The first International Civil Society Forum on Nature Finance took place on 18–19 March 2026 at Riddel Hall, Queen’s University Belfast, and concluded with great success. Over two days, the event brought together civil society representatives, researchers, and policymakers through a series of presentations, case studies, and workshops, all aimed at advancing discussions on financing nature restoration.
Day 1: Funding Nature in Practice
The forum opened with engaging presentations focused on financing nature restoration and promoting investment in nature-positive growth. These were followed by insightful case studies from the River Wye, Lough Neagh, and Brazil, illustrating real-world challenges and solutions. The day concluded with a collaborative workshop addressing key concerns from civil society, helping to frame the discussions that followed.
Day 2: Tools, Evidence and Next Steps
The second day focused on practical tools and emerging evidence. Discussions explored Biodiversity Net Gain in England and its potential application across Europe. Participants also examined biodiversity credits and their role in supporting nature restoration finance. A panel discussion provided further depth on these topics.
The programme also featured the BIOFIN-EU Dashboard, designed to strengthen the link between financial mechanisms and nature restoration outcomes. In addition, new insights from Italy were presented, highlighting citizen preferences regarding the funding of restoration initiatives. The forum concluded with interactive workshops that offered practical reflections and outlined key next steps.
We would like to thank all speakers for their insightful contributions, Queen’s University Belfast for the excellent organisation of the event, and the staff of Riddel Hall for their outstanding support.
