TeAM HUb – Hungarian Hub for Nature-based Solutions
About this good practice
Professional, technical, financial & operational knowledge on NbS is still scarce in Hungary. TeAM HUb aims to provide a forum for sharing national and international knowledge and experience on NbS, and to stimulate dialogue and cooperation between governmental, municipal, professional and civil actors for the widespread application of NbS. It does so by
collecting & sharing knowledge & information (case studies, resources, articles) (1) in HU language at a dedicated subpage under the NetworkNature website and (2) preferably in HU, but also in EN on our Facebook page
building professional contacts and cooperation, providing knowledge sharing via regular stakeholder (SH) meetings
generating project ideas, identifying funding sources, preparing applications and facilitating other joint initiatives aiming at the preparation, implementation and wider promotion of NbS
The Coordinator of TeAM Hub is BURST Nonprofit Ltd, founding members include the Hungarian Association of Climate-friendly Municipalities. All the below listed type of SHs are involved in TeAM HUb, either as „Advisors” (mainly central government organisations) or „Knowledge providers” (mainly academic & research institutions, experts and professionals from the business sector and civil society), and the Hub remains open and accessible towards „Followers”, with a primary focus on local governments. The owner of the GP, the Hungarian Ministry of Public Administration and Regional Development is an Advisor member.
Resources needed
Regular operation of the Hub, incl. online communication & dissemination, maintaining the network and facilitating internal communication requires ca. 1 FTE from the founding members in total. Events are organised together with Hub partners, thus sharing the corresponding costs and resources.
Evidence of success
After 1 year of operation the below results have been reached – Nr. of:
-SHs, i.e. Advisors & Knowledge Providers who have joined the Hub: 51
-materials published on Network Nature subpage: 21 resources, 10 case studies, 9 public posts/articles
-TeAM HUb Facebook page followers (15.01.2024): 553
-events organised/attended by the Hub: 1 launch event & 6 WSs organised by TeAM HUb, 10 ext events attended by TeAM HUb
-awarded projects co-developed by Hub founding members for the promotion of NbS: 7
Potential for learning or transfer
NbS are still a relatively new concept, and whilst on European / global level there is vast knowledge and resources available, embedding these into national policy framework, legislation and ultimately into practice is still a challenge. Terminology, definitions, applicable NbS and the corresponding planning or permitting procedures differ widely. This has been recognized by the EU funded NetworkNature project, that initiated setting up of Member State and regional NbS Hubs. The goal is to create long-lasting structures for NbS uptake, foster capacity building and knowledge exchange, build relationships and new partnerships, and implement more NbS policy and practices. To date, 6 NetworkNature hubs are launched in collaboration with local partners in the Nordic region, HU, PT, UA, PL, and IT. NetworkNature provides a platform and co-working space to the Hubs, but otherwise remains hands-off, trusting Hubs to develop their structure, financing model and activities.