Invitation
Investing in Nature Restoration – Building a Sustainable Future is an in-person event dedicated to the growing field of nature restoration financing and its benefits for both investors and biodiversity.
One of the key objectives of the LIFE B4B project is to explore innovative and additional financing instruments to support nature and biodiversity restoration. In that context, we are organising a three-day event in June 2026 focused on public and private financing for nature restoration.
Throughout the event, leading experts, practitioners and stakeholders will come together to exchange insights, share experiences and jointly explore concrete solutions for financing nature restoration.
Date and location
2 June 2026 - 4 June 2026 in Leuven, Belgium
Programme
2 June 2026 – Plenary sessions (9.30 - 17.30)
The first plenary day we gradually set-up the scene about private funding. Various speakers will talk about their experiences and share their know how. But also explain how private funding works (or not). Several speakers will discuss what kind of financial instruments do exist and can be used or already being used.
We will also explore the needs: what does nature conservation requires but also what does private sector expects from investing in nature. In short: what is the win-win in investing the money in restoring ecosystems.
In the afternoon, Conservation Finance Network of the USA will provide us some perspectives of how private financing works in the United States of America. Followed by some examples in the European Union: concrete cases how certain instruments have been put in practice (or close to market).
During the day enough time will be dedicated to interact with the audience to ask questions but also provide valuable comments and experiences.
No better way to close the day by having an extended reception where you can bring your own regional specialties! What is better to discuss and get to know each other with nice food and drinks!
| Registrations + welcome coffee |
| Introductory talk of the chairman – Harm Schoten (director of Eurosite) |
| Welcome by Goedele Van der Spiegel CEO of the Flemish Agency of Nature and Forests |
| 9:45 - 12:00 Session 1 – financing the basics |
Tom Andries: LIFE Belgium for Biodiversity – Facilitating financing mechanisms The LIFE B4B project primary objective is to put policy into practice by facilitating processes. This session will explore how financing mechanisms might interact with policy. |
| Angelo Salsi (former head of the LIFE Programme, ): Some personal reflections and experiences of the past decades. |
| Gauthier Clar: Senior financial engineering manager – CINEA |
| Coffee break |
| Hans Van Gossom: Arcadis – The Business Case for Nature |
| The Nature Conservancy (speaker tbc): A more global perspective about financing |
Thomas Machiels – University of Antwerp: Innofins – Financing the urban transition An inspirational session how climate adaptation can be achieved by making use of nature based solutions, financed both by private and public funding. |
| 12.30 - 13.30 Lunch |
| 13:30 - 15:00 Session 2: Spend the money! What are the needs – bridging the gap |
| Peter Howell – Director Private financing and nature conservation, some USA perspective |
| Filip Hebbrechts – Business Conservation Partnerships, how companies co-invest in nature restoration |
Laura Recoder – LIFE Stewardship: private land conservation and financing (Life Stewardship) How private financing could be mobilized to support conservation projects led by NGOs, using land stewardship agreements to strengthen legal certainty and to ensure landowners’ long‑term commitment towards conservation actions. The session will present the first outcomes and lessons learned of the Life Stewardship project that is currently being implemented in Spain. |
| Coffee break |
| 15:30 - 16:30 Session 3: Examples |
| Joke Verduyckt – BNP Paribas – Perspectives of a bank and first experiences. |
| Tillman Disselhof – President Eurosite presenting the first outcomes of the LIFE Biodivcrew project. |
| Emma Terämä – Biodiversity credits in Finland – Biodiversity credits in Finland – an example how private funding can contribute to nature restoration. |
| 16.30 - 19:00 Closing of the day |
| Harm Schoten - Reflections |
| Instructions excursions |
| Photo moment |
| Reception |
3 June 2026 – Field visits (9.00 - 17.00)
The objective of the second day is about visiting concrete examples in the field but also to continue networking during some nice excursions. We will visit sites where private investors make the difference and more important, generating win-win situations. Biodiversity loss is halted or even reversed and natural resources are secured which are essential for many enterprises. One visit will focus on the river Dyle: how ecosystem restoration contributes to flood prevention, water supply and other ecosystem services. The second visit will focus on restoration projects in Belgium with a high socio-economic impact.
4 June 2026 – Interactive workshops (9.00 - 15.00)
The third day, time to dive deeper into private funding. During several workshops you can discuss topics like biodiversity credits, carbon credits, philanthropic resources, green washing, restoration plans and finances, marine restoration, developing business cases,… etc. The floor is yours
The event will enn at 15:00 in the afternoon.
Partner event EU Greenweek
Excursion on 3 June 2026
Be sure to provide appropriate clothing for rainy weather and an extra pair of shoes for on the bus.
Excursion 1
Excursion 2
Link to the livestream
(only on day 1)
Free of charge
This event is free of charge. LIFE B4B will provide lunch for the 3 days and a dinner on the first day.
Places are limited. The LIFE B4B management team therefore reserves the right to give priority to projects and participants who are working towards the same objectives and/or can actively contribute to the event.
Day 1 will also be streamed, allowing us to reach an even wider audience.
We are committed to organising this event as sustainably as possible. If you are unable to attend, please let us know in good time so that we can work together to prevent food waste.
Transportation and overnight stay are at the own expence of the participants. The costs for LIFE projects participants are eligible for LIFE.
Venue
Dirk Boutsgebouw
Diestsepoort 6, 3000 Leuven
https://maps.app.goo.gl/17CHhsSJmrrwCS3N8
Photo - Facilitair bedrijf VO
How to get there?
By train
The venue is easily accessible from the airport by train. The journey takes about 15 minutes.
The Dirk Bouts building is located next to Leuven's SNCB station, to the right of the main entrance and bus station.
Coming from the platform, walk towards the centre. Just before the underground car park De Bond, turn right towards the bus station (arrow ‘Diestsevest’). This corridor comes out above ground. Follow that corridor and the footpath and you will reach the main entrance to the building.
By bus
The Dirk Bouts building is next to the platforms of De Lijn's ‘Leuven Station’ stop. The bus stop at the front of the station has a wide range of buses. There is also a bus stop at the back of the station (‘Kessel-Lo Back of Station’)
By bike
The entrance to the underground bicycle shed is on the side of the building (bus station side). Employees can use the secure bicycle parking area (with badge). Visitors can, subject to the use of a visitor's badge, use the first part of the bicycle parking area.
What to do in Leuven?
Where to stay?
Visit Belgium
Belgium?
