Policy Recommendations on Nature-Based Solutions for Education

Registration is open

As part of the Horizon Europe eNaBlS project, the Association for European Life Science Universities (ICA), serving as the project's Liaison Partner, is organising the International Policy Workshop "Policy Recommendations on Nature-Based Solutions for Education", which will take place on 23 September 2026 at the Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union in Brussels.

The workshop will bring together European policymakers, representatives of EU Nature-Based Solutions initiatives, researchers, practitioners, NGOs, and other key stakeholders to discuss how Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) can be better integrated into education systems and policy frameworks across Europe.

The workshop is organised by ICA, in collaboration with the Lithuanian RDI Liaison Office (LINO) and the Research Council of Lithuania (RCL), under the eNaBlS project, co-funded by the European Union.

Application Deadline 24 August 2026

ICA is pleased to announce the launch of the call for nominations for ICA Excellence Awards 2026 to recognise individuals who have achieved excellence in furthering the values and mission of ICA.

The call is launched to recognise individuals who have achieved excellence in furthering the values and mission of ICA.

Read more to see the full details of the call and and download your nomination form.

Registration is open

 The ICA Rectors and Deans Forum 2026 will take place on 15–16 October 2026 at the Biodiversity Research Centrein Cluj-Napoca, Romania, hosted by the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca (USAMV Cluj-Napoca).

This year's Forum, "The Strategic Role of Life Science Universities for Food Systems Resilience and Global Food Security", will bring together university leaders, policymakers, researchers, and international organisations to discuss the future of resilient and sustainable food systems.

As ICA's flagship annual event, the Forum promotes strategic dialogue and collaboration among Europe's leading life science universities and key stakeholders.

The programme and registration details are available HERE.

Forum and ICA Excellence Award digital booklet is availabke HERE.

The ICA Rectors and Deans Forum 2025 has officially published its Communiqué, highlighting key priorities and commitments for advancing the circular bioeconomy in higher education.

Under the theme “Navigating Complexity: ICA Leading the Circular Bioeconomy Transformation” the document reflects the collective vision of European agricultural and life science universities in addressing sustainability challenges through education, research, and innovation.

 Download Communique of the ICA Rectors and Deans Forum 2025_Feb2026

The ICA Community of Practice for Bioeconomy Education (ICA CoP Bio-Edu) has released the Executive Summary of its 2025 workshop “Learning Communities for the Transformation Towards a Bioeconomy”, held on 20–21 November 2025 at the Irish College Leuven, Belgium. 

The report emphasises that successful Learning Communities depend on shared goals, trust, transparent communication and long-term engagement among actors from across the quadruple helix.

The workshop forms part of ICA CoP Bio-Edu’s ongoing efforts to strengthen bioeconomy education, stakeholder collaboration and knowledge exchange across Europe.

The Executive Summary is now available and provides valuable insights for educators, researchers, policymakers, industry representatives and all stakeholders involved in advancing the sustainable bioeconomy transition.

Download Executive Summary - ICA-CoP Bio-Edu Workshop 2025

We are pleased to announce that the ICA General Assembly will take place online on 11 June 2026, from 14:00 to 16:00 CET.

The ICA General Assembly is the main governing body of the Association and includes one representative from each Full Member institution. The Assembly meets once a year, and participation of Full Member representatives is mandatory.

The meeting will provide an opportunity to review key developments, discuss important matters related to ICA activities, and engage with the ICA community.

More detailed information and the draft agenda will be published soon.

Please reserve the date in your calendar.

ICA Community of Practice for Bioeconomy Education (ICA-CoP Bio-Edu) Workshop 2025 

Learning Communities for the transformation to the bioeconomy: innovation by dialogue between partners

Was held on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 November 2025
at the Irish College Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

The key objective of the Workshop is to explore concepts of how to initiate and build successful learning communities. In particular the workshop will explore the benefits for university staff of being involved in such learning communities for their research, innovation, and education programmes as a result of their direct engagement with industry, policy makers and civil society.

Read more to see the programme & the presentations

ICA Excellence Award 2025

Calls hand been made for nominations for the ICA Excellence Award in each of the following three categories:

• ICA Excellence Award – Lifetime Achievements
• ICA Excellence Award – Early-Stage Academic
• ICA Excellence Award – Networking

The Awards were presented at the time of the ICA Rectors and Deans forum held on 16 October, 2025 at BOKU university, Vienna, Austria 

Award winners and presenters

Navigating Complexity: ICA Leading the Circular Bioeconomy Transformation

was held on 16 and 17 October 2025
at BOKU University, Peter-Jordan-Straße 82, Vienna, Austria

This forum provides a dedicated platform to explore the evolving Science–Policy Interface and to showcase best practices in knowledge mobilization by ICA's life science universities

See the Forum Programme and Register

Please hear the Invitation to the Forum 
form BOKU Rector Eva Schulev-Steindl