NATURGO

The overall objective of NATURGO is to enhance the strategic governance of nature-based solutions (NbS) in urban water systems by developing knowledge, tools, and processes that help cities plan, implement, and maintain them in an inclusive and effective way. By integrating NbS into the strategic planning cycle, we help cities move from fragmented responses to collaborative, forward-looking strategies.
The work will take place in five partner cities — Piran, Debrecen, Florence, Copenhagen, and Umeå — and will involve:
• Participatory Transition Arena processes that enable multi-actor scenario co-creation.
• Systemic governance diagnostics grounded in multilevel and polycentric theory.
• Use of real-time simulation tools (Urban Nature Explorer & InflowGo) to assess NbS performance, and co-benefits.
• A commitment to inclusive, cross-scale knowledge co-production.
This combination of actions will allow cities to explore credible,  and socially inclusive NbS pathways and embed them in long-term strategies.

Over the next three years, NATURGO will generate actionable insights for mainstreaming and scaling NbS in diverse urban contexts, addressing structural lock-ins and enabling cities to move toward regenerative, socially just, and climate-resilient water systems. Expected results include:
• Improved governance models for integrating NbS into all stages of urban water strategic management.
• Greater municipal capacity to plan, implement, and maintain NbS, including new financing and insurance options.
• Evidence-based, inclusive decision-making processes that ensure benefits for all social groups.
• Policy and practice recommendations, including a Handbook on nature-based water governance toward more resilient cities.