INSIDERS | Unlocking Finance for Nature-based Solutions: Perspectives from Three Innovation Labs
Unlocking finance for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) remains a major challenge for conservation, restoration, and sustainable land management worldwide. This online webinar, part of the NATURANCE Insiders Series of lunch seminars, brought together insights from three NATURANCE innovation labs – KIT, ICLEI, and Stockholm University – to explore practical approaches to mobilising finance for NbS.
The 60-minute session combined presentations from lab leaders, a moderated panel discussion, and audience Q&A. Participants shared lessons learned on financing protected areas, engaging private capital and landowners, and aligning ecological and economic outcomes. Discussions highlighted innovative mechanisms and frameworks for cross-sector collaboration, as well as complementary public, private, and blended financing approaches.
Key Topics
- KIT Lab – Protected Area Financing: Andrea Staccione & Almut Arneth will present financing challenges for conservation and restoration areas, innovative private sector mechanisms, and lessons from practical case studies.
- ICLEI Lab – Local and Regional Governance: Laura Pirazán Palomar & Lorea Martín-Abad will discuss mobilising finance at local and municipal levels, blending public and private funding, and aligning stakeholder incentives for cross-sector collaboration.
- Stockholm University Lab – Landowner Engagement: Jerker Jarsjö will focus on barriers to private investment, models to engage landowners, and aligning ecological and economic outcomes for long-term viability.
- Panel Discussion: Laura Clavey & Pranav Shankar Kaundinya will moderate this session, covering common barriers across contexts, promising opportunities for innovation, and stakeholder responsibilities.
- Concluding Remarks: Swenja Surminski will summarise lessons learned, areas of convergence, and next steps for cross-sector collaboration.
This webinar is aimed at policymakers, investors, researchers, and practitioners involved in NbS financing, offering actionable insights for bridging the funding gap and scaling up nature-based interventions.