Norwegian research institute specializing in biodiversity monitoring, Arctic ecology, and ecosystem services assessment for environmental policy across Europe and the Arctic.
NINA is Norway's leading independent research institute for nature research, specializing in biodiversity monitoring, ecosystem services assessment, and Arctic ecology. They provide scientific evidence for environmental policy and natural resource management across Europe and the Arctic. Their work spans ecosystem mapping and valuation, Arctic terrestrial biodiversity research, and nature-based solutions for urban and rural environments. They bridge ecological science with practical tools for land use planning, conservation policy, and sustainable development.
Core contributor to ESMERALDA (ecosystem services mapping), MAIA (natural capital accounting), EuropaBON (biodiversity observation network), and AfricanBioServices (ecosystem functions).
Active in CHARTER (Arctic terrestrial biodiversity and permafrost dynamics), ArcticHubs (Arctic sustainable development), and CAPARDUS (Arctic standardisation).
Contributes to INTERLACE, focused on urban ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions connecting Latin America and Europe.
Partner in IMPRESS, focused on improved production strategies for endangered freshwater species.
Participant in HydroFlex, contributing ecological expertise to hydropower flexibility research.
Contributed to Advance_eLTER, supporting European long-term ecosystem and socio-ecological research infrastructure development.
NINA's early H2020 work (2015–2018) centered on European-scale ecosystem services mapping, biodiversity strategy, and large-scale ecological research in Africa — a broad, policy-oriented focus on understanding and valuing ecosystems. From 2019 onward, their portfolio shifted decisively toward Arctic research, community engagement, and participatory approaches, with three Arctic-focused projects (CHARTER, ArcticHubs, CAPARDUS) bringing themes of indigenous peoples, permafrost dynamics, and social-ecological resilience. They also expanded into urban nature-based solutions (INTERLACE), signaling a widening scope beyond wilderness ecology.
NINA is moving toward Arctic-focused, community-engaged research combining ecological monitoring with indigenous knowledge and climate adaptation — a strong partner for anyone working on polar sustainability or nature-based climate solutions.
NINA operates exclusively as a participant or partner — they have not coordinated any H2020 projects, preferring to contribute specialist ecological expertise within larger consortia. With 181 unique partners across 45 countries, they are a highly networked organization comfortable in large, international teams. This pattern suggests they are a reliable, low-ego partner valued for their scientific depth rather than project management ambitions.
NINA has built an extensive network of 181 unique consortium partners spanning 45 countries, well beyond the typical Nordic research circle. Their partnerships reach from Europe to Africa and Latin America, reflecting a genuinely global collaborative footprint for an Arctic-based institute.
NINA occupies a rare niche: a Nordic research institute that combines deep Arctic ecological expertise with strong capabilities in ecosystem valuation and policy-relevant tools. Their recent portfolio uniquely bridges hard science (permafrost dynamics, biodiversity variables) with participatory methods involving indigenous communities and local populations. For consortium builders, NINA offers credible Norwegian Arctic access, long-term ecological monitoring experience, and a track record of translating complex environmental data into policy and planning tools.
