European funding opportunities for NBS-eligible projects
Several EU funding opportunities are available that can support the implementation and execution of projects focusing on nature, climate and the environment demonstrating the potential of NBS locally.
Specific Advice
Several relevant EU funding programs are available to secure funding for NBS projects.
These projects can also provide opportunities for intersectional cooperation and contribute to demonstrating the potential of NBS locally.
Some EU funding programs relevant to NBS projects include, but are not limited to:
- LIFE+, especially Nature and biodiversity, and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
- Horizon Europe
- Interreg
These programs should be considered when relevant. Furthermore, due to the costs of developing a project application, national actors can consider initiatives to secure funding for the application process similar to the example from Sweden below.
Several restoration initatives are supported by LIFE+, including this project in Lomma, Sweden. Photo: Ingvild S. Furuseth/NIVA
Good to Know
Depending on the design, these types of projects can be a way to establish intersectoral networks and cooperation with both public and private partners, as well as increase the cooperation between different municipalities.
There is often a requirement for additional funding.
Depending on the type of project, it can help to increase awareness of NBS and its potential through locally based projects.
It provides an opportunity for the involved partners to exchange knowledge and further specialize themselves on nature-based solutions.
The funding application process is often extensive, time-consuming, and expensive, and there is a risk of not getting the funding applied for. There is often also a requirement for additional co-funding.
It can be helpful to contact relevant research institutes about the research application process and involving research activities may deliver added value to the project.
Context
Finding and ensuring funding for NBS projects, especially large-scale projects, can be challenging. Meanwhile, the terms and concepts of NBS are still not widely known, especially at local level. Demonstration projects that can showcase the potential of NBS to target multiple objectives simultaneously can therefore play an important role. Several EU funding programs can enable the implementation of NBS or help up-scale projects by providing a way to secure additional funding.
Several informants in the A-DVICE project considered EU-funded projects to be some of the most successful projects they had been involved in. The funding programs can enable initiatives that would otherwise be unviable due to lack of funding. One of the strong advantages often highlighted is the cooperation across sectors, involving both private and public organisations, creating a solid foundation for the execution of the project.
Applying for funding from EU programs are relevant for both national, regional, and local actors, as well as intersectoral cooperation involving numerous actors, both private and public. Some EU funding is also relevant for non-EU parties depending on circumstances and whether they are participating in the specific program. For instance, Iceland is currently (2024) participating in the LIFE Program, and Faroe Islands, Iceland and Norway are associated to Horizon Europe. Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and Åland are all included in one or more Interreg programs.
Examples and Cases
#DENMARK – NBS projects in Denmark successfully implemented with EU funding
There are numerous Nordic examples of successful projects implemented with funding from EU programs. Here is a short description of a couple of Danish projects:
BLUE REEF Kattegat, a LIFE+ nature restoration project:
The Blue Reef project was the first major marine nature restoration project to be carried out in Europe with support from the EU's LIFE funds. The project won the award as the year's best LIFE project. The project dealt with the restoration of the Læsø Trindel reef and was carried out by the Ministry of the Environment, DTU-Aqua and Århus University. The overall purpose of the project was to contribute to the fact that the rock reef there was on the basis of designation for the Natura 2000 area could be brought closer to favorable conservation status. This was partly to be done by stopping the degradation of the rock reef, which was documented by Aarhus University's Novana monitoring, as well as by restoring the previous depth conditions.
Further information:
Seden strand project is part of RECONECT, a Horizon funded Project:
The RECONECT project works to demonstrate, reference and upscale NBS in rural and natural areas. Seden Strandby is one of the demonstrators of the project, which seeks to demonstrate how to combine the interests of minimizing flood risk of the suburban as well as agricultural areas, improving habitats in the area, and conserving the coastal landscape.
Further information:
#SWEDEN – EU funding for NBS projects in Sweden
In Sweden it is possible to apply for financial support for the project application process if the application is for LIFE+ nature and biodiversity program. The funding is managed by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket).
An example of a Swedish project successfully implemented with EU funding is the
LIFE Coast Adapt, a LIFE+ coastal project:
The LIFE Coast Adapt project tested several new, nature-based methods to mitigate the negative effects of coastal erosion while preserving and stimulating biodiversity. The project had an integrated, multifunctional approach through measures applied on land, in the sea and in their transition zone. It utilised a combination of ecosystem-based erosion and flood protection measures, at the same time strengthening the coastal biodiversity ecosystem.
More information here:
Learn more
European Commission overview of funding opportunities for nature-based solutions.
Prior projects, collaboration, publications, tools and databases: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/research-area/environment/nature-based-solutions_enEU Funding Playbook.
Guidance on how to apply for EU funding: https://eufundingplaybook.fi/how-to-apply/European Commission guide on EU funding for beginners.
General information about types of funding and how to find partners: https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/how-apply/you-apply-eu-funding-beginners_enInternational Obligations
SDG 9 -
Industry, Innovation, and InfrastructureSDG 11 –
Sustainable cities and communities SDG 17 –
Global partnershipsEU Adaptation Strategy
: More systemic adaptation: Supporting policy development at all levels and all relevant policy fields; including three cross-cutting priorities to integrate adaptation into: Macro-fiscal policy; Nature-based solutions; and Local adaptation actions.Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework:
Ensure the full integration of biodiversity and its multiple values into policies, regulations, planning and development processes, poverty eradication strategies, strategic environmental assessments, environmental impact assessments and, as appropriate, national accounting, within and across all levels of government and across all sectors, in particular those with significant impacts on biodiversity, progressively aligning all relevant public and private activities, fiscal and financial flows with the goals and targets of this framework.