Capturing the Values and Making the Business Case for Nature-Based Solutions - a step by step guide

This guide is designed for anyone involved in or advocating for the planning, proposition, and implementation of Nature-based solutions (NBS) in urban and peri-urban areas.

Who Can Use This Guide?

• Citizens and community groups who want to implement NBS within their block, neighborhood, or beyond.
• City councils or municipal departments responsible for urban planning.
• NGOs and local organizations focused on sustainable urban development.

The guide aims to facilitate NBS adoption in urban areas by highlighting the economic and non-monetary benefits these solutions offer to communities and ecosystems. It provides step-by-step instructions and tools to help users capture and communicate the value of NBS, enabling them to build a comprehensive "Valorization Case." This case is intended to secure necessary support for NBS initiatives, including funding.

The resulting Valorization Case can be used to gain support from:

• Funders: This includes public authorities, private foundations, and businesses that can provide financial support for NBS projects.
• Decision-makers: Such as mayors, city councils, public officials, and planning departments who have the authority to authorize, approve, or facilitate the implementation of NBS initiatives.
• Local communities: Including residents and community groups who are directly impacted by NBS projects and whose support is crucial for the relevance and long-term sustainability of these initiatives.

The methods proposed in this guide have been tested in five cities as part of the Conexus project: Barcelona, Lisbon, Turin, Lima, and Buenos Aires.

Konijnendijk, C., Di Cagno, F., Borelli, S., Wild, T.