Written by: Valentina Galantari, HUB-CR

On Sunday, 28 June, the ᴇNᴀBʟS project was presented at the International Summer School of Circular Bioeconomy and Sustainable Development in Thessaloniki, Greece, engaging participants in an interactive discussion on the role of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in building more sustainable and resilient societies.

The session featured educational materials developed within the project, focusing on common “Myths” surrounding NBS and their “Realities” (ᴇNᴀBʟS’ “Myths vs Reality” campaign). Participants explored topics including NBS versus grey infrastructure, job creation, and the perceived trade-off between food production and Nature-Based Solutions.

The presentation sparked lively discussions and valuable exchanges of perspectives. Participants highlighted the importance of distinguishing between individual and governmental costs when assessing NBS, considering the long-term legacy costs of restoring industrially degraded areas, and recognising the competition for land between housing development and wetland restoration. The discussion also emphasised the need for stronger stakeholder coordination, noting that large infrastructure projects often overlook participatory approaches.

Additional conversations explored how controlled flooding of agricultural land can provide environmental benefits and whether such practices could help address water depletion challenges in intensive farming regions such as Thessaly, Greece.

The event provided an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge with an international audience of emerging professionals committed to advancing the circular bioeconomy and sustainable development, and to assess the educational value of ᴇNᴀBʟS materials.

More about the Summer School

The International Summer School of Circular Bioeconomy and Sustainable Development, held annually in Greece, brings together a multidisciplinary international community to empower the next generation of experts driving the transition towards a circular bioeconomy through cutting-edge knowledge, sustainability perspectives, and regional insights.