The NBS Academy project

The NBS Academy project sets to create a European Community of Practice (CoP) of teacher education and training providers, teachers, policy makers and other education experts focused on developing and testing new professional learning programmes for improving teachers’ competences on Education for Environmental Sustainability (EES) by utilising nature-based solutions (NBS).

Mission

The mission of NBS Academy is to empower teachers and teacher trainers across Europe with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to integrate NBS into their teaching practices. Our aim is to support the implementation of NBS in education as an effective tool for environmental education, fostering a sustainable and resilient future for our communities and ecosystems.

For the purposes of this project, NBS are understood as “Solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions. Nature-based solutions must therefore benefit biodiversity and support the delivery of a range of ecosystem services.”2

Vision

Our vision is to build the first Academy promoting and mainstreaming NBS in teacher education for teachers and create a network of educators who champion NBS. NBS Academy will establish, coordinate, and support the creation of an international network of ITE and CPD providers connected to teachers, NBS experts, and policymakers to promote NBS in teacher education. This international network of stakeholders will set the ground for developing Collaborative Learning Communities (CLCs), who will join forces for developing innovative ITE and CPD courses, paving the way for integrating NBS in education.

Identity

NBS Academy is a groundbreaking project, committed to transforming education through the exposure of innovative methods around the concept of NBS. As pioneers in this field, we recognize the key role of teacher education and CoPs. Our project fosters a supportive and collaborative learning environment that encourages educators to embrace creativity, critical thinking, and hands-on experiences. Rooted in the principles of sustainability and environmental stewardship, NBS Academy serves as a catalyst for change, shaping a future where NBS are integrated into educational practices in and outside of the classroom.