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NetworkNature TF4 Digest: August 2026

The NetworkNature Task Force 4 (Communicators) is pleased to provide you with a summary of upcoming events and opportunities announced by Horizon 2020/Europe projects and select Missions. This Task Force is responsible for synergising and enhancing communication approaches and messages across Nature-based Solutions (NbS) projects. If you are not a task force 4 member, but would like to submit to this informal digest, please reach out to hello@networknature.eu. We will get back to you as soon as possible with instructions!

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NetworkNature TF4 Digest: August 2026

Project Updates

  • Last chance to submit your ideas to the NetworkNature Postcard Exhibition Call! Submissions are due July 31 2026, and accepted ideas will be presented at the NetworkNature Week in Paris this November!
  • Have you noticed anything not quite right on the NetworkNature platform? Let us know here. We are always improving the platform and want your input!
  • Quick Reads - Do not miss the NATURANCE briefs: 
    • Risk transfer and reduction through nature-based solutions (brief)  
    • Scaling investment in nature-based solutions (brief)  
    • Assessing the co-benefits of nature-based solutions (brief)  
    • Assessing flood risk in the context of nature-based solutions (brief) 
  • New Resource on design of NbS for urban water management: The NICE project has released a new guideline document to support the design, implementation and management of innovative Nature-based Solutions for urban water management. The resource is aimed at municipalities, water utilities, planners, engineers and policymakers seeking to scale up water-resilient NbS. Explore NICE resources. 
  • DesirMED just released its second policy brief on how “School gardens represent a low-risk form of education-based NbS, providing practical entry points for transformative climate adaptation”. Explore the full document. 
  • NBS4Drought, WATERGRID, PROSPER and other projects are establishing a collaborative communications working group for EU-funded projects working on Nature-based Solutions, water resilience and/or drought adaptation. The initiative welcomes interest from other thematically related projects. To find out more, contact adriana.duarte@iclei.org.

Upcoming Events

August

  • 15th European Conference on Ecological Restoration
    Date: 24-28 August 2026; Location: Brest, France
    The 15th SER Conference aims to share knowledge and strengthen collaboration across restoration ecology while building connections with emerging topics such as ecological networks and marine ecosystem restoration. With a focus on wetlands and coastal ecosystems, the conference will also address the implementation of European restoration legislation and National Restoration Plans. The programme will cover ecological, social, and policy dimensions of ecosystem restoration across diverse ecosystems and territories, including overseas regions. Register here!

September

  • TERRAenVISION 2026
    Date: 7-10 September 2026; Location: Trier, Germany 
    This conference aims to provide a platform for a broad range of stakeholders that together can exchange experiences and identify new transformational pathways towards a sustainable society within the planetary boundaries. It promotes the exchange of scientific research, solutions from industry and insights from policy for interdisciplinary collaboration and networking. Register here!
  • Soils for Europe Conference
    Date: 7-11 September 2026; Location: Coimbra, Portugal
    The Soils for Europe conference, co-organised by multiple Mission Soil projects, will highlight panels on the Mission Objectives, including cross-cutting sessions aiming to showcase the latest research being developed across Europe.While the event will allow for the showcasing of innovations being produced by various European-funded projects, the conference will be open to  all researchers and practitioners in an effort to bring together the best and most innovative initiatives in the European space, including a day dedicated to the Living Labs initiatives. Registration for the conference will open in early summer here.
  • 19th IWA International Conference on Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control
    Date: 13-17 September 2026; Location: Chania, Greece
    The conference belongs to the IWA Specialist Group “Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control” conference series; a bi-annual event that acts as a global forum for discussion and knowledge sharing on the state of the art in scientific and practical development and implementation on nature-based solutions, focusing on constructed wetlands providing water quality improvement and other co-benefits and ecosystem services. Register here!
  • CARDIMED Conference 2026
    Date: 21-22 September 2026; Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
    Organised by CARDIMED project in collaboration with Utrecht University and its Pathways to Sustainability programme, the conference will bring together researchers, practitioners, planners, policy makers and artists to explore how urban rivers can be renatured and regenerated to foster climate resilience, biodiversity recovery and social connection. The programme will combine plenary sessions with interactive seed sessions, designed to stimulate emerging ideas and collaborations. Further information on registration and attendance will be published soon.
  • DesirMED Adaptation Festival: The Mediterranean We Desire
    Date: 25-26 September; Location: Larnaca, Cyprus
    The first DesirMED Festival will take place on 25–26 September in Larnaca, Cyprus alongside the Mediterranean Coast Day. The Festival creates a unique opportunity to engage citizens, policymakers and local communities on climate adaptation and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in the Mediterranean region. Policy panels, interactive public space activities, workshops and more! 

