EIGEN VERMOGEN VAN HET INSTITUUT VOOR NATUUR- EN BOSONDERZOEK

Their core work

EV INBO is the research funding body of Belgium's Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), a government research centre focused on biodiversity, ecosystems, and evidence-based nature management. Their core work spans ecosystem assessment and natural capital accounting, agri-environmental policy design, and sustainable hydropower — always at the intersection of ecological science and practical governance. They bring strong capabilities in translating ecological data into policy-relevant indicators and decision-support tools, serving both national conservation needs and EU-wide environmental research infrastructure.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their earlier H2020 work (2016–2018), INBO focused on hydropower ecology, natural capital accounting, and the foundational science of ecosystem valuation — projects like FIThydro and MAIA. From 2019 onward, their portfolio shifted markedly toward applied environmental governance: agricultural soil management, urban ecosystem restoration, nature-based solutions for cities, and international development cooperation (Central Asia, Latin America). This evolution shows a move from measuring and valuing nature toward actively designing interventions and policy instruments that protect it.

INBO is moving from pure ecological research toward applied urban and agricultural solutions with increasing global reach — expect future work in nature-based policy instruments and international environmental cooperation.

How they like to work

INBO operates exclusively as a contributing partner — they have never coordinated an H2020 project, preferring to bring specialist ecological expertise into larger consortia. With 174 unique partners across 37 countries, they maintain an exceptionally broad network for an organization of their funding scale, suggesting they are a sought-after knowledge partner rather than a project driver. Their consistent participation in multi-partner Research and Innovation Actions indicates comfort working in large, diverse teams where they fill a specific scientific niche.

An extensive network of 174 partners across 37 countries — remarkably broad for a mid-sized research institute, reflecting their role as a trusted ecological expertise provider across diverse European and international consortia.

What sets them apart

INBO occupies a rare niche as a government-backed nature research institute that bridges ecological science with practical policy and infrastructure design. Unlike university groups that publish and move on, INBO's mandate to support Belgian nature policy means their research is always grounded in real-world implementation. Their combination of aquatic ecology, natural capital accounting, and agri-environmental contract expertise is uncommon and valuable for any consortium needing credible, policy-connected environmental science.

Highlights from their portfolio

• Contracts2.0
  Their largest funded project (EUR 431K), directly co-designing new agri-environmental contract models — the clearest expression of their policy-science integration strength.
• INTERLACE
  Significant funding (EUR 362K) for urban ecosystem restoration connecting EU and Latin American cities, showing their expanding geographic and thematic reach.
• Hydro4U
  Demonstrates global reach with sustainable hydropower deployment in Central Asia, combining their aquatic ecology expertise with development cooperation.