Enhancing the introduction of nature based solutions to deal with water-related risks using participatory approaches

The increasing frequency and magnitude of water-related risks is causing growing concerns but, at the same time, raising the awareness of decision-makers about the need to identify and implement innovative strategies for adaptation and risk reduction. Traditional approaches based on ‘grey’ infrastructures are being gradually integrated, or even replaced, by Nature Based Solutions (NBS), which are increasingly promoted at EU level and beyond, mainly due to their potential for producing additional positive impacts (i.e. the co-benefits) in multiple fields, besides the reduction of risk levels. However, several barriers still exist, mainly in terms of knowledge and awareness of the potential of NBS. The present work, which is being carried out within the H2020 funded project NAIAD, aims at proposing a process, mainly based on participatory approaches, for supporting a bottom-up identification and co-design of a suitable set of NBS to deal with water related risks. Starting from the analysis of stakeholders’ risk perception through Fuzzy Cognitive Maps and the identification of their main risk management goals, a set of potential co-benefits is identified, and a workshop used to identify the most effective set of NBS in order to produce them. Detailed results are provided for the Lower Danube case study.