October

  • European Week of Regions and Cities
    Date: 12-14 October  2026; Location: Brussels, Belgium
    The European Week of Regions and Cities is the largest annual event held in Brussels dedicated to regional and urban policy. It provides cities and regions with a platform to demonstrate their role in fostering growth and employment, implementing EU Cohesion Policy, and highlighting the importance of the local and regional level in effective European governance.
  • Brussels Climate Week Conference
    Date: 12-15 October  2026; Location: Brussels, Belgium
    The Brussels Climate Week Conference is the central forum of the Week, bringing together European institutions, Member States, industry, cities, investors, and innovators to shape the future of Europe’s climate-industrial transition. Over five themed days, the Conference will explore how Europe can advance resilience, competitiveness, and sustainability through high-level dialogues, curated roundtables, and cross-sector networking that turn ambition into action. Call for Speakers open here!
  • CBD COP 17 
    Date: 19-30 October  2026; Location: Yerevan, Armenia
    The 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a major global summit where governments, experts, Indigenous Peoples, civil society, and other stakeholders come together to review progress and define new commitments on the protection and restoration of biodiversity. 

November

  • NbS International Congress 
    Date: 2-6 November 2026; Location: Paris, France
    The NbS  International Congress will bring together more than 500 researchers, practitioners, city and region representatives, national and EU authorities, policy-makers, local and international organisations, investors, businesses, and civil society from the NbS community.  Through different thematic tracks —from science to policy and practice, and across diverse ecosystems and topics— the congress will offer a week of exchange across science, practice and policy, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing within the international network.  
    • Scientific Conference: Organised by PERP SOLU-BIOD, the Scientific Conference will take place on  4, 5 and 6 November 2026 at Sorbonne University. A registration fee will be required. The call for sessions is now open! Registration here.  
    • NetworkNature Week: Running from 2 to 4 November 2026, the NetworkNature Week will feature a series of events designed to inspire and build the capacity of the NbS community and beyond to continue taking action for nature. Key events not to miss: 
      • NetworkNature Science-Policy Dialogue – 2 November (afternoon) - venue tbd. Register here!
      • NetworkNature Annual Event – 3 November – Sorbonne University. Register here! 
      • Cities Festival – 4 November (hosted by UNP+ and the City of Paris in collaboration with NN) - Climate Academy. Register here!
  • Smart City Expo World Congress
    Date: 3-5 November 2026; Location: Barcelona, Spain
    Held annually in Barcelona since 2011, the Smart City Expo World Congress is the world’s largest and most influential event dedicated to cities and urban innovation. It brings together leaders from global companies, governments, and organisations to explore how cities can evolve towards more sustainable, efficient, and inclusive futures. The event aims to turn urban ambition into concrete solutions by fostering partnerships, collaboration, and knowledge exchange to address the most pressing challenges facing cities today.
    Get your pass here.
  • COP 31 of UNFCCC
    Date: 9-20 November 2026; Location: Antalya, Turkey
    At the summit, world leaders, experts, and civil society representatives will discuss joint solutions to combat climate change and build a sustainable future. Hosted by Türkiye, this conference will be an important gathering for shaping global climate policies.
  • Re-Value Final Forum
    Date: 18 November 2026; Location: Bruges, Belgium 
    Organised by Re-Value, the Forum will celebrate the journey of 9 waterfront cities towards climate neutrality through inclusive urban planning and design. Save the date and keep an eye on our Events page for updates on the programme and registration opening. Stay up to date by following Re-Value on LinkedIn and Instagram, and by signing up for the Informed Cities Newsletter here.

Calls for Proposals (Events)

Calls for Abstracts (Publications)

Other Opportunities