The LILY COST Action workshop was held at the University of Primorska, Izola, Slovenia, on May 8 and 9, 2025, bringing together participants from Working Group 3.
Working Group 3 focuses on building a Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) – Health network and data platform. A strong delegation from Heidelberg University’s Eco-epidemiology and Climate-Sensitive Infectious Diseases Lab (CSIDlab) at the Heidelberg Planetary Health Hub contributed to the workshop, fostering cross-institutional engagement and research development. The event hosted 16 participants in person and 7 online, representing various institutions from 7 different EU countries.
Hosted by the Department of Biodiversity at the University of Primorska, the workshop aimed to co-design a shared conceptual structure for a European NbS-Health platform. The envisioned database will support researchers, decision-makers, and practitioners in identifying, assessing, and scaling up health-relevant nature-based interventions. Workshop activities included group discussions, design charrettes, and stakeholder mapping exercises.
Key topics explored included defining the objectives of the database, envisioning a wide range of potential database users, identifying NbS typologies and relevant data sources, and determining desired database functionalities. Real-world scenarios were presented to demonstrate how the platform might be used—for example, in identifying effective heat mitigation strategies, assessing ecological restoration outcomes, or integrating green infrastructure into public health planning.
On Day 2, participants refined the proposed database structure and functionalities. Discussions focused on intuitive platform design, accessibility, and multilingual usability. Participants also discussed the action communication plan and outlined next steps.
Before concluding the workshop, participants visited the InnoRenew CoE building, a great example of sustainable architectural innovation and NbS implementation. The visit, led by Dr. Mike Burnard, offered insights into wood-based regenerative design and stakeholder integration.
The outcomes from the LILY COST Action workshops in both Heidelberg and Izola will contribute to future publications, research collaborations, and practical applications aimed at building healthier, more resilient communities through the implementation of nature-based solutions.
For more details about the LILY COST Action, visit the official webpage: LILY COST Action
For open calls and more information on how to participate in LILY COST Action, visit: Open Calls
