comcha

Community-
based change:

Local and traditional
knowledges in NBS

The Community-based change local and traditional knowledges in NBS (COmCHA) project focuses on understanding, strengthening, and applying nature-based solutions (NBS) using community, traditional, and local knowledge, especially in marginalized communities or those threatened by environmental conflicts, economic or geographic isolation, or processes of ghettoization, both in Europe and in Global South countries such as Brazil.

COMCHA (Community-based Change: Local and Traditional Knowledge(s) in Nature-Based Solutions) is an innovative international research project focused on exploring the transformative potential of community-driven nature-based solutions (NBS) for biodiversity regeneration, social justice, and sustainable change. The project addresses critical gaps in the current understanding of NBS by emphasizing marginalized and threatened communities in Europe and overseas—communities that have been historically overlooked despite facing persistent environmental, social, and economic challenges.

Citizen Science revolves around actively involving non-professional citizens in the scientific process with the aim of generating new knowledge or understanding. According to the BiodivERsA Citizen Science Toolkit, citizen science projects must have genuine scientific outcomes benefiting both professional and citizen scientists.

Participants may engage in multiple stages of the scientific process, from data collection to project design and dissemination, while receiving feedback and recognition for their contributions. It is important to consider citizen science as a legitimate research approach, acknowledging limitations and biases, ensuring openness and transparency of data and results, and addressing ethical and legal issues such as intellectual property and confidentiality.

Nature Based Solutions (NBS) represent a transformative approach that utilizes natural processes and ecosystems to tackle pressing environmental and societal challenges. These solutions leverage nature’s inherent capacity to provide benefits such as climate regulation, biodiversity enhancement, and improved human wellbeing. As global concerns over climate change, biodiversity loss, and social vulnerability intensify, NBS have emerged as promising strategies that integrate ecological health with sustainable development goals.

Understanding Nature Based Solutions begins with recognizing their core principle: addressing challenges through conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of natural and semi-natural ecosystems. Examples of NBS range from urban green spaces that reduce heat and improve air quality to wetland restoration projects that enhance water purification and flood control. This broad applicability enables NBS to deliver multiple benefits simultaneously, making them attractive for diverse contexts and sectors.