Naturefin - Interreg Europe

28/05/2026

How can we finance more nature-positive projects?

On 20–21 May 2026, NATUREFIN organised the Expert Webinar “Private Capital Mobilisation for Investable Projects”, led by Mátyás Horák, CFA, FRM, Sustainable Finance Expert.

The two-day webinar explored how municipalities and regions can make nature-based and biodiversity-related projects more investable.

Key points discussed included:
• Why nature projects often struggle to attract private capital
• What makes a project investable or “bankable”
• How local governments can use planning, procurement, technical assistance and policy instruments to support nature finance
• Why clear revenue models, strong governance, risk management and monitoring systems are important

A key message from the webinar was that public funding remains crucial, but local and regional governments can also help create the conditions for private capital to support nature restoration, biodiversity and climate adaptation.

Thank you to Mátyás Horák for the insightful sessions, and to all participants and NATUREFIN partners for joining the discussion.
We look forward to continuing this work with our partners across Europe.

Read the full article: https://www.interregeurope.eu/naturefin/news-and-events/news/private-capital-mobilisation-for-investable-projects

NATUREFIN is co-funded by the European Union under Interreg Europe.
NATUREFIN is led by Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem, and our partners are: Somogy County Government (Hungary), Heinolan kaupunki (Finland), Paggaio Municipality (Greece), CIM Região Beiras e Serra da Estrela (Portugal), Diputación de Badajoz (Spain), and Municipality of Maliq (Albania).

12/05/2026

Join the NATUREFIN Expert Webinar “Private Capital Mobilisation for Investable Projects” with Matyas Horak, CFA, FRM, Senior Sustainable Investment Specialist.

Matyas brings around 20 years of experience across credit, project finance, ESG and sustainability integration. He has led sustainable investing at Legal & General and ESG analytics and product innovation at S&P Global, advising institutional investors across Europe and Asia.

Across two sessions, the webinar will explore how private capital can be mobilised for investable projects, with a focus on sustainable investment, ESG integration, project finance, risk management and credible project pipelines.

Session 1: 20 May 2026, 10:00–12:00 CEST
Session 2: 21 May 2026, 10:00–12:00 CEST

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/naturefin-webinar-private-capital-mobilisation-for-investable-projects-tickets-1988428329661

Places are limited. Registration closes on 18 May 2026 at 23:59 CEST.

NATUREFIN is co-funded by the European Union under Interreg Europe.
NATUREFIN is led by Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem, and our partners are: Somogy County Government (Hungary), Heinolan kaupunki (Finland), Paggaio Municipality (Greece), CIM Região Beiras e Serra da Estrela (Portugal), Diputación de Badajoz (Spain), and Municipality of Maliq (Albania).

30/04/2026

What does biodiversity have to do with finance?

In our new NATUREFIN interview, Professor Brian Lucey from Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin, explains why biodiversity risk is becoming an important topic for companies, investors, policymakers and local authorities.

The discussion looks at biodiversity exposure, supply-chain risks, market incentives and the idea that protecting nature is also about protecting the economy.

Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/WjXbeCa7Rsk

NATUREFIN is co-funded by the European Union under Interreg Europe.
NATUREFIN is led by Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem, and our partners are: Somogy County Government (Hungary), Heinolan kaupunki (Finland), Paggaio Municipality (Greece), CIM Região Beiras e Serra da Estrela (Portugal), Diputación de Badajoz (Spain), and Municipality of Maliq (Albania).

NATUREFIN Interview with Professor Brian Lucey | Biodiversity and Finance

23/04/2026

Meet the Partner: CIMBSE, Portugal

From mountains and rivers to protected landscapes and rural livelihoods, the Beiras and Serra da Estrela territory in Portugal shows how closely nature and regional development are connected.

Through NATUREFIN, our Portuguese partner CIMBSE, the Intermunicipal Community of Beiras and Serra da Estrela, is exploring how more innovative approaches to financing biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration can help turn strategic priorities into practical action across 15 municipalities.

With Serra da Estrela, Natura 2000 sites, the Estrela UNESCO Global Geopark, and the Mondego, Alva, Zêzere and Côa river basins, this is a territory shaped by rich natural assets. At the same time, it faces pressures linked to wildfire risk, water scarcity, habitat fragmentation and climate change.

By strengthening knowledge on instruments such as green bonds, payments for ecosystem services and public-private partnerships, CIMBSE is working towards stronger local capacity, better integration of biodiversity into planning, and clearer pathways for financing nature-positive action.

Read more: https://www.interregeurope.eu/naturefin/news-and-events/news/meet-partner-cimbse-portugal

NATUREFIN is co-funded by the European Union under Interreg Europe.
NATUREFIN is led by Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem, and our partners are: Somogy County Government (Hungary), Heinolan kaupunki (Finland), Paggaio Municipality (Greece), CIM Região Beiras e Serra da Estrela (Portugal), Diputación de Badajoz (Spain), and Municipality of Maliq (Albania).

20/04/2026

Last Friday, Europe, let’s cooperate! 2026 concluded in Copenhagen with a second day dedicated to study visits and exchange on the ground.

