NATURE-DEMO aims to achieve the following SMART Objectives

NATURE-DEMO will collect and categorize nature-based solutions (NbS) for climate resilience of critical infrastructure, evaluating them based on technical, environmental, economic, legal, and social aspects. Each solution will be parameterized to enable predictive AI models and included in a detailed catalogue with SWOT analysis.

(KPIs) (Relevant Deliverables: D1.1, D1.2)

• Analyze 60 existing NbS in Europe.

• Create a final catalogue with 30 NbS.

• Extrapolate >5 key features per NbS.

• Interview >20 experts.

• Prepare 5 co-aspect outlines for NbS.

• Conduct 10 community workshops.

• Promote long-term social innovation and stakeholder engagement.

Actions will be conducted in WP1, led by ANRI.

The project involves experienced partners and aims to integrate NbS into a digital platform for infrastructure resilience planning.

The development of this approach will be completed by Month 24 of the project.

NATURE-DEMO will validate its methodology for prioritizing NbS (O1) and its digital solution (O2) through specific case scenarios. Five locations within the Alpine biogeographic region have been selected, encompassing diverse infrastructure sectors such as transportation, green infrastructure, and hydropower systems. These demonstrators will address climatic threats including floods, settlement, landslides, and wildfire. The results will validate and refine the project’s methodology and digitally-enabled NbS, facilitating replication in other regions.

(KPIs) (Relevant Deliverables: D3.1, D3.2, D3.3, D3.4)

• Deploy five NbS monitored to provide quantitative performance and climate-resilience impact assessments.

• Utilize state-of-the-art methodology for impact assessment tailored to each NbS technology.

• Achieve >90% progress in the implementation schedule for each demonstrator.

Demonstrators will be prepared in WP3 and deployed in WP4, led by TUZVO and BOKU, respectively.

The five demonstrators build on existing collaborations between project partners and local authorities or infrastructure owners. For instance, the demonstrator site in Austria has been a testbed for NbS with over 20 years of historic data, involving collaboration with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions, and Water Management (BML) and BOKU.

Demonstrators will start early, by month 6 (M6) of the project (WP3), to allow sufficient time for preparation, monitoring, and impact assessment. Deployment will continue in WP4, concluding by month 48 (M48).

NATURE-DEMO will map and engage stakeholders from regions, authorities, and communities to share knowledge and involve them in the project. This will involve creating a participatory mechanism, organizing tailored events, and implementing co-design and co-creation processes. The project will focus on open communication and effective dissemination to highlight the value of NbS for climate adaptation and resilience. Additionally, the project will establish linkages with European platforms such as Climate-ADAPT and participate in related European missions to align with broader climate adaptation goals.

(KPIs) (Relevant Deliverables: D6.1, D6.2, D6.3, D6.4, D6.5, D6.6, D6.7)

• Create a categorized database of at least 500 stakeholders in the first year, increasing by 10% annually.

• Organize over 10 tailored events with an attendance expectation of >60% from invitees.

• Establish focus groups with at least 5 actively engaged stakeholders, increasing by 20% annually.

Major activities will take place in WP6, led by UTBV.

The project consortium includes partners with strong local engagement and outreach capabilities, ensuring effective communication, dissemination, and capacity building tied to practical strategies.

This objective spans the entire project duration, from month 1 (M1) to month 48 (M48).