Focusing on Biodiversity in European Municipalities
Biodiversity conservation continues to be a pressing issue for municipalities across Europe. At the 2025 edition of the “Deltas & Wetlands” symposium in Tulcea, Romania, ICLEI Europe and the Association Verde and Moldova made the case for integrating Nature-based Solutions (NbS) education into biodiversity strategies.
Held from 12 to 16 May, the symposium welcomed around 80 scientists, NbS practitioners, NGOs, entrepreneurs and academics from across Europe and beyond, including participants from China and Egypt.
Policy, Research and Strategic Alignment
The European Commission participated in the symposium, highlighting the relevance of Mission Ocean objectives and providing updates on the upcoming Ocean Pact, expected in June 2025. Throughout the event, discussions and presentations explored a wide range of topics, from biodiversity and ecological restoration to anthropic impacts, research innovations, and system modelling.
Promoting Education Through NBS EduWORLD
ICLEI Europe and Association Verde and Moldova presented insights from the NBS EduWORLD project, emphasising the critical role of education in achieving biodiversity conservation. They highlighted the need for climate-aware curricula, referencing that 94% of EU citizens say protecting the environment matters personally to them, yet many young people feel unprepared for climate-related challenges. The GreenComp framework, introduced by the European Commission to support green competences, was cited as a step forward in this area.
From Local Action to European Collaboration
A selection of practical examples from NBS EduWORLD illustrated how NbS education is being implemented across Europe. These included citizen science activities between Paris and Belgrade using biodiversity card games, greening schoolyards in Zaragoza, tree planting with students in Lykovrysi-Pefki, educational visits in Hungary, and games on biodiversity developed for schools in Bucharest.
The Youth Inclusion Toolkit, created to help municipalities engage with young people on NbS, was also presented. Developed following a hackathon in March 2024, the toolkit complements other EU-funded initiatives such as NetworkNature, COOLSCHOOLS and eNaBlS, strengthening the knowledge base and outreach potential of the NbS education landscape.
Bringing Education into Protected Areas
Association Verde and Moldova shared their work on “greening” curriculum guidelines and setting up learning hubs within the Lower Prut and Danube Delta Biosphere Reserves. Supported by the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe, these efforts involved local schools, communities and teachers in hands-on climate education. Activities aligned with key environmental dates such as World Environment Day and International Cleanup Day, reinforcing the connection between learning and action.
Strengthening Networks and Shared Purpose
The Deltas and Wetlands Symposium 2025 underscored the power of collaboration across borders and sectors. Through shared knowledge, strategic alignment and innovative educational practices, participants demonstrated how NbS can be leveraged to strengthen biodiversity conservation efforts across Europe and beyond.