Co-creating nature-based solutions with commonly excluded stakeholders

Insights from practice and research

This report, developed within NetworkNature+ Task Force 6 on Co-Creation and Governance, highlights the persistent exclusion of commonly excluded stakeholders (CES)—such as marginalised communities, migrants, Indigenous peoples, youth, older adults, and those facing socio-economic vulnerabilities—from the co-creation of nature-based solutions (NbS). 

Inclusivity is shown to be essential for NbS to be legitimate, effective, and sustainable, yet CES often remain sidelined due to power asymmetries, structural disadvantages, rigid project cycles, and a lack of trust. Drawing on survey findings and an expert workshop, the report examines key barriers and synthesises practical approaches and measures that can enable meaningful participation and provides diverse illustrative examples.

From these insights, the report distils eight guiding principles for inclusive NbS co-creation, emphasising intentional inclusion, trust-building, flexibility, equity and recognition, cultural sensitivity, and long-term commitment. The central message is that inclusion of CES is not a one-off step, but a continuous commitment across the NbS lifecycle.

• Corporate author(s): Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (European Commission) 
• Personal authors: Davis, McKenna ;  Burgos Cuevas, Natalia ;  De Vreese, Rik ;  Lupp, Gerd ;  Maestre-Andrés, Sara ;  Xidous, Dimitra ;  Zingraff-Hamed, Aude ; graff-Hamed, Aude