How the programme is organised

The network is organised as a development programme in 2026 and 2027 with a focus on networking, capacity building, and strengthening municipalities’ ability to work with the global biodiversity targets in a local government framework.

The network brings together 15–20 selected municipalities and biosphere reserves from across the Nordic region based on experience, ambition, and organisational capacity.

The work is grounded in the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and the aim is that the network will develop a municipal “translation” that makes the global goals operational in Nordic planning and management.

Experiences from the network will be presented in international arenas, including COP17 in 2026, and summarised at a final Nordic conference in autumn 2027. Participating municipalities will thus become part of a collaboration with both Nordic and global visibility.

 

Participants will join a structured and committed development programme that includes:
  •   collaboration supported by the Nordic Council of Ministers
  •   a professionally ambitious learning community
  •   joint method development with international reference
  •   a network in which the municipalities set the direction

At the same time, the network forms a development process in which municipalities contribute, learn, and help define new standards for local biodiversity practice.

Included in the programme

The programme runs throughout 2026–2027 and begins with a joint Nordic kick-off, followed by two parallel and interconnected tracks, and concludes with a final Nordic conference.

Nordic Kickoff

A joint nordic kick-off seminar brings together all participants across the Nordic Network.

The session focuses on:
  • programme and participant introductions
  • a shared understanding of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF)
  • translating global biodiversity goals into local contexts
  • introduction to indicators and the overall approach

TRACK 1  - a development track

 

Global Biodiversity Goals in Municipal Reality

Track 1 consists of four webinars focusing on the “translation” of biodiversity targets - meaning a meaningful interpretation and a shared terminology - along with an indicator framework adapted to municipal realities.

As part of this track, several crossmunicipal mini pilot projects will be carried out with participation from network members. The purpose is to foster learning, innovation, and new knowledge, as well as to test and qualify the indicator framework.

TRACK 2 - a thematic learning track

 

Thematic Network Meetings with a Focus on Biodiversity

Track 2 consists of six thematic network meetings addressing key themes relevant to municipal biodiversity work.

The thematic learning track will address topics such as:
  • landuse planning and nature restoration
  • local citizen involvement
  • citizen science, knowledge, and research
  • naturebased solutions
  • linking climate and biodiversity efforts

The meetings will include expert presentations, facilitated discussions, knowledge exchange, and inspiration from biosphere areas. The work takes place primarily online and is designed to fit into daytoday municipal operations. English will be the working language of the network.

 Final Nordic Conference 

At the Final Nordic Conference in autumn 2027, the pilot projects will serve as flagships in communicating documented experiences and ‘next practice’ examples.

Commitments for Network Participants

  • taking part in the common Nordic kickoff
  • attending the four Track 1 webinars (June 2026, August 2026, January 2027, May 2027)
  • participating in at least one mini pilot project (mid 2026 to mid 2027)
  • contributing to at least four thematic network meetings under Track 2 (June 2026–October 2027)
  • attending the final conference (Q4 2027)