Nordlocal – Scaling Nature-Based Solutions through local Nordic Action

Nature-based solutions (NbS) like street trees, rain gardens, and urban meadows are already part of many Nordic cities. The challenge is not whether they work, but how to scale them faster, smarter, and across more places. Nordlocal is about exactly that: turning knowledge into implementation. Funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers, the project brings together municipalities and experts across the Nordic region to accelerate the local uptake of NbS, through collaboration, shared learning, and hands-on testing. The name Nordlocal, reflects the project’s focus on connecting Nordic collaboration with local implementation of nature-based solutions. 

Scaling what already works

Building on previous initiatives such as Yggdrasil – The Living Nordic City, Nordlocal focuses on what comes next: scaling what already works and improving existing solutions. Through a growing Nordic municipal network, NbS Hubs, and a dedicated accelerator for smaller municipalities, the project creates the conditions for peer learning and practical action. 

A learning process

At its core, Nordlocal is a shared learning process. Municipalities learn from each other, test solutions in real-life settings, and adapt them to local needs. From schoolyards and eldercare environments to everyday streets and public spaces, the aim is to make NbS easier to implement where they matter most. 

“The strength of Nordlocal lies in the diversity and expertise of our project group, bringing together practitioners, researchers, and policy actors from across the Nordic region. With the support of the Nordic Council of Ministers, we are able to turn this collective knowledge into concrete action and turn ambition into action for nature-based solutions at the local level.“ Rebecca Averdal, Project Lead, Trädkontoret

Scaling nature-based solutions is not primarily a question of innovation, but of making existing knowledge usable, transferable, and embedded in everyday municipal practice across different local contexts” Johan Östberg, Founder and Vice CEO, Trädkontoret 

Getting to know the team and network 

Nordlocal is carried out by a Nordic consortium that combines practical implementation, research, and policy expertise. 

The project is led by Trädkontoret (The Tree Office Sweden with its sister companies Trekontoret Norway and Treakontoret Denmark), with Ekologigruppen as a key partner focusing on ecology, spatial planning, and communication. The Nature Based Solutions Institute (NBSI) contributes international policy experience, while the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) provides socio-economic analysis of NbS. Research perspectives are brought in by the University of Copenhagen and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), strengthening the scientific foundation of the work. 

Equally important is the Nordic municipal network at the heart of the project. This network connects municipalities of different sizes and contexts, creating a space for exchange, collaboration, and joint problem-solving. It is through this network that Nordlocal becomes more than a project, it becomes a platform for ongoing learning and scaling. 

Key starting points of the project 

At the heart of Nordlocal is a simple but important shift in perspective: nature-based solutions should not be seen as complex or exceptional, but as something that is easy to start, use, and adapt within everyday municipal work. When NbS are treated as practical tools rather than special projects, they become more accessible, and therefore easier to scale. 

This shift is closely linked to how we understand the role of nature in daily life. Well-designed green environments are not only aesthetic additions; they actively support health, resilience, and preparedness. In a Nordic context, where cities face increasing risks related to heat, heavy rainfall, and other climate impacts, NbS become part of the basic infrastructure that helps communities cope, particularly for those most affected, such as children and the elderly. 

Rooted in place

At the same time, Nordlocal emphasises that solutions must be rooted in place. Nordic landscapes, cultural practices, and strong seasonal variation shape how NbS function and are experienced. By combining local knowledge, tradition, and innovation, the project works to ensure that solutions are meaningful, adaptable, and relevant across different contexts. 

These perspectives come together through a strong focus on co-creation. By working hands-on in hubs and through peer learning across the municipal network, Nordlocal lowers the threshold for implementation. Learning becomes something that happens through doing together turning shared experiences into concrete, scalable solutions that can spread across the region. 

Today, the network includes representatives from across the Nordic countries. But it is still growing and we welcome more municipalities and partners who want to be part of this shared effort. 

Read more about how to join Nordlocal