Renature: Promoting research excellence in nature-based solutions for innovation, sustainable economic growth and human well-being

MCAST will be launching the EU-funded Horizon 2020 Renature project on 25 October. Renature aims to establish and implement a strategy and research cluster to step-up and stimulate scientific excellence and innovation capacity in the area of nature-based solutions for sustainable development.

Nature-based solutions, defined as living solutions that address societal challenges in a resource-efficient and adaptable manner and to provide simultaneously economic, social, and environmental benefits, are a priority for the key priority for the European Union research and innovation agenda.

Renature will establish twinning between the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology as the coordinator of the project, and internationally leading research institutions from other member states. The proposed activities include various types of postgraduate training and networking events aimed at building up the research capacity and at promoting research excellence in the field of nature-based solutions.

The research team is composed of three leading research intensive institutions within this rapidly developing field and one private entity, that is the Trinity College Dublin (Ireland); University of Trento (Italy); University of East Anglia (United Kingdom) and Pensoft Publishers (Bulgaria). The project team possesses multidisciplinary skills and complementary knowledge, which is considered as being critical to offer new nature-based solutions for sustainable development.

This collaboration is expected to offer MCAST an opportunity to increase the research capacity within this sector, link up with existing initiatives and projects led by, or receiving input from, the researchintensive institutions, develop a national research cluster with strong international collaborations, and provide practical solutions based on cutting-edge science and developed through international collaboration.

The kick-off meeting of the Renature project will be held on 25 October at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology in Paola. The public and interested stakeholders are invited to join the stakeholders meeting for an open discussion about the project, its objectives and the development of a network of researchers, practitioners and interested members of the public.

Kindly book your place by sending an email to Judita. Tomaskinova@mcast.edu.mt