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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: September 2026
Project Updates
- 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!
- Check out the Citizen Science Mini-Handbook for Transformative Change from the Naturescapes project! A great resource on how citizen science can empower communities, support more inclusive and just nature-based solutions, and influence decision-making and policy. Download the handbook and more resources here!
- Check out the new policy brief “Achieving Better Implementation of EU Policies by Restoring the Sponge Function”, from SpongeScapes & SpongeBoost projects, exploring how sponge measures can build more resilient landscapes and address drought, flooding and water management challenges across Europe, with practical policy recommendations for wider uptake.
- There is still time to sign up for the NbS International Congress taking place 2-6 November 2026 in Paris, France. Join 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. The NetworkNature Annual Event will take place as part of the congress.
Upcoming Events
September
- 9th World One Health Congress
Date: 4-7 September 2026; Location: Lisbon, Portugal
The four-day Congress will bring together experts from around the world to advance One Health science and policy, with discussions covering key topics such as One Health research, antimicrobial resistance, and the science-policy interface. It will provide a space to exchange cutting-edge research and explore policy developments shaping the future of human, animal and environmental health. Register here! - 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! - MIP4Adapt event: Navigating the Mission Adaptation tools: Discover the Mission Solutions Explorer and other Mission resources
Date: 17 September 2026, 10:00-11:30 CEST: Location: online
Ahead of its official launch, this interactive event offers participants an opportunity to explore the new Explorer and provide feedback to help shape its final development. - CARDIMED Conference 2026: Bringing Urban Rivers Back to Life
Date: 22-23 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! - UrbanByNature x NBRACER Webinar #3
Date: 30 September; Location: Online
The third webinar in the UrbanByNature x NBRACER series will take place on 30 September, 2026 from 12:00 to 13:00 CEST. Participants will learn firsthand from regional experiences in implementing nature-based solutions through local engagement. Registrations are rolling so sign up now!
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. Registrations are open here! - 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. Register here! - The New European Bauhaus Prizes 2026
Date: 15 October 2026
The finalists of the International Prizes have also been announced and can be found on the New European Bauhaus website. The winners of the New European Bauhaus Prizes 2026 will be announced at the NEB Awards Ceremony on 15 October 2026. Stay tuned for more! - 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. NetworkNature will be there - will you? - XII AESOP Sustainable Food Planning Conference
Date: 21-24 October 2026; Location: Venice, Italy
The Conference will bring together researchers, practitioners, activists and policymakers to explore how food systems and their values are shaped in contexts of environmental, social, economic and political fragility. The conference will address challenges such as climate change, conflict, inequality and governance, focusing on how food planning can contribute to more resilient and sustainable territories.
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:
- 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. - European Mission Soil Week 2026
Date: 17-18 November 2026; Location: Dublin, Ireland
The fourth European Mission Soil Week will bring together a wide range of stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, farmers, businesses and citizens. The event will be hybrid and will focus on sustainable soil management, providing opportunities to exchange knowledge, explore innovative solutions, strengthen collaboration and support the implementation of the EU Mission Soil across Europe. - 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!
Calls for Proposals (Events)
- 19th International Conference on Wetland Systems
It is our great pleasure to welcome you to the 19th IWA International Conference on Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control to be held between 13-17 September 2026 in the beautiful city of Chania on the island of Crete in Greece. Submit an abstract now.
Calls for Abstracts (Publications)
- Call for Papers | Special Issue on the Water–Energy–Food Nexus
We are pleased to share a new Special Issue in the journal Water (MDPI) on: “Water–Energy–Food Nexus: Tools and Strategies for Resilient Growth.” Submission deadline: 20 September 2026.
Other Opportunities
- European cities invited to benchmark capabilities for democratic green transitions
The GreenDEMO Capability Check for Cities is a 15–20 minute survey for European city officials exploring how city administrations support democratic green transitions.Cities with at least five respondents will receive a tailored capability profile benchmarking their city against other participating cities.
Take part! - EU twinning on climate adaptation
Is your region grappling with a mining legacy, contaminated land, or the challenge of turning pilot projects into municipal-wide action? Adaptation Hubs is opening its first EU twinning exchange, connecting regions facing similar climate challenges with frontrunner regions ready to share what works. The exchange takes place on 7-9 October 2026 in Chodov, Karlovy Vary region (Czechia), mentored by the municipality of Chodov and the region. Apply by September 4. - Call for Creative Proposals: Transform Climate Data into Public Art in Mannheim
Urban ReLeaf invites artists, designers, creative practitioners, and collectives to submit proposals for an exciting new opportunity in Mannheim, Germany. Budget: €3,500 (includes all artist fees, production, materials, travel, and project expenses). Submission Deadline: September 6 2026.
Please submit your proposal and supporting documents to: Johanna.Doerre@Mannheim.de
