Invest4NatureBoosting the market for nature-based solutions

Despite the many advantages of nature-based solutions, there is still no systematic understanding of them. For example, there is currently no standard method for calculating the economic and financial benefits of nature-based solutions. With the EU project Invest4Nature, Steinbeis Europa Zentrum and fourteen other partners are contributing to an improved database and the development of a market for nature-based solutions. As experts in communication, we are working to spread the positive effects and benefits of nature-based solutions to the general public.

Based on the experience of five Living Labs in Norway, Denmark, Poland, Austria and Portugal, the Invest4Nature project partners are developing a system to better quantify these effects. This will facilitate the development of business models and is therefore an important indicator for financial players such as investors and insurance companies.

Since the beginning of 2024, a collaborative workspace has been available for all interested parties to participate in the activities that are most important to them and to share their knowledge. The portal is the result of intensive literature research and analysis. Valuable discussions have taken place with the Living Lab partners over the past two years. The key benefits and costs of nature-based solutions in different cities have been discussed and recent advances in evaluation methods have been explored; existing approaches to modelling and assessing economic and financial performance have also been scrutinised.

In close cooperation with the project partners, Steinbeis Europa Zentrum communicates the project results to the general public in an easy-to-understand language via the website, social media activities, videos, print materials or event participation. More technical audiences are addressed via specialised training courses, publications and presentations. Steinbeis Europa Zentrum assumes the role of innovation manager and moderator as part of the exploitation process. The aim is to utilise the project results and prepare them for a possible subsequent market launch.

As administrative and financial coordinator, Steinbeis Europa Zentrum also supports the technical coordination and operational processes of the project. We monitor the overall budget of the project and support the partners in managing their own costs through regular updates, financial trainings and one-to-one meetings as required.

Project website: Nature-based solutions - Invest4Nature