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Scientific knowledge and understanding provide societies with essential tools to tackle today’s critical economic, social, and environmental challenges. UNESCO views science as a fundamental public good and a crucial enabler of sustainable development. The , led by UNESCO, aims to strengthen international scientific cooperation, restore confidence in science, and encourage critical thinking to support humanity's quest for a resilient and equitable future. This initiative aligns closely with the European Union’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, demonstrating a shared vision for leveraging science in response to global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and urban resilience.

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are defined as cost-effective strategies inspired by nature that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. These solutions enhance biodiversity, improve ecosystem services, and contribute to sustainable urban development. While 91Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ·×ÔÅÄ acquired strong expertise in nature-based solutions, the European Union has established itself as a dedicated supporter, integrating them into policies such as the European Green Deal and Horizon Europe’s research and innovation programs.

Lead by University of Minho, Horizon Europe NBSINFRA project focuses on integrating nature-based solutions into urban infrastructure protection to enhance resilience against climate change-induced hazards. Through collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and urban planners, the project aims to create innovative, scalable, and locally embedded strategies to address risks like floods, heatwaves, and environmental challenges. Through city labs in Ruse (Bulgaria), Fingal (Ireland), Aveiro (Portugal), Prague (Czechia), and Cologne (Germany), NBSINFRA is demonstrating the real-world effectiveness of these solutions, ensuring their alignment with local needs and long-term sustainability.

Approaching the midterm of the project, the NBSINFRA Steering Committee meeting, hosted by UNESCO, took place in Brussels on the 19th of February. It brought together implementing partners to cover the progress since the beginning of the project in September 2024 and to set plans for upcoming period, aligning project objectives with EU policies on climate resilience and critical infrastructure protection.

A central focus of the meeting was enhancing the connection between research efforts and policymaking. Discussions emphasized the need for improved knowledge exchange between project partners, city-level stakeholders, and European institutions to maximize the impact of nature-based solutions. The importance of linking NBSINFRA with broader EU security and resilience strategies was stressed, ensuring that the project’s findings contribute to policy development at both national and European levels.

As the host of the meeting, UNESCO reinforced its commitment to supporting the replication of successful NBS solutions across Europe and beyond. Its contributions included fostering multi-stakeholder engagement, advocating for the integration of NBS into urban resilience policies, and ensuring that local knowledge and cultural contexts are considered in the implementation of solutions. The meeting underscored UNESCO’s function as a bridge between EU institutions, research communities, and local actors, furthering its mission to advance science-driven policy for sustainable development.

Looking ahead, the Steering Committee defined key actions, including strengthening collaboration with national and EU agencies, refining policy briefs to effectively convey project outcomes, and increasing engagement with decision-makers.