The transition to a nature-positive economy isn’t just an environmental imperative—it’s an economic opportunity that’s gaining momentum across Europe. GoNaturePositive!, a collaborative initiative backed by the European Commission, is dedicated to accelerating awareness and transformative action towards a nature-positive economy amongst policymakers, investors, businesses and wider society. The recent partners meeting in Italy demonstrated how this collaborative innovation is turning vision into actionable reality.
From Milan to Valsugana: Three Days of Strategic Collaboration
Over three intensive days, researchers, policymakers, and industry practitioners converged in Milan and the Valsugana valley in Trentino region to advance the GoNaturePositive programme. This initiative addresses key systemic challenges through research, demonstration and transformational leadership, working towards a comprehensive framework for nature-positive economic transformation.
The programme’s mission centres on four key objectives:
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Delivering a clear definition and conceptual framework for the nature-positive economy
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Creating a roadmap that identifies policy and governance pathways
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Demonstrating how nature-positive practices can generate multiple benefits for people and the planet
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Harnessing the commitment of an Impact Board of multiplier networks towards achieving a long-term shared vision
The project’s approach is notably comprehensive, spanning multiple sectors including forestry, sustainable tourism, food systems, green buildings, and the blue economy. This cross-sectoral methodology reflects the interconnected nature of environmental and economic challenges.
Day One: Establishing the Framework
Milan hosted opening sessions focused on metrics, indicators, and transition priorities—building on the project’s commitment to connecting knowledge, tools, and people committed to change. Panel discussions explored the essential role of policy frameworks in enabling nature-positive economic activities, whilst participants engaged in substantive dialogue about practical implementation tools and the importance of place-based innovation approaches.
The hybrid format accommodated both in-person and online participation, facilitating broader engagement across geographical boundaries. This accessibility approach underscores the project’s commitment to inclusive collaboration.
Day Two: From Theory to Practice
The second day concentrated on Work Package 1, establishing economic baselines for pilot projects and defining nature-positive economic activities at both European and landscape scales. Interactive workshops enabled pilot leads to examine current practices and identify opportunities for transformation.
Key workshop themes included:
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Identifying activities that currently have positive and negative impact on natural ecosystems
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Mapping existing regenerative and restorative practices
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Defining transformative change within diverse regional and sectorial contexts
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Understanding the spectrum from harm reduction to full ecological regeneration
The day concluded with a visit to Arte Sella, a certified sustainable tourism site where art, culture, and environmental stewardship intersect. This practical example illustrated how creative industries can contribute to nature-positive economic models.
Day Three: Strategic Alignment and Future Planning
The final day focused on collaborative planning and strategy refinement. Participants engaged in shared reflection sessions and alignment activities, strengthening partnerships and clarifying next steps across the programme.
Recognising Local Leadership
The event highlighted the valuable contributions of local hosts Etifor and Azienda per il Turismo Valsugana – Lagorai. Their work in sustainable tourism, including certification through the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), provides practical examples of nature-positive economic activities in action.
These partnerships demonstrate how local expertise and global frameworks can combine to create scalable solutions.
A Programme with Clear Purpose and Direction
“Our goal is to accelerate awareness and transformative action towards a nature-positive economy amongst policy makers, investors, businesses and wider society.”
The project’s comprehensive approach encompasses multiple stakeholder groups and sectors, recognising that systemic transformation requires coordinated effort across traditional boundaries. This collaborative methodology reflects the understanding that achieving a nature-positive economy demands both top-down policy frameworks and bottom-up innovation.
Key Takeaways
The Italy gathering reinforced several important principles:
Place-based solutions matter. While frameworks can be shared, implementation must account for local contexts, resources, and communities.
Collaboration accelerates progress. The combination of academic research, policy expertise, and practical implementation creates more robust and viable solutions.
Measurement enables management. Developing clear metrics and indicators for nature-positive activities is fundamental to scaling impact.
Looking Forward
GoNaturePositive! represents an ambitious but necessary approach to economic transformation, backed by European Commission support and driven by a clear mission to address key systemic challenges. As participants returned from Italy, they carried with them refined strategies, strengthened partnerships, and renewed commitment to systemic change.
The work ahead involves translating insights into practical applications across diverse pilot projects, continuing to build the evidence base for nature-positive economic models, and demonstrating scalable pathways for broader adoption. With the project’s focus on engaging policymakers, investors, businesses and wider society, the potential for meaningful impact extends well beyond the research community.
This collaborative approach to economic transformation offers hope that we can create systems that genuinely serve both human prosperity and environmental health. The Italy event was one important step in that journey.
