The project builds on the established collaboration from earlier MAB-LAB initiatives and expands it into a Nordic network for ambitious nature municipalities and biosphere reserves. The ambition is to support local authorities in translating global biodiversity goals into concrete policies, planning, and actions.

At the core of the project is the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). While the framework sets global targets, its success depends on strong local ownership, cross-sector collaboration, and the ability to adapt goals to specific places and contexts. MAB-LAB III addresses this gap by focusing on knowledge sharing, capacity building, and practical testing of new approaches.

The project is anchored in the Nordic tradition of collaboration and contributes to the vision of the Nordic Council of Ministers of making the Nordic region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. It also aligns with the ambitions of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme and the IUCN, emphasising the role of biosphere reserves as model areas for place-based sustainable development.

MAB-LAB III is structured around four main phases: network building, thematic collaboration and capacity building, local pilot projects, and strategic dissemination. Together, these activities support municipalities and biosphere reserves in developing and testing new methods, strengthening peer learning, and contributing to policy development across the Nordic region.