This year, the Big Maaskant Award is being awarded to project NL2120. Alex Hekman is the director of this remarkable consortium and Business Director Water at engineering firm Sweco, which also has an office in Rotterdam. In a telephone interview, he discusses the ambition of NL2120, an initiative focused on the implementation and scaling up of nature-based solutions (NBS) in the Netherlands.

How did the idea for NL2120 originate, and what was your role in it? "NL2120 started from the question of how we, as a country, can better respond to the challenges of climate change, such as rising sea levels and declining biodiversity. Wageningen University provided visual insight into this by drawing a map with an inspiring vision of the future. To be clear, I am not the founder of NL2120. I am active in the water sector, and in that role, I have given a lot of thought to how we can contribute to a climate-resilient design of the Netherlands. Solutions based on how our water and soil systems naturally function are the most effective in this regard. One thing is very important here: collaboration with all parties involved in spatial planning issues. Together with Arjan Berkhuysen, Bregje van Wesenbeeck from Deltares, and Tim van Hattum from Wageningen University, among others, we considered the question: how do we get NL2120 off the ground?"

How does NL2120 secure funding? With a small group of five to ten people, we started pushing and submitted a very grand proposal to the National Growth Fund. That was rejected—it was far too grand and ambitious, laughs Hekman—but they did find what was in our plan genuinely interesting. The growth fund aims to strengthen the earning capacity of the Netherlands. And the core of our movement is to safeguard the long-term earning capacity of the Netherlands by using more nature-based solutions. Now, NL2120 holds over 150 million euros in funds, with the largest capital coming from the nearly four hundred people contributing to this program.

What is the purpose of NL2120?

"As I said, the core of our movement is to better align the Dutch business model and land use with the natural system. When you run a business, it must be in balance with the environment. We want solutions that address future problems such as rising sea levels, while simultaneously being good for people and nature. Many of those solutions already exist. So it is not just about providing completely new answers to problems, but rather about scaling up existing nature-inclusive concepts and applying them in more places."

In your opinion, what are good examples of nature-based solutions in the Netherlands?

“A fine example is the tidal park on the Island of Brienenoord in Rotterdam. That park literally offers air and space for the Feijenoord district and simultaneously improves drainage through the Nieuwe Maas. It provides recreation, biodiversity, and coolness in the summer. Social aspects also play a role. That is truly remarkable.” Hekman also mentions the Hondsbossche and Pettemer Sea Dike, where a straight asphalt coastline has been replaced by a sandy coast, creating a new nature reserve with more recreational opportunities and increased biodiversity. “That is truly hopeful,” says Hekman.

Which parties are collaborating on NL2120?

The collaboration within NL2120 consists of 25 partners, including major dredging companies and engineering firms, nature organizations, and research organizations such as EcoShape and Deltares. This intensive collaboration between 'green' and 'blue' parties is unique, as it is the first time that green and blue parties are working together so intensively. Knowledge institutes, universities, universities of applied sciences, and vocational colleges are now also involved in this partnership.

What are the biggest challenges NL2120 is currently facing?

A major challenge is getting the financial sector and agricultural businesses on board. We still need to invest in that. It also remains quite difficult to build trust in natural solutions. The sector is accustomed to traditional construction. Dams, dikes, concrete, steel—you know the drill. But we need to show people that nature-based solutions can also be safe and simultaneously offer significant added value.

What does the future of nature-based solutions look like?

In the Netherlands, we really have some catching up to do. We are a small and densely populated country. We have sacrificed a lot of nature for business and agriculture. But we are already seeing progress. Look, for example, at the Plan Ooievaar from 1986, which changed the way of thinking. Now, many years later, rivers have been widened and there is more room for nature development. Fish species have returned and the recreational value of these areas has increased.

What does it mean for NL2120 to receive the Big Maaskant Award?

The prize shows that the Netherlands is in need of a hopeful perspective. It radiates confidence and offers an attractive vision of the future. For me, nature-based solutions are the logical way to deal with challenges. It is up to us to show how it can be done.