Finland
References
Find advice with examples from Finland here:
Collaborate with research institutions and other knowledge-producing actors
Promoting engagement and collaboration with local research institutes and other knowledge-producing actors such as NGOs can lead to better understanding of NBS impacts and wider outreach.
Collaborations across municipalities with common challenges
To overcome challenges with lack of resources, time, or expertise to apply NBS, municipalities with common challenges should utilise existing arenas for collaboration.
Develop guidelines for stakeholder involvement in NBS projects
Guidelines on how to design and conduct good stakeholder involvement in NBS projects can improve and streamline these processes, and that they become a routine in NBS projects in the long-term.
Engage schools and youth in NBS activities
Engaging youth in NBS education and activities has much potential and can benefit the youth, as well as educate them in more sustainable practices which they can apply later in their adult life.
Establish a common NBS resource platform
Gathering knowledge and inspiration can be time-consuming. A common online NBS resource platform can support civil servants, planners and decision-makers when scoping, planning, and implementing NBS.
Establish interdisciplinary networks within public administrations
Interdisciplinary networks on specific NBS-related topics such as stormwater management or natural hazards can lead to a more cohesive and effective implementation of measures.
Facilitate monitoring and documenting the effects of NBS
Systems to assess the multiple short- and long-term benefits of NBS enable improvement and scalability of NBS initiatives.
Guidance and strategies for plant selection in NBS
Providing guidance regarding plant selection in restoration and protection oriented NBS can underpin the protection of local biodiversity and limit spreading of harmful, invasive species.
Including traditional knowledge in nature management
Integrating traditional knowledge when working with NBS can foster sustainable land management, deepen ecological insight, and strengthen biodiversity.
Integrating NBS in national land-use planning policy
Integrating NBS in national planning policy enables and encourages municipalities to include NBS in their municipal master plans, zoning plans and other important planning documents.
Integrating NBS in strategies for health and recreational areas
Recreational areas for human health and well-being can be the first step of introducing NBS in the urban and rural contexts.
Involving citizens through community programmes for NBS
Citizen engagement through community-based programmes, citizen science and NBS activities helps spreading awareness, contribute to social learning and gain confidence in NBS actions.
Promote cross-sectoral collaboration and partnerships with industry and private actors
Overcoming sectoral silos and fostering interdisciplinary efforts between municipalities/regions, industries and private sector are key for NBS policies to succeed.
Stormwater fees supporting NBS for stormwater management
Adopting or adapting stormwater fees, or water utility fees, can secure funding for nature-based solutions for stormwater management.
Training programs for contractors
Including NBS in education relevant for becoming a contractor, or promoting in-service training on NBS for these professionals, can promote appropriate use and quality of NBS in construction projects