Written by: Ephy Kouzi, FOCUS

Thriving Nature Meets Thriving Ideas: Partners Get Down to Earth (Literally!)

Wageningen, 7–8 May 2025 – Nature was not just a topic of conversation at the latest ᴇNᴀBʟS plenary meeting—it was the setting, the inspiration, and in many ways, the star of the show. Forget stuffy conference rooms – the backdrop for this meeting was the rather gorgeous Wageningen University & Research (WUR) campus, a testament to the very Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) the project champions. Think thriving greenery and a gentle reminder that the answers to many of our challenges might just lie in embracing the natural world.

A Meeting in Motion (and in the Outdoors)

After a warm walk-in and the first of many coffees, the meeting got underway with an inspiration session on “Nature-Based Futures.” From biodiversity challenges to student hackathons, participants explored stories that reminded everyone of the power of education and community to drive environmental action with real, lasting impact.

That spirit continued through sessions on embedding NBS into university and vocational curricula. Discussions were anything but dry: practical, forward-looking, and focused on the “how” as much as the “why”—with an eye on scaling NBS skills and sparking inter-institutional dialogue across Europe. Progress was scrutinised, next steps mapped out, and the overall mood was one of enthusiastic collaboration – both among partners and with the real world, through the lens of Living Labs.

Then it was time to take things outside—literally. After lunch, participants gathered in front of the Impulse building for an outdoor session. A chance to stretch the legs and see some NBS in action? Absolutely!

The day concluded with a thoughtful reflection on the ᴇNᴀBʟS journey so far, followed by a lively brainstorming session on how to keep both the momentum—and the spirit of collaboration—going strong. And of course, no productive day is complete without a bit of conviviality: dinner in Wageningen city offered the perfect setting for partners to unwind, share stories, and feel a sense of common purpose that carried into the next day.

Birds, Conversations, and Food Forests…

Day two started early for the enthusiastic few who opted in for a birdwatching tour, complete with binoculars and passionate guides. It was a gentle (and feathered) reminder of what we are working to protect.

Back indoors, the focus shifted to Living Labs. With coaching sessions and breakout discussions, teams explored how to bring the ᴇNᴀBʟS Living Labs to life and co-design future activities. The collaboration continued as participants strolled to the Wageningen Food Forest, where lunch and hands-on teamwork made for a fitting conclusion to the meeting.

In a final wrap-up under the trees, everyone shared what they would take away—professionally and personally—from two days of connection, co-creation, and, yes, birdsong.

Looking Ahead, Together

The message coming out of Wageningen was clear: the ᴇNᴀBʟS project is growing strong, with roots in solid collaboration. The overall sentiment? Energised, inspired, and ready to keep pushing the boundaries of nature-based thinking and learning. Meetings like this remind us that when we come together—in person, in nature, and in purpose—we move further, faster.

A heartfelt thanks goes to our Wageningen hosts for their excellent organisation, the inspiring natural environment, and warm hospitality. As we return to our respective Living Labs and institutions, we carry with us not just plans and timelines, but renewed energy to embed Nature-Based Solutions where they are needed most.

ᴇNᴀBʟS is not just about nature. It is about nurturing the future. And in Wageningen, that future looked particularly green.