During last month’s partner meeting in Thyborøn, Denmark, our partners joined forces in several interesting workshops, to exceed our work packages and share knowledge and expertise. In this article we reflect on the content of the workshops, the lessons learned, and the key insights that we will carry forward into the next phase of this project.
NBS Mainstreaming Workshop
During the first workshop our partners took part in an interactive workshop focused on developing a generic strategy. The aim was to explore how insights from the 14 individual mainstreaming strategies can be brought together into one shared approach and investigate what a shared generic strategy should look like. In small groups, the participants discussed when a generic strategy is successful, what is needed to achieve this, which elements are essential, and what should be avoided.
The discussions highlighted that a strong generic strategy should function as a compass rather than a strict guideline. It should inspire new thinking and allow flexibility across different contexts. Participants emphasized the importance of storytelling, learning from both successes and failures, and clearly defining roles and spheres of influence.
All partners actively contributed and concluded the workshop by identifying how they can support the generic strategy. The outcomes will serve as a foundation for the generic strategy, thereby supporting the mainstreaming of nature‑based solutions.
Learning Processes Workshop
What are the most meaningful learning experiences happening within MANABAS? That was the central question of this workshop, jointly organised by WP2 and WP3 and facilitated by Lisa van Well (SGI), Vana Tsimopoulou, Chiu Cheng (HZ University of Applied Sciences), and Berry Gersonius (RWS), with learning forming the backbone of WP3's work on capacity building.
All MANABAS partners present at the Thyborøn meeting participated, bringing together a rich diversity of perspectives. Through structured templates and group pitches, our partners reflected on how learning takes place across the project. From site visits and field exchanges to how-to groups, role play, and informal conversations over coffee. Key themes included the importance of building a shared language, bridging diverse governance systems, and ensuring that learning moves beyond individuals so that it is embedded within organisations.
Findings will be used to shape activities in WP2, WP3, and future partnership work. So that we steer the consortium toward richer learning at individual, organisational, and community levels.
Capacity Building Instruments Workshop
Our third work package hosted a 90-minute workshop on Capacity Building Instruments (CBIs), facilitated by Vana Tsimopoulou and Chiu Cheng (HZ University of Applied Sciences). All partners worked in breakout groups across four CBI categories: visual material, process/interactive tools, reading material, and unstructured interaction. They reflected on instruments used in their pilots: from infographics, story maps and factsheets to living labs, role-play formats, citizen science initiatives, and guidelines. The goal was to refine and expand a joint CBI inventory grounded in real consortium experience. We discovered that most CBIs are not standalone tools but work best as part of a broader communication or engagement strategy.
The results will feed directly into the development of a strategy for the use of CBIs, supporting the NBS mainstreaming journey across the diverse organisations and areas of the North Sea Region.