As coordinator of the Horizon Europe NATURE-DEMO project, DigInnoCent s.r.o. successfully led the consortium meeting held in Vienna from 17–19 November 2025, bringing together partners from across Europe to review progress achieved during the first 18 months of the project and establish priorities for the next implementation phase.
The meeting represented a significant milestone in the project’s lifecycle. With the majority of methodological foundations now completed, the consortium is entering a phase focused on deploying innovative nature-based solutions (NbS), advancing digital decision-support tools and preparing demonstration activities across Europe.
Reviewing Progress Across the Consortium
During the three-day meeting, DigInnoCent coordinated discussions covering all technical, scientific and management activities. Partners reviewed achievements across the project’s work packages, assessed ongoing challenges and agreed on actions that will ensure the successful delivery of project objectives.
Major achievements during the first 18 months include:
Advancing Scientific Methodologies
The consortium completed the core methodological framework underpinning the project, including:
multi-hazard risk assessment methodologies;
stakeholder engagement methodologies;
field investigations and demonstration site assessments;
advanced geospatial modelling supported by IBM Prithvi technologies.
These foundations establish a common framework for implementing and evaluating nature-based solutions across multiple European regions.
Developing the Digital Support Platform
Significant progress has also been achieved in developing the NATURE-DEMO Digital Support Platform, one of the project’s central innovations.
At the time of the meeting:
the platform had reached approximately 50% completion;
theoretical modelling frameworks had been finalised;
integrated indicators covering climate risk, CAPEX/OPEX assessment and structural stability had been successfully validated.
The platform will support planners, infrastructure managers and public authorities in selecting and evaluating nature-based solutions using harmonised data and evidence-based methodologies.
Preparing Demonstration Sites
Partners also reviewed progress in preparing the project’s demonstration sites.
Key activities included:
completion of conceptual designs for each pilot location;
alignment of monitoring indicators and performance metrics;
initiation of permitting procedures and technical preparation for implementation.
These activities ensure that the project is ready to move from planning towards practical deployment.
Strengthening Communication and Capacity Building
Under DigInnoCent’s coordination, the consortium has also expanded its communication and dissemination activities.
Progress includes:
enhanced stakeholder engagement across participating regions;
development of educational and training materials;
preparation for the 2027 Nature-Based Solutions Conference;
strengthened cooperation with European initiatives and policy networks.
These activities will maximise the project’s long-term impact and support wider uptake of nature-based solutions across Europe.
Expert Perspectives on Future Climate Adaptation
The Vienna meeting also included discussions with the project’s Expert Advisory Panel, whose recommendations will inform future project activities.
Experts highlighted several priorities for the continued development of nature-based solutions:
stronger scientific evidence demonstrating long-term performance;
clearer regulatory frameworks supporting implementation;
integration of multi-hazard climate projections into planning;
long-term monitoring to support replication and large-scale adoption.
These recommendations reinforce the project’s objective of delivering practical, evidence-based solutions capable of supporting climate adaptation across Europe.
Looking Ahead
As coordinator, DigInnoCent will continue leading the consortium through the next implementation phase, focusing on:
completing the Digital Support Platform;
initiating implementation at demonstration sites;
expanding stakeholder engagement and capacity-building activities;
strengthening exploitation and dissemination strategies.
The Vienna consortium meeting confirmed that NATURE-DEMO is successfully transitioning from research and planning towards practical implementation. By coordinating a multidisciplinary consortium of research organisations, public authorities and technology providers, DigInnoCent is helping deliver innovative nature-based solutions that will strengthen Europe’s resilience to climate change.
