NBS Preparatory Workshop

Held on January 29th, The SONATA Digital Preparatory Workshop served as a crucial starting point for the upcoming two-day physical workshop in Novi Sad on February 25–26. This online session was designed by experts Tessa Bahiga Bargmann and Berit Köhler, to introduce participants to Nature-based Solutions and Living Labs, and ensure they are well-prepared for the hands-on discussions and activities planned for the physical gathering.

Aims of the workshop were to provide an overview of the key concepts that will be explored in depth during the physical workshop, as well as to facilitate early engagement, allowing participants to contribute their ideas and perspectives in advance.

Overview of the SONATA’s NBS Preparatory Workshop:

10:00–10:15 | Welcome and Introduction

• Introduction to the work package and the purpose of the workshop.
• Overview of the digital and physical workshops: objectives, structure, and expectations.

10:15–10:35 | Nature-based Solutions (NbS) (Tessa Bargmann)

• Definition and key principles of NbS.
• Real-world examples of NbS.
• NbS case studies within the SONATA project.

10:35–10:50 | Q&A on Nature-based Solutions

• Open discussion to clarify concepts and address participant questions.

10:50–11:30 | Living Labs and Stakeholder Mapping (Berit Köhler)

• Understanding Living Labs: purpose and setup.
• Key considerations for establishing a Living Lab.
• Best practices for stakeholder mapping and engagement.

11:30–11:40 | Q&A on Living Labs

• Open discussion for questions and clarifications.

11:40–12:00 | Preparation for the Physical Workshop

• Discussion on expectations for the Novi Sad workshop.
• Identifying key stakeholders and their roles.
• Selecting focus areas for NbS within SONATA.
• Defining the structure of the SONATA Living Lab: internal, external, or hybrid?

For the end, participants were asked to write a year when they first heard the term “Nature-based Solutions” in their scientific career. SONATA team includes professionals with over 12 years of experience in NbS, as well as those who are just beginning to explore the concept alongside the project!