Case Study Submission Guidelines
Join our global community in building the world's most comprehensive open knowledge base for Nature-based Solutions
User-Driven
Every case study is contributed by practitioners like you, creating a rich, diverse knowledge base built by the community, for the community.
API Accessible
All approved case studies are immediately available through our REST API, enabling researchers, developers, and organizations to integrate NbS data into their applications.
Freely Shared
Your contribution helps accelerate global climate action by making proven solutions discoverable and replicable worldwide.
Your Impact: When you submit a case study, you're not just sharing a story—you're contributing to a structured, searchable, API-accessible database that powers research, policy decisions, and new NbS implementations globally.
The IUCN Global Standard provides a framework of 8 criteria and 28 indicators to design, verify, and scale up Nature-based Solutions. When submitting your case study, please consider how your project addresses these criteria:
Societal Challenges
Addresses specific environmental or social challenges
Design at Scale
Designed considering landscape/seascape context
Biodiversity Net Gain
Results in measurable biodiversity benefits
Economic Viability
Economically feasible and sustainable
Inclusive Governance
Based on transparent, participatory processes
Balanced Trade-offs
Equitably balances multiple benefits and goals
Adaptive Management
Managed based on evidence and monitoring
Mainstreaming & Sustainability
Integrated into policy and long-term planning
Learn more about the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions
Basic Information
- • Project title and summary
- • Location (city, country, region)
- • Ecosystem type (coastal, urban, forest, etc.)
- • Project duration and timeline
Challenge & Solution
- • Specific societal challenge addressed
- • Nature-based solution implemented
- • Implementation approach and methods
- • Key partners and stakeholders
Measurable Outcomes
- • Environmental impacts (quantified)
- • Biodiversity improvements
- • Carbon sequestration (if applicable)
- • Social and economic benefits
Replicability Data
- • Budget range and funding sources
- • Number of beneficiaries
- • Key success factors and lessons learned
- • Contact information for follow-up
Clear Problem Statement (IUCN Criterion 1)
Describe the specific environmental or social challenge your project addressed. Include context about the location, affected communities, and why this problem needed solving.
Detailed Solution Description (IUCN Criterion 2)
Explain what nature-based solution you implemented, why you chose it, and how it works at the landscape scale. Include technical details that others can learn from.
Measurable Biodiversity & Environmental Outcomes (IUCN Criterion 3)
Provide quantifiable results for biodiversity, ecosystem health, and environmental impacts. Include specific numbers, species counts, and timeframes.
Economic Viability & Social Benefits (IUCN Criteria 4 & 6)
Demonstrate economic sustainability and social impacts. Include job creation, livelihood improvements, and cost-benefit analysis.
Inclusive Governance & Stakeholder Engagement (IUCN Criterion 5)
Describe how local communities, indigenous peoples, and stakeholders were involved in decision-making and implementation.
Adaptive Management & Monitoring (IUCN Criterion 7)
Share how you monitored progress, what adjustments you made based on evidence, and lessons learned. Honesty about challenges helps others.
Mainstreaming & Long-term Sustainability (IUCN Criterion 8)
Explain how the project is integrated into local/national policies, funding mechanisms, and long-term management plans.
Recommended
- •High-resolution photos (min 1920×1080px) showing before/after
- •Photos of the ecosystem, implementation process, and community involvement
- •Maps showing project location and scale
- •Monitoring data charts (biodiversity, carbon, water quality)
- •Links to published reports, scientific papers, or project websites
- •IUCN self-assessment results (if available)
Avoid
- •Low-resolution or blurry images
- •Copyrighted images without permission
- •Marketing materials or promotional content
- •Vague or unverifiable claims
- •Incomplete project information
Submit Your Case Study
Fill out the submission form with all required information following IUCN criteria. Save drafts if you need more time to gather data.
Expert Review (5-7 Days)
Our team of NbS experts reviews your submission against IUCN Global Standard criteria for quality, accuracy, and completeness. We verify claims and ensure it meets international standards.
Feedback & Revision
If we need clarification or additional information to meet IUCN standards, we'll contact you via email. You can revise and resubmit.
Publication & API Access
Once approved, your case study is published on the platform and immediately becomes available through our REST API for global access. You'll receive a notification email with links to your published case study.
By submitting a case study, you agree to share your knowledge openly under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This means:
- Your case study will be publicly accessible on our website
- It will be available through our REST API for programmatic access
- Others can use, share, and build upon your work with proper attribution
- You retain copyright and will be credited as the contributor
- Your data contributes to global NbS research aligned with IUCN standards
Attribution Example: "Mangrove Restoration in Mai Po" by Dr. Jane Smith, Hong Kong University, available at NBS HUB (nbshub.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Ready to Share Your Experience?
Your contribution will help practitioners worldwide learn from your experience and accelerate the adoption of nature-based solutions globally, aligned with IUCN Global Standard.