As part of the NN Lab project entitled “NbS 101 for Hungarian Journalists”, BURST – coordinator of the Hungarian NetworkNature NbS Hub called „TeAM HUB” - organised a Masterclass aimed at equipping journalists with the knowledge and tools to report effectively on NbS and solution-oriented climate stories. The session, delivered in Hungarian, provided participants with practical insights into:
- The key concepts and terminology of Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
- Trusted sources and local examples of NbS initiatives
- The principles of solution journalism and storytelling
- The environmental psychological background and aspects of NbS
The event brought together around 25 journalists, communication experts, and NbS practitioners for a lively and inspiring day of exchange. The discussions on psychological and science communication aspects proved to be particularly engaging conversation starters, sparking reflection on how emotions, narratives, and evidence can work together in environmental storytelling. It was an energising and thought-provoking gathering, showcasing the power of collaboration between NbS experts, communicators, the media and psychologists in shaping public understanding of nature and climate action.
“People tend to listen to peers and fellow citizens even more than to experts,” one participant reflected. “That’s why combining journalism with social media communication can be so powerful.”
A crucial ingredient for creating engaging stories about NbS is to find the human aspect: the people who are involved, impacted, and can share their experiences. Their voices bring these stories to life. The masterclass shows the importance of using diverse communication formats to reach different audiences. Participants emphasised that effective storytelling goes beyond traditional journalism. It should also embrace social media channels and influencer collaborations to connect with younger and more general audiences.
The event is part of a broader effort to build the capacity of local journalists and foster high-quality, context-sensitive reporting on nature and climate issues. It also represents a unique clustering endeavor, drawing on the outcomes of the NbS EduWorld project and the NbS Design Guide.
By empowering media professionals to tell more engaging and solution-focused stories, the initiative supports greater public understanding and visibility of Nature-based Solutions across Hungary.
Author: Lili Jakobovits, BURST