Connecting Research, Policy, and Practice: CARDIMED at NetworkNature 2025

On 16–17 September 2025, CARDIMED took part in the NetworkNature Annual Event, held in Brussels, Belgium. This annual gathering has become a cornerstone for the European Nature-based Solutions (NbS) community, bringing together researchers, policymakers, businesses, and civil society to explore how NbS can shape a more sustainable and resilient Europe.

CARDIMED was proudly represented by Alexandra Tsatsou and Erich Wolff (Utrecht University), who contributed to the exchanges across both the Annual Event (16 September) and the NbS Task Forces Cluster Meeting (17 September).

Day 1: Choose Nature

The opening day, under the theme “Choose Nature: Unlocking pathways to a resilient economy for people and planet”, highlighted the transformative role of NbS in enabling resilient economies, green innovation, and just transitions. Sessions featured high-level interventions from the European Commission, leading research organisations, and practitioners working on the ground.

Participants explored how NbS are not only critical to climate adaptation and biodiversity protection but also catalysts for new skills, jobs, and partnerships across sectors. For CARDIMED, this was a unique opportunity to position Mediterranean experiences within the broader European NbS policy landscape.

Day 2: Shaping the Future of NbS

The second day focused on the NbS Task Forces and Hubs, which work collectively to measure impact, standardise approaches, and co-develop NetworkNature Labs ideas. CARDIMED actively engaged in these discussions, contributing its perspective on monitoring, scaling, and mainstreaming NbS across diverse Mediterranean contexts.

It was also the right moment to introduce NURISH, CARDIMED’s upcoming sister project, which will extend the mission of demonstrating transformative NbS into rural regions across Europe. This marks an important step in building synergies between projects and ensuring continuity of knowledge and innovation beyond the lifetime of CARDIMED.

The event reaffirmed the strength of the European NbS community and the importance of collaborative spaces such as NetworkNature. CARDIMED leaves Brussels with renewed energy, strong alliances, and the shared commitment to continue bridging research, policy, and practice to foster resilience across the Mediterranean and beyond.