The Philippine cities of Borongan, Zamboanga, and Legazpi completed training modules on integrating nature-based solutions (NbS) in urban planning, developed and delivered by ICLEI Southeast Asia (SEA) for the Climate Resilient Cities – Nature-based Urban Resilience Through Unifying and Responsive Engagement (CRC-NURTURE) Project.

The project, which was implemented by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) with funding support from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), wrapped up in March 2026.

CRC-NURTURE was built on the foundations of the earlier Climate Resilient Cities (CRC) project, which ICLEI SEA was also a part of as the project’s training consultant, having supported six cities in building their capacity to assess climate and disaster risks and develop their Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP).

CRC-NURTURE worked with the highly climate-vulnerable Philippine cities of Borongan, Zamboanga, and Legazpi to advance the integration and institutionalization of climate risk-informed NbS in urban planning and development processes. It aimed to address worsening risks from climate change, rapid and unplanned urbanization, and ecosystem degradation by embedding NbS into local policy and planning systems.

It also aimed to strengthen the capacities of local governments, communities, and stakeholders to apply NbS approaches using climate data, hazard assessments, and inclusive decision-making processes; helping ensure that resilience-building efforts are risk-informed, gender-responsive, and socially inclusive, contributing to nature-positive urban growth and long-term sustainable development in the target cities.

The CRC-NURTURE Project implementation team with participants of Borongan City during the “ABCs of Urban Planning integrating Nature-Based Solutions” training, held January 19-23, 2026 at Prim Hotel, Borongan City.

For the project, ICLEI SEA developed training modules titled “ABCs of Urban Planning Integrating Nature-Based Solutions.”

ICLEI SEA staff delivered the training in person through a series of capacity-building sessions over four days in each city: January 19-23, 2026, in Borongan City; February 9-12, 2026, in Zamboanga City; and February 23-26, 2026, in Legazpi City.

The training enabled participants to bridge technical knowledge and practical application for them to eventually translate climate data and ecosystem information into actionable planning strategies. Specifically, the training aimed to:

• Deepen participants’ understanding of how ecosystems, climate risks, and rapid urbanization are connected, and how NbS can help build more resilient cities;
• Equip them with basic knowledge on natural valuation, interpreting and utilizing climate risk assessments, hazard maps, and NbS mapping outputs in urban planning and evidence-based decision making;
• Strengthen their capacity to mainstream NbS into local development frameworks, including the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), LCCAP, and Local Development Investment Program (LDIP); and,
• Promote inclusive planning by embedding Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles throughout NbS design and implementation.

The CRC-NURTURE Project implementation team with participants of Zamboanga City during the “ABCs of Urban Planning integrating Nature-Based Solutions” training, held February 9-12, 2026 at Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga City

In each city, representatives from the following local government offices and community sectors participated in the CRC-NURTURE training: City Planning and Development Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Agriculture Office, City Engineering Office, City Environment and Natural Resource Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office, City Climate Change Office, City Information Office, City Health Office, City Budget Office, local environmental civil society organizations, and vulnerable sectors such as persons with disabilities (PWDs) and women.

“We garnered representation from women’s groups or PWDs from the LGU or a local organization. [The] cities also identified NbS programs geared towards empowering women, farmers, fisherfolk, PWDS, children, and other marginalized groups,” said James Anthony Oriña, ICLEI SEA Project Officer, during the closing event of CRC-NURTURE last March 18, 2026 in Legazpi City.

The CRC-NURTURE Project implementation team with participants of Legazpi City during the “ABCs of Urban Planning integrating Nature-Based Solutions” training, held February 23-26, 2026 at Hotel Sentro, Legazpi City.

The training was composed of four main sessions facilitated by ICLEI SEA through interactive and participatory methods, such as group work, discussions, and mapping exercises grounded in local data and city-specific contexts to encourage peer learning and ownership of outcomes.

Session 1 served as an overview of ecosystem services in urban development, including a stocktake of their respective city’s environment, climate, hazards, exposure, vulnerability, and impacts; an introduction to urban planning and design and how to integrate situational analysis; and urban planning strategies for climate adaptation and resilience.

Session 2 introduced NbS and basic concepts of natural resources accounting that may guide NbS.

Session 3 focused on integrating NbS into local urban planning and investment programming; assessing existing city policies, programs, projects, and activities through a nature lens; technical design of NbS; and ensuring GEDSI in NbS implementation.

Lastly, Session 4 emphasized inclusive stakeholder engagement and mentoring for NbS, covering stakeholder mapping and inclusive planning and implementation for NbS. The last session also focused on mentoring participants in developing an NbS Roadmap for their city, which will help translate plans into coherent, implementable, and investable actions. The city’s draft NbS Roadmap or City Urban Nature-Based Solutions Action Plan is also one of the training’s key outcomes.

A participant from Borongan City presents their group output during the CRC-NURTURE Project training held January 19-23, 2026 at Prim Hotel, Borongan City.

James Anthony Oriña, ICLEI SEA Project Officer, facilitates a session on ensuring GEDSI in NbS implementation during the CRC-NURTURE Project training for Borongan City, held January 19-23, 2026 at Prim Hotel, Borongan City.

Participants from Legazpi City engage in a session activity during the CRC-NURTURE Project training held February 23-26, 2026 at Hotel Sentro, Legazpi City.

Kristianne Jemi Santos, ICLEI SEA Senior Project Officer, facilitates a session during the CRC-NURTURE Project training for Legazpi City, held February 23-26, 2026 at Hotel Sentro, Legazpi City.

A participant from Zamboanga City presents their group output during the CRC-NURTURE Project training held February 9-12, 2026 at Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga City.

Miguel Angelo Gotango, ICLEI SEA Project Officer, facilitates a session on ecosystem services during the CRC-NURTURE Project training for Zamboanga City, held February 9-12, 2026 at Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga City.

James Anthony Oriña, ICLEI SEA Project Officer, shares key insights on the CRC-NURTURE training during the closing event of CRC-NURTURE last March 18, 2026 in Legazpi City. (Photo from Catholic Relief Services (CRS))