As the world faces complex environmental and social challenges, reconnecting with nature has become more crucial than ever. That’s why projects like "More than Green: Lighthouses of Transformative Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)" are shining a light on the role of nature in transforming communities.
But what exactly are these "Lighthouses"? Let’s dive in and explore how eight pilot projects across Europe are engaging with nature to address both global and local challenges, from climate change to social inequality.
What Are Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)?
Nature-Based Solutions refer to actions that are inspired and supported by nature, not working against it. Whether it’s restoring wetlands to prevent floods or planting trees to cool urban areas, these solutions are designed to benefit both humans and non-human beings. The TRANS-lighthouses project is experimenting with small, locally tailored solutions that could have a big impact.
Where Are These Lighthouses?
The Lighthouses are spread across urban, rural, coastal, and forest environments, each focusing on unique challenges faced by the local communities. For example, in Brussels, a pilot project is using NbS to manage flood risks by improving the way water flows through urban areas. In the Azores, there’s a focus on making nature trails more accessible to everyone. These trails serve as more than just pathways; they are opportunities for people to build a deeper connection with nature, fostering an appreciation for its intrinsic value.
What makes these solutions transformative is that they bring together citizens, local governments, researchers, and organisations to co-create solutions. It’s about building communities that live in harmony with their natural surroundings.
Community engagement through participation
A key element of the project is ensuring that people—no matter their background—have a say in the future of their communities. This is more than just “inviting everyone to the table”; it's about making sure everyone has the room to act and influence decisions at all steps of the process.
To achieve this, the TRANS-lighthouses initiative is using creative tools to engage citizens. For example, in Roskilde, Denmark, the focus is on regenerative agriculture that fosters farmer-led initiatives and community-supported knowledge sharing, involving local residents in workshops and collaborative farming practices. Meanwhile, in Strovolos, Cyprus, a participatory model for enhancing public green spaces aims to include marginalized groups in sustainable urban development.
What’s Next?
As the project progresses, the hope is that these small-scale, place-based solutions will inspire other communities across Europe—and beyond. The Lighthouses act as living laboratories, constantly evolving as new ideas and practices emerge.
Ultimately, More than Green is about reimagining how we live with nature - using a critical perspective of who and how is benefitting from Nature based solutions. It’s about transforming not just the landscapes around us but the way we think about and interact with our environment.
By involving people from all walks of life and encouraging them to actively shape the spaces they live in, this project is paving the way for more inclusive and (nature) caring communities.
As the world faces complex environmental and social challenges, reconnecting with nature has become more crucial than ever. That’s why projects like "More than Green: Lighthouses of Transformative Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)" are shining a light on the role of nature in transforming communities.
But what exactly are these "Lighthouses"? Let’s dive in and explore how eight pilot projects across Europe are engaging with nature to address both global and local challenges, from climate change to social inequality.
What Are Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)?
Nature-Based Solutions refer to actions that are inspired and supported by nature, not working against it. Whether it’s restoring wetlands to prevent floods or planting trees to cool urban areas, these solutions are designed to benefit both humans and non-human beings. The TRANS-lighthouses project is experimenting with small, locally tailored solutions that could have a big impact.
Where Are These Lighthouses?
The Lighthouses are spread across urban, rural, coastal, and forest environments, each focusing on unique challenges faced by the local communities. For example, in Brussels, a pilot project is using NbS to manage flood risks by improving the way water flows through urban areas. In the Azores, there’s a focus on making nature trails more accessible to everyone. These trails serve as more than just pathways; they are opportunities for people to build a deeper connection with nature, fostering an appreciation for its intrinsic value.
What makes these solutions transformative is that they bring together citizens, local governments, researchers, and organisations to co-create solutions. It’s about building communities that live in harmony with their natural surroundings.
Community engagement through participation
A key element of the project is ensuring that people—no matter their background—have a say in the future of their communities. This is more than just “inviting everyone to the table”; it's about making sure everyone has the room to act and influence decisions at all steps of the process.
To achieve this, the TRANS-lighthouses initiative is using creative tools to engage citizens. For example, in Roskilde, Denmark, the focus is on regenerative agriculture that fosters farmer-led initiatives and community-supported knowledge sharing, involving local residents in workshops and collaborative farming practices. Meanwhile, in Strovolos, Cyprus, a participatory model for enhancing public green spaces aims to include marginalized groups in sustainable urban development.
What’s Next?
As the project progresses, the hope is that these small-scale, place-based solutions will inspire other communities across Europe—and beyond. The Lighthouses act as living laboratories, constantly evolving as new ideas and practices emerge.
Ultimately, More than Green is about reimagining how we live with nature - using a critical perspective of who and how is benefitting from Nature based solutions. It’s about transforming not just the landscapes around us but the way we think about and interact with our environment.
By involving people from all walks of life and encouraging them to actively shape the spaces they live in, this project is paving the way for more inclusive and (nature) caring communities.