As part of the celebrations of the 10th anniversary of the Associação Nacional de Coberturas Verdes (ANCV) and integrated into the European project GoNaturePositive!, developed in collaboration with the European Federation of Green Roof and Green Wall Associations (EFB), two sessions of the workshop “Green Roofs: Vegetation as a Mandatory Building Material” were held in Lisbon and Porto. These sessions brought together professionals from different sectors, municipal technicians, industry specialists, researchers and students, strengthening dialogue and technical capacity-building across the country.

1st Session – November 27 | Instituto Superior Técnico (IST – Lisbon)

The first session gathered 23 professionals from various entities at the Instituto Superior Técnico. The institutional programme included:

Municipality of Santarém
Speaker: Eng. Maria João Cardoso, Head of the Division of Environment and Sustainability, who highlighted essential themes for a sustainable urban transition.

National Association of Green Roofs (ANCV)
Speaker: Arq. Ana Teixeira Mesquita, Board Member of ANCV, who emphasised the role of Nature-Based Solutions in professional development and technical advancement.
Speaker and moderator: Dr. Isabella Costa, Executive Coordinator of ANCV, who presented the concept of “Nature-Positive Economy”, which served as the foundation for the collaborative work among participants.

During the practical session, participants began designing a Roadmap for a Nature-Positive Economy within the Green Buildings sector, including indicators, priorities and applicable strategies. The workshop gathered contributions from municipalities, companies, experts, researchers and students, enriching the discussions and the quality of the proposals developed.

ANCV expresses its gratitude to all entities and professionals for their contributions, and to IST – Lisbon for hosting this important event marking the Association’s 10 years of activity and reinforcing the national commitment to Nature-Based Solutions.

2nd Session – December 5 | CIIMAR – Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (Porto)

The second session of the workshop, held at CIIMAR, brought together 40 participants from various fields, including urban planning, environment, architecture, landscape architecture, innovation, education, scientific research, municipal services, green infrastructure companies, students, as well as professionals from hydraulics and water management, further enhancing the multidisciplinary nature of the event.

The session opened with a welcome address by Prof. Cristina Calheiros, Vice-President of ANCV and CIIMAR representative, highlighting the importance of collaboration between institutions and professionals in advancing Nature-Based Solutions in urban contexts.

The programme featured key presentations:

Policies and Incentives for Green Infrastructure
Speaker: Eng. Paulo Palha, President of ANCV and of the European Federation of Green Roof and Green Wall Associations.

Professional Opportunities and Development with Nature-Based Solutions
Speaker: Arq. Ana Mesquita, Board Member of ANCV.

Introduction to the Concept of a “Nature-Positive Economy”
Speaker: Dr. Isabella Costa, Executive Coordinator of ANCV.

The presentations were followed by the practical workshop session facilitated by Edite Amorim, who supported the ANCV team in collecting insights, fostering group dialogue and cultivating a dynamic environment for networking and experience-sharing. This collaborative process enabled the development of strategies, priorities and indicators that contribute to accelerating a Nature-Positive Economy within the Green Buildings sector.

ANCV extends its appreciation to all participants for their engagement and to CIIMAR for its support in hosting this second session.

Conclusion

Together, the two sessions held in Lisbon and Porto reaffirm ANCV’s commitment to promoting technical knowledge, cooperation across sectors and the advancement of Nature-Based Solutions in Portugal. Every contribution—from professionals, researchers, students, public institutions and companies—is profoundly enriching and strengthens our collective journey towards a truly Nature-Positive Economy.