Communities for Biodiversity

Empower rural communities to become agents of change in the protection and enhancement of biodiversity within their local areas, in response to the accelerating climate crisis and biodiversity loss resulting from human activity.

The Loss

of biodiversity is alarming. Numerous scientific studies and international reports warn that we are witnessing the sixth mass extinction (…). In addition to public policy, education and, in particular, communication must become increasingly effective and sustained in order to encourage behavioural change and social action.

Maria Amélia Martins-Loução, Riscos Globais e Biodiversidade, FFMS, 2021

Who will benefit?
( the territory )

Direct participants

Adults from local communities in the four project areas
Associations, businesses, local policy-makers
Farmers and ecotourism operators
Research and science promotion institutions working on biodiversity in the project areas
Teams from partner organisations

Indirect participants

Trainers and teachers in adult education, adult education providers, partner institutions and other institutions, local authorities, associations and members of the public
Environmental and ecological institutions and organisations, environmental managers, experts and professionals in the fields of biodiversity, sustainability and nature conservation, universities
Policy-makers and regional bodies

Protecting biodiversity,
strengthening local communities

In light of the accelerating climate crisis and biodiversity loss, the BioUP project promotes the enhancement of natural capital and the involvement of local communities in nature conservation. By integrating education, science, communication and sustainable development, the initiative brings together regions in Portugal, Italy, Spain and Latvia to strengthen environmental resilience, generate sustainable economic benefits and empower citizens to become active agents of change.

BioUP is taking place in four European areas of great importance but also very vulnerable from the point of view of biodiversity conservation

Moura

Municipality in Portugal – Natura 2000 site – Moura/Mourão/Barrancos Special Protection Area

Monferrato

Sub-region in Italy – UNESCO Cultural Heritage site

Ibiza

Island in Spain – UNESCO World Heritage Site (Culture and Biodiversity)

Vidzeme

Northern region in Latvia – Biosphere Reserve