The global programme for
urban nature pioneers
About the programme
UrbanByNature is a facilitated capacity-building programme promoting exchange among cities, researchers, SMEs and NGOs to build bridges with the Nature-Based Solutions communities across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and other interested regions. The programme is powered by ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, and the EU-funded projects Connecting Nature and CLEVER Cities.
Participation is open and free of charge with new opportunities coming up regularly for other regions worldwide.
Find out more and watch our introductory video.
Image from Unsplash by Andrew Haimerl
Benefits and target audiences
- Exchange with global cities on ambitions, processes, policies, financing options and business approaches on how to solve urban development challenges through urban nature
- Learn how to plan and implement urban green and blue interventions for and with citizens
- Gain access to tools, methods and approaches that support the planning and implementation of nature-based interventions
- Access the programme materials anytime, anywhere and be notified of new learning opportunities and events by subscribing to our UrbanByNature monthly Digest
- And much more!
Our Methodology
The UrbanByNature programme builds on relevant urban greening methodologies such as the Green Climate City programme and the Green City Action plan methodology for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
Our curriculum reflects a co-creative approach, in which not only principles and methods are shared, but participants work together to actively engage in making cities and towns more resilient towards urban challenges and in transforming their neighbourhoods.
Regional Hubs
UrbanByNature has now been launched in five regional hubs worldwide: Brazil, Korea, the Caucasus, China and Spain. New hubs are foreseen in Flandres, Scotland, Latin America and South Eastern Europe.
Join the programme!
Become part of our vibrant network of urban greening pioneers by joining the UrbanByNature community! To receive updates on webinars and events, fill in the registration form.
Events
"Cities and towns are bearing the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has made the links between human and planetary health clearer than ever. By creating a space for in-depth reflection on the relationship between humans and the environment, and for sharing solutions to restore nature while addressing critical urban challenges, UrbanByNature allows urban practitioners across the world to cooperate in building spaces that value nature as the central source of human well-being."
Holger Robrecht, Deputy Regional Director for Sustainable Resources, Climate and Resilience, ICLEI Europe
"The ancient Chinese theory that man is an integral part of nature holds more truth than ever amid a time when COVID-19 continues to surge across the world. As the share of the population residing in cities increases in all regions, there is an increasing need for urban decision-makers and citizens to adopt policies and practices to integrate nature into daily life. The ICLEI East Asia Secretariat is excited to facilitate the knowledge and expertise exchange between China and Europe, through UrbanByNature, in mainstreaming nature-based solutions into urban development."
Shu Zhu, Regional Director & China Representative, ICLEI East Asia
“With initiatives like the launch of this Hub, A Coruña is trying to be a leader in the fight against climate change. In the past, we have been hard hit by environmental catastrophes such as the sinking of oil tankers, and we are now facing an increasingly adverse climate. Being one of the cities that lead the way for the mainstreaming of NBS in Europe and in Spain is a huge opportunity, and we want to be up to the challenge."
Esther Fontán, Third Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Environment and Sustainability in the City of A Coruña
"The Mentoring Programme delivered by UrbanByNature and Osmos in Brazil was very well structured, organised and flexible. It used practical experiences from competent European counterparts to illustrate sound approaches to the implementation of private, governmental and community-based NBS initiatives. It keeps inspiring us all months after the completion of the programme!"
Guilherme Castagna, Founding Partner - Fluxus Design Ecológico
News
Our partners
The UrbanByNature programme is funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union under Grant Agreements No. 730222 and No. 776604. The sole responsibility for the content of this website lies within UrbanByNature and in no way reflects the views of the European Union.