In the Funen region (Denmark), the Co-innovation Lab 2 takes a catchment-based approach to water management, focused on Vejrup
Stream from the upland to the outlet to Odense Fjord. The partners involved include Odense
Municipality, the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) and Odense Fjord Collaboration. Co-innovation Lab 2 is combining science, local knowledge, and collaboration to create a more resilient water cycle.
Understanding nature’s value
Researchers at SDU are developing a framework to measure the benefits of natural capital in different landscapes – from farmland to coastal wetlands. These areas can act as powerful Nature-based Solutions, helping manage water, improving biodiversity, and storing carbon. This will be developed further in Lab 3, where SDU will create baselines of NbS and land uses for the entire Vejrup Å catchment area to make it possible to calculate different scenarios for land use change.
Listening to communities
To understand how the public perceives NbS and the value it can provide, SDU is conducting a
survey to learn how people feel about land use changes in their local environment. The goal is to
understand perceptions of potential gains or losses in ecosystem services before and after
introducing coastal wetlands. This ensures that solutions work for both nature and communities.
Connecting projects for greater impact
Odense Municipality and Odense Fjord Collaboration are mapping stakeholders and projects along
the Vejrup stream to support coordination between initiatives and create a space for synergies to
arise. By linking efforts, the projects can create more value by delivering holistic solutions across the entire catchment.
Building strong partnerships
Odense Fjord Collaboration facilitates cross-municipal dialogue to strengthen coordination and collaboration. This partnership will be taken even further in Lab 3, ensuring that climate adaptation is not limited by administrative borders.