As cities increasingly turn to Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to address climate, biodiversity and social challenges, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), cities need to adopt monitoring and evaluation practices that bridge the gap between international ambitions and local action. A new paper titled “Monitoring nature-based solutions is key for compliance, co-creation and practice improvement,” published in the peer-reviewed monthly scientific journal Nature Sustainability, argues that it is critical to reframe monitoring and evaluation as a collective learning process that recognises people's everyday knowledge and leverages community involvement to respond to changing conditions. The paper identifies three complementary approaches to monitoring and evaluation: 🔷 Compliance and benefit accounting that seeks to report the results of NbS using existing standards and guidelines as this is conducted to fulfil legal regulation. 🔷 Knowledge co-creation – M&E focuses on generating evidence through processes that recognise local knowledge, cultural values and community perspectives, ensuring that monitoring reflects context-specific and cultural realities. 🔷 Practice improvement – M&E helps to ensure cost efficiency, strengthen sensitivity to site conditions, and enhance the long-term performance of Nature-based Solutions. We are delighted to share that @MonalisaSen16, Associate Director, @ICLEISouthAsia, is among the contributing authors of this global perspective, bringing insights from practice to an international conversation on strengthening, monitoring, and evaluation for urban Nature-based Solutions. Read the full article here: tinyurl.com/yf4t6suw #NatureBasedSolutions #NatureSustainability #ClimateAction #Biodiversity #MonitoringAndEvaluation #SustainableCities

We’re Hiring! Are you passionate about biodiversity conservation, urban ecology, and creating sustainable cities? @ICLEISouthAsia is hiring for the position of Project Associate – Biodiversity in Ichalkaranji, Maharashtra, India. The selected candidate will support biodiversity-focused urban projects. This is an excellent opportunity for candidates interested in field-based environmental work and urban biodiversity management. APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON: 20th June 2026 | 11.59 PM IST APPLY here: southasia.iclei.org/careers/ #JobAlert #HiringAlert #NGOJobs #ClimateJobs

In a significant step towards advancing sustainable urban water management, @ICLEISouthAsia officially released a Compendium on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Waterbody Restoration, co-authored by Dr. Monalisa Sen (@MonalisaSen16), Associate Director, and Dr. Rinku Singh, Senior Project Officer-Biodiversity, ICLEI South Asia, on 29 April 2026, in Kochi, Kerala. The publication was released by the Hon’ble Deputy Mayor of Kochi Deepak Joy, alongside three Standing Committee Chairpersons and several councillors. Developed under the CLARE (Climate Adaptation and Resilience) Programme, funded by @FCDOGovUK and @IDRC_CRDI, the compendium highlights practical, scalable approaches to waterbody restoration, rooted in ecological principles and community engagement. What’s inside? • 10 case studies from South Asia and beyond • Solutions ranging from lake rejuvenation and canal restoration to floating wetlands and floodplain restoration • Insights into governance, financing, and stakeholder collaboration A key takeaway from the Compendium: Combining natural systems with targeted technological interventions can create both immediate impact and long-term sustainability. This compendium serves as a practical roadmap for cities to adopt context-specific NbS strategies and bridge the gap between policy and implementation. ICLEI South Asia remains committed to working closely with cities to support the planning and implementation of sustainable, climate-resilient urban systems. Read the Compendium here: tinyurl.com/9a5yjsx2 #NatureBasedSolutions #UrbanResilience #ClimateAction

Dr. @MonalisaSen16, Associate Director, @ICLEISouthAsia will join us as a speaker at #AriseCitiesForum2025 🗓️ 8-9 Oct 2025 | 📍 New Delhi @NIUA_India Details here: arisecitiesforum.org

At #ARISECitiesForum2025, in the panel discussion titled "A Nature First Approach: Harnessing Ecosystems for Resilience," experts Dr. @AchalenderReddy, IFS, retd., @vishch, Prerna Mehta, Prof. S. Kanmani, @krishna_ifs, Palwe Girish Haribhau, IFS, @adv_dipin, Uttar Kumar Rai, and @MonalisaSen16 explored how nature-based solutions contribute to low-carbon, climate-resilient development in cities. 🗓️8–9 October 2025 |📍 New Delhi Know more: arisecitiesforum.org @MoHUA_India @moefcc @ICLEISouthAsia @NIUA_India Follow this thread to know highlights from the session!

Celebrating #WorldWetlandsDay! Prepared under the @HCL_Foundation supported project, read our full report to explore how restoring #UrbanWetlands can shape #Resilient and #SustainableCities. Read the full report here: southasia.iclei.org/wp-conte… #UrbanBiodiversity #Noida

On #ChildrensDay, we're thrilled to announce a game-changing partnership between @amazon and @ICLEISouthAsia ! 🌍 Together, we're launching 75 urban food gardens in schools India. Learn More: aboutamazon.in/news/sustaina…

A handbook raising awareness on the ecological and cultural significance of #UrbanKhazans in #Goa was officially released on 12 Aug by Dr. Suresh Kunkalikar, Principal & Dean of Goa College of Agriculture and Dr. Bhushan Bhave, Principal of Vidya Prabodhini College.

#CallforBids 🔎 Inviting proposals for developing a fully functional board game on biodiversity conservation to improve the understanding about biodiversity & its significance among the school-going children under the INTERACTBio project. Access the ToR: bit.ly/3JuZ5Uu

We are back with some brain workout for you this #ICLEISAFunFriday 🧠💪 The 8 words below are related to our recent activities. Unscramble these words and post your answers in the comments. Let’s see if you can get them all right. ✅

🌿 Exciting discussions took place at a recently held workshop in Noida at @sharda_uni on Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan with support from @HCL_Foundation. Researchers and experts collaborated for a greener, resilient future in the National Capital Region.

It's a wrap!🌿Our workshop, ‘Nature’s Benefits in Noida,’ supported by @HCL_Foundation, concluded successfully with great participation. Aimed at integrating ecosystem services into urban planning & policy-making, we're working towards a greener, more resilient future for Noida.