Cali, Colombia
5-10 October 2026

The Nature of Cities Festival 2026

TRUEQUE: Cities that Care for Life

A global gathering of artists, scientists, and practitioners re-imagining how cities and nature thrive together.

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cover image: Downtown Cali, by Johannes Bud, CC BY-SA 4.0

The 2026 edition of The Nature of Cities Festival will take place in Cali, Colombia

This marks the first Global South edition of TNOC Festival. Cali’s river, cultural diversity, and community spirit make it the perfect place to explore how cities can care for life in all its forms.

2026 TNOC FESTIVAL Theme

TRUEQUE — Cities that Care for Life

Rooted in Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and mestizo traditions across Latin America, trueque represents the ethics of care and reciprocity — a way of relating that values what is shared over what is owned. It acknowledges that every exchange transforms both sides and that knowledge, like seeds, only grows when shared.

“As Latinas and Latinos, we grow up in a culture of care. When you’re little, the neighbours look out for you while your parents are busy making a living — and even when you’re forty, your mom or dad will still make sure you’re fed and warm and because that’s how they show their love.”

Claudia and Maria,
TNOC curators (from Colombia)

Images from past TNOC Festivals in Paris and Berlin.

What is TNOC Festival?

Since our first global summit in Paris (2019), The Nature of Cities Festival has brought together people from around the world to create transdisciplinary dialogue and action.

The Festival isn’t a conventional conference — it’s a living experiment in how art, science, policy, and practice can meet each other, learn from each other, and spark change in the places we live.

This year the city of Cali—third largest city in Colombia—invites the world to join the TNOC Festival, for our first-ever journey into Latin America.

Why Cali?

In 2024, Cali showed the world what leadership looks like when nature is put at the center of urban life. Hosting the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16), the city emerged as a global voice for ecological innovation and community-driven action.

In 2026, Cali is taking the next bold step: dedicating its annual Biodiversity Week to the TNOC Festival.

This is far more than a venue partnership. The city has invited us to help convene creative working groups, gather local and international knowledge, and co-shape new approaches to Cali’s urban biodiversity goals. It’s a rare chance to bring artists, scientists, designers, and civic leaders together in a real-time process of imagining — and planning — a more nature-rich city.

Come experience a city where community, creativity, and nature come together — and take part in building a new model for how festivals can contribute to lasting urban transformation.

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WAYS TO COLLABORATE & SUPPORT TNOC FESTIVAL

TNOC is thrilled to host its first-ever Global South edition in 2026! To make this one-of-a-kind and inspiring event possible, we’re actively seeking sponsors and partners who would like to be part of this exciting journey.

There are countless ways to engage — from small collaborations to major partnerships — and every contribution, big or small, helps us bring TRUEQUE to life in Cali.

This Festival is built collectively — in the spirit of TRUEQUE — through shared creativity, shared resources, and shared purpose.

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Get to Know COLOMBIA

By the Numbers — A Country of Biodiversity and Citizen Action

75,947 species

A megadiverse country — One in ten known species lives in Colombia.

76% of Colombians live in urbanized spaces

with the highest concentrations in the Andean region (20 million) and the Caribbean region (3.4 million).

2,362 species recorded in citizen science events.

During BioBlitz participatory science events in 8 BiodiverCities across Colombia, over 700 participants recorded 2,362 species.

More than the numbers, Colombia is a place where nature, culture, and civic action are deeply intertwined. That energy is the foundation for TNOC Festival 2026.

Leaving more than memories

Impact and Legacy

The Nature of Cities Festival creates networks, art, policy recommendations, and local collaborations that continue beyond the event.

Organizers and Partners

The Nature of Cities
Instituto Humboldt
Alcaldía de Cali
Comfandi
and international collaborators.

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Dates and Venue

5–10 October 2026
Comfandi Cultural Center
Cali, Colombia

Registration

Information and early-bird registration coming soon.

Travel & Accommodation

Practical information on transport, accessibility, and recommended hotels coming soon.

Volunteer Opportunities

Help us make the Festival a success — join as a volunteer or local collaborator.

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In Partnership with Humboldt Institute

We are honored to walk this path with the Instituto Alexander von Humboldt.

The Alexander von Humboldt Institute (Colombia’s National Institute for Biodiversity) brings deep scientific expertise, a Latin American lens, and a spirit of collaboration that resonates with TNOC’s values.

With over a decade of research in urban biodiversity, our partner has contributed to national, regional and international initiatives — including partnerships with cities and Ministries, the Latin American Network of BiodiverCities (led by CAF), and EU Horizon 2020 projects.

Together, we weave science, art, and community into the heart of TNOC Festival 2026 — ensuring its roots in Colombia grow into a legacy for people and nature alike.