Organised as part of the Erasmus+ ‘Filling the Gap’ project in partnership with Hacettepe University, Eskişehir Technical University, Duke University and EPD-Net, the ECHO Training Programme on Sustainable Cities through Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) took place online from 15 April to 20 May 2026. Over the course of six weeks, the programme offered a broad perspective ranging from ecological design to urban green networks, and was attended by over 50 participants from various disciplines.
An interactive learning environment has been created between the academic world and the professional world
At the conclusion of the programme, which involved participants from various disciplines such as environmental sciences, urban planning and landscape architecture—including architects, academics and young professionals—22 participants received a Certificate of Achievement, 18 received a Certificate of Attendance, and 12 experts and educators were awarded a Subject Specialist Certificate. A satisfaction survey regarding the programme revealed that the vast majority of participants found the programme beneficial and that their expectations had been met. With its interdisciplinary structure, the programme created an interactive learning environment that encouraged the exchange of knowledge between academia and the professional world.
The programme met expectations with its broad scope
Covering a different theme each week, the programme offered a broad perspective ranging from ecological design principles to flood management, and from climate adaptation to urban green networks. Participants played an active role in sessions enriched with real-life case studies from cities such as Rotterdam and Barcelona, alongside interactive activities such as mind mapping, scenario writing and SWOT analysis.
In the end-of-programme survey, 29 out of 32 participants found the programme useful, whilst 26 stated that their expectations had been fully met.