As sustainability becomes a global priority, innovative education is essential to address environmental challenges. NBS EduWORLD provides a comprehensive collection of resources for different audiences, including educators, experts, policy makers and students, to integrate nature-based solutions (NbS) into learning and action.
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Equipping Experts with Educational Tools
The NBS Education Virtual Flipbook is a key resource for NbS education professionals. It highlights effective, place-based strategies, tools and success stories from non-formal education initiatives, providing inspiration for effective educational activities.
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Supporting Educators: Building NBS Knowledge from the Ground Up
Educators at different levels of familiarity with NbS can benefit from tailored resources. The NBS Knowledge Stream Guidelines provide step-by-step support for teachers new to NbS, offering practical activities and strategies for integrating these concepts into formal and non-formal education. Building on this foundation, the NBS Connections Stream Guidelines provide tools for more experienced educators to deepen their teaching of NbS topics and ensure that learners develop a solid understanding of sustainability. For younger audiences, structured activities such as the NBS Learning Activities for children aged 3 and above introduce the NbS through interactive and imaginative experiences, making sustainability tangible for young people across Europe. Further the NBS EduWORLD Learning Scenarios, developed as part of the Nature-Based Solutions in Education Competition 2023, support teachers in introducing NbS to students. These scenarios provide innovative, STEM-related activities that encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills, helping students gain an understanding of NbS..
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Transforming schools and higher education
NBS EduWORLD promotes the role of schools as hubs for sustainability and innovation. The brochure "Schools as Innovation Hubs for the Green Transition" provides a framework for integrating NbS into the whole school ecosystem. For higher education, resources such as the Initial Report on NBS in Higher Education explore how universities can combine academic knowledge with practical applications of NbS to prepare future leaders to effectively address environmental challenges.
The Schools as Innovation Hubs for the Green Transition Booklet offers insights into how the Whole-School Approach can integrate NBS into educational settings, providing guidance on transforming schools into centres of sustainability and innovation. Additionally, the NBS EduWORLD Booklet: The School as NBS Living Lab outlines key steps and best practices for this transformation, supporting both teachers and administrators in implementing NBS-driven change.
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Higher Education and Entrepreneurial Development: Nurturing Future Leaders
At the higher education level, NBS EduWORLD also provides resources that bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical sustainability solutions. The Initial Report on NBS in Higher Education examines current approaches in vocational, entrepreneurial, and tertiary education, highlighting the potential of NBS for pedagogical development in higher education. This report serves as a key reference for anyone looking to introduce or expand NBS-related curricula at the university level.
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Supporting Policymakers: Promoting NBS Education Policy
Policymakers and public authorities play a crucial role in advancing sustainability education. The State of the Art Report provides a detailed analysis of NBS education across Europe, offering policymakers the insights they need to develop effective education policies that integrate NBS. Additionally, the Assessment Framework and Guidance for NBS Education offers tools and strategies for evaluating the effectiveness of NBS educational programmes, contributing to evidence-based decision-making.
Collaboration with NetworkNature: Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts
When we work together, the sum is indeed greater than the parts. NBS EduWORLD works in strategic partnership with NetworkNature's Task Force 4 and Task Force 5 to increase the impact of nature-based solutions in education. Task Force 4 facilitates the exchange of knowledge and resources, ensuring that NbS learning reaches multiple platforms and audiences. Task Force 5 complements this by developing innovative learning materials and promoting the integration of NbS into educational frameworks. Together, these collaborations empower educators and policy makers to use education as a catalyst for environmental change, creating a unified force for sustainability.
NBS EduWORLD is dedicated to promoting sustainable change through education and offers a comprehensive range of resources for educators, experts, policymakers, and students. With its resources tailored to different audiences, NBS EduWORLD ensures that NbS become a central theme in sustainability education across Europe and beyond. Through collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to sustainability, NBS EduWORLD helps shape the leaders, educators, and policymakers of tomorrow, securing a more sustainable future for all.
