NBRACER was proud to take part in the European Urban Resilience Forum (EURESFO), held in Rotterdam in late June 2025. Our session, titled "From Practice to Policy: Innovating Water Resilience through Nature-based Solutions", brought together a wide range of experts and practitioners from across Europe to explore how Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) can shape a more resilient water future.
The workshop kicked off with a Menti poll asking participants what came to mind when thinking about water resilience. Their answers, including drought, flooding, governance, reuse, and citizen engagement, helped set the tone for a rich exchange of knowledge and experience.
Insights from the Field
The session featured a compelling lineup of speakers representing public authorities, academic institutions, and EU projects:
- Afroditi Mathioudaki (CDP) highlighted the growing recognition of NbS in urban climate adaptation, while pointing out persistent barriers such as lack of funding, co-design processes, and cross-sectoral collaboration.
- Elisa Costamagna (Politecnico di Milano) presented the NICE project's innovative use of green walls for greywater treatment, sharing lessons from pilot sites like Cecchi Point in Turin. Despite technical and political challenges, the solutions have shown promise and scalability.
- Jan Dzurdenik (Kosice Region, Slovakia) discussed landscape revitalisation efforts supported by the Land4Climate project, emphasizing the crucial role of private landowners and the importance of collaborative engagement.
- Marie,Caroline Vallon (PACA Region, France) shared CARDIMED's approach to mitigating flood risks and building regional resilience, while also addressing skepticism about NbS and highlighting the value of evidence-based demonstration.
- NBRACER's own contribution showcased activities in Friesland, in the north of the Netherlands, where river re-meandering is helping to restore natural water flow, improve water quality, and foster biodiversity.
Actionable Outcomes
Participants then joined focused breakout discussions on flood management, water scarcity, and wastewater treatment. Across all topics, key recommendations emerged:
- Strengthen cross-sectoral collaboration
- Secure more consistent and accessible funding
- Address regulatory and policy barriers
- Encourage greater political will at all levels
These insights will feed into forthcoming policy briefs that aim to bridge the gap between local practice and EU-level policymaking.
As we continue the work of NBRACER, we remain committed to sharing practical solutions and fostering dialogue around Nature-based approaches to water resilience.
Stay tuned for updates and new resources!
