New interactive database of policy instruments for nature-based solutions

Being developed as part of the INTERLACE project, the UGA was officially launched on 11 May at the INTERLACE Cities Talk Nature Conference in Chemnitz. It is the first database of its kind and will allow users to explore a different kinds of policy instruments being applied across the world, especially those coming from countries in the European Union (EU) and the Community of Latin America and Caribbean States (CELAC).

The interactive design invites policymakers, urban planners, researchers, civil society organizations, and others to explore and learn more about what made the instruments successful, lessons learned in their design and implementation, and their approaches to governance.

There are many different types of policy instruments that can support nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration. The Urban Governance Atlas organises policy instruments into four categories: legislative, regulatory and strategic instruments; economic and fiscal instruments; agreement-based or cooperative instruments; and knowledge, communication and innovation instruments. Good practice examples have been included in the Atlas across these categories, i.e. policy instruments that are inclusive, effective, serve multiple functions, sustainable in the long-term, locally appropriate, replicable, innovative and/or financially viable.

Users can search for the policy instruments that are most relevant to their context or interests through an advanced filtering system (e.g. by type of instrument, region, or challenges addressed). All content is available in both English and Spanish, with more languages to come.

The Urban Governance Atlas allows to discover how urban resilience, biodiversity, and social inclusion are being enhanced through policy. Anyone interested can contact the INTERLACE team via the contact form on the website to find out how to add a new policy instrument to the Atlas.

Visit the Urban Governance Atlas