SciTransfer
COEVOLVERS · Project

Inclusive Governance Models for Nature-Based Urban and Community Infrastructure

environmentTestedTRL 5

Imagine building a city park that doesn't just look good to architects, but actually works for the local wildlife and the poorest residents. Instead of experts deciding everything from a distant office, this work lets the people and the nature on-site guide the design. It's like co-creating a garden where the plants and the neighbors have an equal vote in how it grows.

By the numbers
7
Living Labs for testing NBS governance
9
Countries involved in the consortium
17
Total project deliverables
The business problem

What needed solving

Nature-based solutions are often designed by experts for privileged groups, leading to social exclusion and failure due to administrative inertia. This results in green projects that lack local support and fail to provide actual resilience for vulnerable populations.

The solution

What was built

A set of governance techniques, models, and digital transdisciplinary methodologies tested in 7 Living Labs to co-design inclusive nature-based solutions.

Audience

Who needs this

Urban planning consultanciesEnvironmental policy advisorsMunicipal government administratorsGreen infrastructure developers
Business applications

Who can put this to work

Urban Planning
mid-size
Target: Municipal consultancy firm

If you are a municipal consultancy firm dealing with public resistance to green infrastructure — this project developed inclusive governance techniques that ensure local residents and nature are integrated into the design. This reduces social friction and increases the long-term success of urban greening.

Environmental Services
SME
Target: Biodiversity restoration SME

If you are a biodiversity restoration SME dealing with rigid administrative rules — this project developed new models for nature-based solutions that bypass institutional inertia. This allows for faster implementation of ecological projects that meet EU Biodiversity Strategy targets.

Digital Governance
SME
Target: Civic-tech software provider

If you are a civic-tech software provider dealing with low citizen engagement in climate projects — this project developed digital transdisciplinary methodologies to co-design nature solutions. This provides a blueprint for tools that engage vulnerable populations in environmental decision-making.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What is the cost or price of implementing these solutions?

Based on available project data, specific pricing for the governance models is not provided, though the objective states these solutions are designed to be cost-effective for both nature and humans.

Can these governance models be scaled to an industrial level?

The project tests these models across 7 Living Labs in 9 different countries, suggesting a design intended for cross-European scaling and adaptation to various local contexts.

What are the IP and licensing terms for the developed tools?

Based on available project data, there is no mention of specific patents or licensing agreements; the focus is on co-created knowledge and governance practices.

How does this help with EU environmental regulations?

The project aligns with the EU Biodiversity Strategy, the Restoration Law, and the Climate adaptation strategy to help communities meet these legal targets.

What is the timeline for deploying these results?

The project period runs from 2022-11-01 to 2026-10-31, meaning full results and evaluated models will be available by late 2026.

Consortium

Who built it

The consortium is heavily weighted toward research and academic expertise, consisting of 6 research organizations and 3 universities. With 0 industrial partners and only 2 SMEs among the 11 partners, the project is driven by scientific inquiry rather than commercial product development. This suggests the output will be high-quality methodology and governance models rather than a plug-and-play commercial product.

How to reach the team

Contact LUONNONVARAKESKUS in Finland

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Contact us to bridge the gap between these research-led governance models and your commercial urban development projects.

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