In the period from 15 to 26 August 2018, within the framework of the Erasmus+ project ‘Integrated Doctoral Program for Environmental Policy, Management and Technology – INTENSE’, 586471-EPP-1-2017-1-EE-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP, the NEXT Summer School on Nature-Based Solutions for Smart Cities was held at the Belarusian-Russian University in Mahilioŭ, Belarus, with the support of Visegrad International Foundation, ERANET Urban Europe Smart-U-Green and DAAD (Agenda, Schedule).

Altogether, 46 MSc, PhD students, researchers and NGO representatives from Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Vietnam, Mongolia, Russia, India, the USA, Canada, Ukraine, Moldova, Pakistan, Poland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Brazil, Bangladesh and Belarus, selected from nearly 200 applicants from 45 countries, took part in the School. The faculty comprised the experts from the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Hungary, Slovakia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Belarus, Poland and Germany, including world-renowned experts in urban planning and management.

On 13-14 August 2018 an extra study period for INTENSE students in the form of a seminar “European drivers for good landscape and biodiversity governance in Eastern Europe” (Seminar Agenda) was held.

At the summer school, where English was the working language, the faculty members presented modern concepts for the formation of urban landscapes and infrastructures, based on natural mechanisms, nature-based solutions and nature-friendly technologies. Following lectures and workshops, the School participants explored Mogilev’s wetlands, forests, neighborhoods and heritage sites, then formed 7 project groups to find nature-based solutions to local challenges. The research results can be used for real activities in Mahilioŭ for further development of the green carcass, improvement of the city’s comfort and environmental status.

At the end of the school, participants were awarded certificates on successful completion of the course on ‘Nature-Based Solutions for Smart Cities’, corresponding to 3.5 ECTS.