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CFAs: Advancing Nature-Based Solutions in Climate and Biodiversity Strategies

Deadline: 16-Apr-2026

The European Commission invites proposals to advance Nature-based Solutions (NbS) by generating robust evidence, methods, and tools to integrate NbS across sectors and enhance climate resilience and biodiversity. Grants of up to €18 million support large-scale pilots, multi-sector collaboration, and the assessment of environmental, social, and economic impacts to enable effective climate adaptation and mitigation.

About the Initiative

This 2026 EU call focuses on strengthening the knowledge base for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and promoting their adoption across sectors such as energy, water management, transport, and urban planning. The initiative supports projects that provide credible evidence on the long-term effectiveness, environmental benefits, and socio-economic impacts of NbS while advancing methods for adaptive design and implementation.

Key Focus Areas

Projects should address the following priorities:

  1. Evidence and Impact Assessment – Evaluate environmental, social, and economic impacts of NbS under diverse climate scenarios.

  2. Integration Across Sectors – Support the adoption of NbS in energy, water, transport, and other sectoral planning processes.

  3. Large-Scale Pilots – Design and implement demonstration projects to test NbS effectiveness in real-world landscapes and seascapes.

  4. Methodological Advancements – Develop tools and approaches to assess NbS viability, scalability, and adaptive potential.

  5. Multi-Actor Collaboration – Engage researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and local stakeholders in co-creation and knowledge transfer.

  6. Risk and Unintended Consequences Management – Evaluate potential trade-offs, environmental risks, and social or economic challenges.

Why It Matters

Nature-based Solutions help tackle biodiversity loss, enhance climate resilience, and create sustainable economic opportunities. By integrating NbS at scale, projects contribute to climate adaptation, ecosystem restoration, sustainable resource management, and informed decision-making. The initiative ensures that NbS adoption is evidence-based, scalable, and socially inclusive.

Who is Eligible?

  • Legal entities, research institutions, universities, SMEs, and consortia from EU and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

  • Multi-disciplinary teams combining environmental science, social sciences, economics, engineering, and policy expertise.

Funding: Total grants up to €18,000,000, with an average grant of approximately €6,000,000 per project.

How to Apply

  1. Check Eligibility – Ensure your organization and team meet Horizon Europe criteria.

  2. Define Objectives – Focus on NbS solutions that provide measurable climate, biodiversity, and socio-economic benefits.

  3. Plan Large-Scale Pilots – Design projects to demonstrate NbS effectiveness in landscapes, seascapes, or urban contexts.

  4. Integrate Multi-Actor Collaboration – Engage policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and local communities.

  5. Assess Impacts and Risks – Include methods to evaluate environmental, social, and economic outcomes, as well as potential trade-offs.

  6. Submit Proposal – Follow Horizon Europe submission procedures and align with EU NbS and climate adaptation priorities.

  7. Evaluation and Funding – Projects assessed on innovation, feasibility, evidence generation, stakeholder engagement, and alignment with EU NbS objectives.

Common Tips for Applicants

  • Focus on measurable, long-term outcomes for climate adaptation and biodiversity.

  • Highlight multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary collaboration.

  • Include tools or methodologies for assessing NbS viability, scalability, and risks.

  • Plan for large-scale pilots that can inform policy and practice.

  • Ensure social and economic considerations are addressed alongside environmental benefits.

FAQs

  1. What are Nature-based Solutions (NbS)? NbS are strategies that use ecosystems and natural processes to address climate, biodiversity, and societal challenges.

  2. Who can apply? Legal entities, universities, research institutions, SMEs, and multi-disciplinary consortia from EU and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

  3. What is the total funding available? Up to €18,000,000, with an average grant of €6,000,000 per project.

  4. Are multi-sector collaborations required? Yes, proposals must demonstrate engagement across relevant sectors and stakeholders.

  5. Do projects need to include pilots? Large-scale demonstration projects are a priority to validate NbS effectiveness and scalability.

  6. What impacts should be measured? Environmental, social, and economic impacts, including biodiversity, climate resilience, and ecosystem benefits.

  7. Is risk assessment necessary? Yes, proposals should evaluate unintended consequences, trade-offs, and potential risks associated with NbS interventions.

Conclusion

The European Commission’s 2026 NbS funding provides opportunities to advance scalable, evidence-based solutions that integrate ecosystems into sectoral planning and decision-making. By supporting multi-disciplinary collaboration, large-scale pilots, and comprehensive impact assessments, funded projects will enhance climate resilience, protect biodiversity, and generate socio-economic benefits across Europe.

For more information, visit European Commission.