Table 6.

Toolbox for co-assessment and planning of NBS: aims, outcomes, actions/steps, actors to be involved and related tools (Source: authors, inspired by [[3], [15], [27]]).

Phase	Co-assessment and planning
Main aims and actions/steps:	1)defining the current and future problem, challenges (Who and what is at risk?); 2)finding possible solutions in relation to NBSs opportunities – e.g. motivation for NBS and its main objectives (preliminary research) (What is the purpose of NBS?) 3)understanding potential for NBS: defining operational technical skills to design the project (What are the benefits and costs?) 4)clarifying the role and mission of different stakeholders involved in NBS (Who is on board, with whom and why?) 5)Identification of the NBS project – achieving its sound vision (What are feasible & acceptable NBS types?)
Why participatory tools should be applied	•to establish a sound vision of the NBS project and the alignment of partners •to improve the overall involvement of all relevant stakeholders in the process (increasing awareness about the NBS project)
Outcomes:	1)report including the identification of the NBS project and its relation to the overall local strategy; 2)list of related stakeholders and their roles in the project; 3)prototype of local communication, outlining the strategy for gaining stakeholders’ support and engagement for NBS, set-up activities
Actors involved:	Project partners: only internal local working team and sporadically, experts and decision-making board from public authorities
Important notes:	Since this step contributes to the establishing the partnership: •make sure to invite all stakeholders and align with them; •make sure to provide all needed materials for tools applied for this stage
Suggested tools:	a) for identifying the challenges and goals of the NBS project within the local context and strategy:	•framing the project board •innovation flowchart •designing the challenge •experience tour •problems definitions •value proposition canvas
	b) to involve and engage stakeholders	•user personas •actors’ map/stakeholder mapping •people and connections map •stakeholder CV tool •people shadowing	•expert interview •stakeholder visualization •team canvas •service blueprint •who inspire us? •building partnership map
	c) to discover valuable insights and generate innovative NBS strategy	•brainstorming/ brainwriting •walls of ideas •fast idea generating •idea dashboard •idea canvas •co-co toolkit •idea rating	•creative workshop •expert interview •5 whys •thinking hats •head & heart & hands •action Planning •SWOT analysis
	d) to collect data on hazards, exposures and vulnerabilities	•citizen science methods (incl. digital photos and videos from the public); •fuzzy cognitive maps •participatory mapping, PPGIS, geo-questionnaire •participant observation •transect walks •focus groups