Advancing Nature-based Solutions through Innovative Financing Mechanisms
As part of the NATURANCE project, ICLEI Europe is pleased to invite you to the second Innovation Lab, held in collaboration with the Invest4Nature project. Building on the insights from the first Lab, this session will dive deeper into innovative financing mechanisms for nature-based solutions (NbS), with a focus on Private-Public Partnerships (PPPs) and the role of insurance.
This Lab will feature two real-world case studies from Poznań (Poland) and Aarhus (Denmark), offering practical examples of how cities are testing new approaches to financing green infrastructure, enhancing urban biodiversity, and mobilising private-sector engagement.
Invest4Nature brings together financial institutions and city representatives to accelerate investment in NbS and nature-positive urban development. The Innovation Lab series aims to identify existing barriers to finance, explore enabling conditions, and promote innovative solutions through city-led experiences and open dialogue.
Key Objectives
- Facilitate continued exchange on opportunities and practical strategies to strengthen collaboration between public authorities and private financiers.
- Explore innovative financial instruments and governance models to support scalable NbS.
- Showcase case studies from Poznań and Aarhus:
- Poznań: A collaborative effort involving “crowdplanting” and corporate sponsorship to support urban afforestation.
- Aarhus: A blended financing model combining public funds and private donations for multifunctional NbS, including coastal restoration initiatives.
- Provide insights on aligning local investments with global biodiversity, climate, and nature finance frameworks.
- Discuss pathways to mainstream green infrastructure (GI), NbS, and biodiversity into broader resilience and climate financing strategies.
Join us to explore how cross-sector partnerships and financial innovation can unlock the full potential of nature-based solutions in urban areas.
Lab 2 Case Studies
Afforestation campaign in Poznań, Poland
Poznań’s cooperation with Green-Up representing Reforest’Action and with the Poznań Forests Municipal Company. Reforest’Action is an organization that raises funds from companies and individuals via a “crowdplanting” platform to support local afforestation projects. The cooperation resulted in the afforestation of 10 ha in the years 2021-2022, which translates into 53,000 new trees in Poznań (including oak, lime, birch). Another example is the cooperation between Volkswagen Poznań and the Babki Forest District. Together, they planted 25,000 trees to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Volkswagen vehicle factory in Poznań.
Aarhus Municipality Living Lab
Aarhus Municipality Living Lab focuses on multifunctional nature-based solutions, including groundwater protection, biodiversity, afforestation, and wetland restoration. The goal is converting 8.000 hectares of arable land to forest or nature, resulting in one-third of the municipality being covered by forests and natural areas. The financing is provided through a combination of funds from the municipality, the Danish Nature Agency, water utility companies, and private donations, and this will continue in the coming years. Aarhus Municipality is also part of a collaboration with other municipalities to secure private funding for nature-based solutions in the coastal waters of East Jutland.