Written by: Ephy Kouzi, Iakovos Delioglanis

On 26^th – 27^th September 2024, the ᴇNᴀBʟS consortium held its second plenary meeting, bringing together all partners to discuss the progress, achievements, and next steps of our joint endeavour. Hosted by our partner the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) and attended by over 36 participants from several countries, the meeting was a pivotal moment to review ongoing work and align on the ᴇNᴀBʟS Living Labs, a key milestone of the project. Partners discussed fundamental NBS concepts and approaches, shared updates on their respective contributions, and fostered a collaborative atmosphere focused on innovation and inclusivity.

Figure 1: Working together to to better understand NBS concepts.

During the meeting, key discussions centred around the latest advancements in mapping awareness, perceptions and education on biodiversity and Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in Europe, challenges faced, and strategies for the successful completion of the upcoming project phases. Breakout sessions provided space for focused dialogues on the specific visions and targets of individual Living Labs, while plenary discussions highlighted the importance of their overall educational orientation and future cooperation. The consortium reaffirmed its commitment to delivering impactful results aligned with its goals of working together across silos to raise awareness of biodiversity and NBS, and build collective capacity towards a nature-positive society.

Figure 2: Setting up the 7 Living Labs.

Looking ahead, partners outlined a clear roadmap for the next phase of the project, with a renewed focus on engaging the wider society to their upcoming activities. The plenary concluded with a shared sense of achievement and enthusiasm, ensuring that ᴇNᴀBʟS remains on track to meet its ambitious targets.

Figure 3: Group photo.