, understand and promote Nature-based Solutions (NbS)

for climate adaptation and resilience.

Created by IID-SII and validated by NetworkNature, the NbS Fresco* is an awareness-raising, interactive, collaborative and educational workshop that informs individuals on what Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are and what their various benefits consist of. Participants are divided into groups and work together to sort and place visual cards representing NbS and their benefits on a visual fresco in a canvas format, thereby fostering collective intelligence and emotional engagement.

The content of the NbS Fresco will be supported by the NBRACER project and will be led by trained NBRACER facilitators.

*License: Creative Commons BY-NC-ND (Open-Access)

The story behind the NbS Fresco

As the climate crisis deepens, attention and interest toward Nature-based Solutions (NbS) is increasing. The European Commission (EC) defines NbS as « solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience ». As a matter of fact, the EC recognises the importance of NbS via its climate and biodiversity policies, actively funding reseach, supporting pilot projects, and integrating NbS into frameworks like the European Green Deal and the EU Biodiversity Strategy.

NbS are powerful because they tackle multiple crises at once: climate change, biodiversity loss, and even human well-being. But here’s the problem: most people don’t really know what NbS are, how they work, or how effective they can be.

NbS are still often perceived as sounding vague, or are seen as “nice-to-have” green extras, and not core nature-positive, long-term, sustainable climate strategies. Meanwhile, policymakers, businesses, and even environmentalists struggle to explain or advocate for them clearly. This means that the scientific back-up on NbS benefits exists, but there is no real, concrete, accessible, engaging way to help everyday people make sense of it.

The NbS Fresco not only empowers people to understand the science and systems behind NbS as well as recognise their benefits, but also to build a sense of hope and connection to nature (work with it – not against it) in the face of today’s complex environmental challenges.

Be part of the NbS Fresco journey!

Discover the power of working with nature – not against it