The final programme moved from forum sessions to in-person visits and networking opportunities, giving participants the chance to explore concrete examples of regional development and policy learning in practice in and around Copenhagen.

The study visits covered a wide range of themes, including sustainable urban innovation, cycling infrastructure, circular economy, international talent, greener cityscapes, and future-oriented urban development. For NATUREFIN, this closing day was a valuable reminder that interregional cooperation is strongest when policy discussion connects with real places, real challenges, and practical solutions.

As the forum came to a close, Europe, let’s cooperate! 2026 once again highlighted the value of shared learning, new connections, and cooperation across regions working towards better policies.

NATUREFIN is co-funded by the European Union under Interreg Europe.
NATUREFIN is led by Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem, and our partners are: Somogy County Government (Hungary), Heinolan kaupunki (Finland), Paggaio Municipality (Greece), CIM Região Beiras e Serra da Estrela (Portugal), Diputación de Badajoz (Spain), and Municipality of Maliq (Albania).

16/04/2026

NATUREFIN is in Copenhagen for the opening day of Europe, let’s cooperate! 2026.

Today marks the start of Interreg Europe’s annual forum, bringing together policymakers, public authorities and project representatives from across Europe to exchange experience and explore how interregional cooperation can lead to better policies.

The first day focuses on policy improvements, the future of interregional cooperation, thematic sessions and networking across the Interreg Europe community. Throughout the day, participants are discussing practical regional policy solutions in areas such as nature-based solutions, energy transition, circular economy, sustainable housing and regional resilience.

For NATUREFIN, this is a valuable opportunity to connect biodiversity and sustainable finance with wider European policy learning and cooperation.

NATUREFIN is co-funded by the European Union under Interreg Europe.
NATUREFIN is led by Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem, and our partners are: Somogy County Government (Hungary), Heinolan kaupunki (Finland), Paggaio Municipality (Greece), CIM Região Beiras e Serra da Estrela (Portugal), Diputación de Badajoz (Spain), and Municipality of Maliq (Albania).

15/04/2026

NATUREFIN is in Copenhagen this week for Interreg Europe activities.

Today, Helena Naffa is representing NATUREFIN at the exchange of experiences for Interreg Europe projects, a dedicated gathering for lead partners to discuss project implementation, share learnings, and reflect on the future of the programme.

From tomorrow, NATUREFIN will also take part in Europe, let's cooperate! 2026, Interreg Europe's annual interregional cooperation forum taking place on 16-17 April in Copenhagen.

We look forward to the conversations ahead and to sharing more updates from the main event over the next two days.

NATUREFIN is co-funded by the European Union under Interreg Europe.
NATUREFIN is led by Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem, and our partners are: Somogy County Government (Hungary), Heinolan kaupunki (Finland), Paggaio Municipality (Greece), CIM Região Beiras e Serra da Estrela (Portugal), Diputación de Badajoz (Spain), and Municipality of Maliq (Albania).

07/04/2026

16/03/2026

Meet the Partner: Badajoz Provincial Council, Spain

From dehesas and wetlands to river corridors and mixed agricultural landscapes, Badajoz is a territory where nature, biodiversity and rural livelihoods are closely connected.

Through NATUREFIN, Badajoz Provincial Council is working to ensure that public funding better reflects biodiversity and environmental value, helping link territorial development more closely with the long-term health of nature.

In our latest Meet the Partner article, discover how Badajoz is contributing a practical local-government perspective to the shared challenge of aligning development with biodiversity protection and sustainable finance.

Read more in the full article: https://www.interregeurope.eu/naturefin/news-and-events/news/meet-partner-badajoz-provincial-council-spain

NATUREFIN is co-funded by the European Union under Interreg Europe.
NATUREFIN is led by Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem, and our partners are: Somogy County Government (Hungary), Heinolan kaupunki (Finland), Paggaio Municipality (Greece), CIM Região Beiras e Serra da Estrela (Portugal), Diputación de Badajoz (Spain), and Municipality of Maliq (Albania).

13/03/2026

🌿 NATUREFIN’s new press release is out!

We are happy to share two inspiring good practices from the NATUREFIN partnership that connect Nature-Based Solutions, biodiversity protection and sustainable funding.

In Badajoz (Spain), a primary school introduced green roofs, vegetated façades, shaded areas and other nature-based features to reduce heat stress, improve air quality and create a healthier environment for pupils.

In Heinola (Finland), the municipality developed a forest classification approach that supports biodiversity-positive planning and helps ensure that funding decisions do not harm ecosystems.

These good practices show how local and regional authorities can turn environmental goals into practical action while aligning with sustainable finance frameworks. They are also designed to be replicated by other municipalities looking for climate-adapted and nature-positive solutions.

For more upcoming good practices, visit the Interreg Europe website: https://www.interregeurope.eu/policy-solutions/good-practices

📄 Read our full press release below ⬇️

NATUREFIN is led by Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem, and our partners are: Somogy County Government (Hungary), Heinolan kaupunki (Finland), Paggaio Municipality (Greece), CIM Região Beiras e Serra da Estrela (Portugal), Badajoz Provincial Council (Spain), and Municipality of Maliq (Albania).