ProBioTIC | Promoting Biodiversity through Transdisciplinary Learning Interventions in the Carpathians

The ProBioTIC project connects students and communities to co-design biodiversity solutions in the Carpathians.

Status

Ongoing

Duration

06/2024–12/2026

Funding

Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU)

Role of the Chair

Project lead, Leuphana University Lüneburg

Region

Carpathians

What is it about?

The Carpathian region is of great economic, ecological and cultural importance. The seven countries involved have signed the Carpathian Convention, a regional agreement to promote cooperation in the protection and sustainable development of the Carpathian Mountains. The Convention cites Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as the key to sustainable development and the preservation of the region's biodiversity. Yet stakeholders across levels and sectors still lack an understanding of the concept and methodology of ESD and transdisciplinary learning. How can learning interventions be designed that close this gap and draw on the knowledge of the region itself?

Goals

• Design learning interventions together with sustainability researchers and local stakeholders
• Integrate traditional knowledge and sustainable consumption practices
• Co-create community-led, context-specific interventions that promote biodiversity and sustainable consumption

Approach

Central to the project is a transdisciplinary module co-developed by Leuphana University Lüneburg and Jagiellonian University in Kraków. In this module, students work with stakeholders from the Carpathian region on learning interventions, including campaigns on human-wildlife coexistence, on the benefits of biodiversity for tourism and on sustainable food practices.

Partners

• Human-Environmental Systems Research Centre, Faculty of Geography and Geology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
• HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, Vácrátót, Hungary
• Dr. Tamara MitrofanenkoCarpathian Convention Senior Expert

Contact

Daniel FischerLeadLina BürgenerCoordinatorSenan GardinerCoordinatorMariia StatkovaTeam member

Questions or interested in contributing? Contact the project coordinator, Lina Bürgener.

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