Engage stakeholders & citizens

A successful nature-based solutions strategy is developed and implemented collaboratively with citizens and stakeholders. They can be involved in co-designing nature-based solutions on the ground, leading to the best design decisions based on data and technical, political and social opinion. They can also be engaged in decision making for strategy development. Involving a wide diversity of stakeholders in decisions helps to gain and maintain their trust. Mapping the relevant stakeholders and citizens groups and planning for their involvement is essential.

Example: Engaging citizens in Valencia.

Citizens in the neighbourhood of Benicalap, Valencia, have been directly involved in designing local nature-based solutions to manage water and heat stress. The winning ideas from a competition for citizens are on their way to be implemented, and everyone from school children to the elderly has had a say. Read more.

GrowGreen tools:

Engaging municipal departments in developing a nature-based solutions strategy
GrowGreen

External guidance and resources:

EEA and Wageningen University

Green Infrastructure in Parks: A Guide to Collaboration, Funding, and Community Engagement
United States EPA

Biodiversa Stakeholder Engagement Handbook
JNCC, Biodiversa

How to communicate successfully regarding nature-based solutions
TNC

Communication and engagement in local flood risk management
CIRIA

Communication strategies for green infrastructure
Georgetown Climate Center

Climate Visuals
Climate Outreach

SUDS Photo Library
SusDrain

Communication, education and public awareness toolkit
IUCN CEC

Participedia
Participedia