Czech Living Lab

Nature-Based Solutions Education Lab:
Advancing Sustainability and Bioeconomy in the Czech Republic

ᴇNᴀBʟS’ Czech Living Lab (LL), coordinated by BIOEAST HUB CZ, addresses the limited integration of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) into Czech educational contexts. It aims to raise awareness, foster collaboration, and build a multi-stakeholder network to embed NBS in education, promoting sustainability and the bioeconomy in the region.

The LL introduces NBS into educational settings by advancing sustainable practices such as urban greening and biodiversity monitoring, and by highlighting ecosystem functions and nature-based approaches relevant to an industrial urban context. It bridges theoretical knowledge with practical applications, equipping learners to tackle environmental and societal challenges.

The graph is courtesy of the ᴇNᴀBʟS HUB-CR team.

With a focus on the Czech Republic, core activities are centred at Technical University Ostrava, Secondary School Matiční, and Biotechnology Lyceum in Brno. Education is at the heart of this initiative, serving as a platform to integrate NBS into educational activities across different levels. Activities include hands-on learning, workshops, student-led projects, and interdisciplinary collaborations that cultivate awareness and skills in NBS.

The Czech LL primarily engages university students, educators, Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions, policymakers, SMEs, environmental NGOs, and community groups through open invitations and voluntary participation, depending on interest and availability. Key activities include:

Workshops and training for educators and students;
Practical projects, such as urban greening, renewable energy installations, and biodiversity monitoring;
Co-creation events and focus groups;
Educational and engagement activities introducing NBS concepts through real-life examples;
Community engagement through seminars, focus groups, and public forums;
Student competitions and public-facing events that encourage reflection on biodiversity and nature-based approaches.

Contribution to ᴇNᴀBʟS and expected impact

The Czech LL seeks to integrate NBS topics into higher education learning environments and educational activities at partner institutions, providing hands-on learning opportunities for students, demonstrating real-world applications of NBS in local and regional contexts, and raising awareness while building capacity among educators, students, and policymakers. Its overall goal is to increase awareness and understanding of NBS among students, educators, and policymakers, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration between academia, industry, and local communities, improve ecosystem resilience and sustainability through practical NBS projects, and support long-term cultural and institutional shifts toward sustainable practices in education and beyond.