NWO Supports Nature-Based Solutions with €3.4 Million for Biodiversity and Well-Being Research

NWO Supports Nature-Based Solutions with €3.4 Million for Biodiversity and Well-Being Research

(IN BRIEF) The Dutch Research Council (NWO) has allocated €3.4 million to ten projects under the BiodivNBS programme to advance Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) addressing biodiversity loss, human well-being, and societal transformation. These projects are part of the larger Biodiversa+ programme, with total funding of €19.6 million, focused on sustainable ecosystem management and biodiversity restoration. The selected projects, including ten with Dutch participation, explore key mechanisms for implementing effective NbS. Biodiversa+ aligns with the European Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and is supported by Horizon Europe, aiming to reverse biodiversity loss and drive innovation in policy and society.

(PRESS RELEASE) THE HAGUE, 26-Nov-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The Dutch Research Council (NWO) has allocated €3.4 million to support ten innovative research projects focusing on nature-based solutions (NbS) for biodiversity, human well-being, and transformative societal change. These projects, part of the broader BiodivNBS programme, contribute to a total funding pool of €19.6 million, addressing biodiversity loss and fostering sustainable ecosystems.

Advancing Nature-Based Solutions

A central goal of the European Union is the restoration of biodiversity, with the Biodiversa+ programme playing a pivotal role. The programme defines Nature-Based Solutions as strategies to conserve, restore, and sustainably manage ecosystems—ranging from terrestrial to marine—while tackling social, economic, and environmental challenges. These solutions aim to enhance human well-being, ecosystem resilience, and biodiversity.

The Biodiversa+ third call focused on exploring biodiversity’s role in implementing Nature-Based Solutions, examining factors such as tipping points, trade-offs, and mechanisms to ensure their effectiveness in fostering societal transformation.

Highlights of the Call

Out of 183 pre-proposals and 108 full applications, 34 projects were selected for funding by European institutions, requesting a total of €36.6 million. Ten of these projects feature Dutch researchers, several of whom are coordinating their initiatives.

Dutch-Led Projects

Below are the ten Dutch-led projects receiving funding, demonstrating the Netherlands’ active contribution to biodiversity research:

• ARE BEST NbS – Dr. Karlijn van den Broek (UU)
• BIODIVECITY – Dr. Constantianus Koenraadt (WUR)
• Biodiversity2Drugs – Dr. Jeroen Kool (VU)
• DEFENDBIO – Dr. Diana Vela Almeida (UU)
• emBrace – Dr. Mario Torralba (VU)
• FairNature – Dr. Marije Schaafsma (VU)
• FOUNDATIONAL – Prof. Pablo Tittonell (RUG)
• RiVIVE – Dr. Jaime Hoogsteger (WUR)
• SaltyBEATS – Dr. Katarzyna Negacz (VU)
• Wilding Grasslands – Dr. Marjanneke Vijge (UU)

About Biodiversa+

Biodiversa+ is a European partnership aimed at advancing impactful biodiversity research to influence policy and society. Launched in 2021, it forms a key pillar of the European Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, which seeks to reverse biodiversity loss by the end of the decade. The partnership involves collaboration between BiodivERsA, the European Commission, and other stakeholders, supporting thematic research with far-reaching implications.

Horizon Europe and Partnerships

This initiative is part of Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme for 2021-2027. Co-funded European partnerships under Horizon Europe address complex societal challenges, driving transformative impact through targeted research.

For further details on the selected projects, visit the Biodiversa website.

About Biodiversa+

Biodiversa+ is the European partnership focused on biodiversity to support excellent research with an impact for policy and society. It was jointly developed by BiodivERsA and the European Commission (DG Research & Innovation and DG Environment) and officially launched on 1 October 2021. Biodiversa+ is part of the European Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 which aims to reverse the current loss of biodiversity in Europe towards recovery by 2030.

About European Partnerships

The European co-funded partnerships are part of Horizon Europe, the European programme for research and innovation (2021-2027). The partnerships focus on complex societal challenges and aim at real impact. The calls resulting from the European partnerships lead to thematic research.

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Email: nwo@nwo.nl

Source: NWO