Transformation: Wild Carpathians Worth Protecting

Nowhere in Europe is nature untouched. ‘But in the Carpathians, we can still find ecosystems that function very well, some with large carnivores such as bears or wolves, as well as a high diversity of insects and an impressive bird life,’ says Senan Gardiner. The educational scientist coordinates the transdisciplinary and transformative project ProBioTIC: students of environmental sciences at Leuphana develop learning interventions for young researchers in the Carpathians: ‘In the region between Ukraine and Slovakia, numerous research projects are addressing the value of biodiversity. The young scientists there often have a strong disciplinary focus and usually do not manage to engage with policymakers or the public,’ reports Professor Dr Daniel Fischer, Professor of Sustainable Development and General Studies and project manager.

As a result, the dramatic consequences of biodiversity loss are only discussed within the specialist disciplines. Conversely, critical questions from the population remain unanswered: ‘Nature conservation and economic interests do not always go hand in hand,’ explains Senan Gardiner.

This is where the learning interventions come into play: they are designed to create understanding and raise awareness of the high value of biodiversity. They are given to the young researchers in the Carpathians to make it easier for them to engage with the local population and politicians. Students develop formats during a transdisciplinary module taught to bachelor's and master's students at the universities of Lüneburg and Krakow. ‘These could be campaigns for the coexistence of bears and humans, the touristic value of biodiversity or sustainable food consumption.’

The background to this is the Carpathian Convention, a transboundary agreement for the protection of the most biodiverse region in Europe. In addition to environmental protection and the sustainable use of landscape and biological diversity, the objectives of the Carpathian Convention include the implementation of programmes to promote awareness and knowledge of ecological interrelations among the population.

The project seeks to solve this problem by training young biodiversity experts from the Carpathian countries to pass on their expertise to stakeholders from civil society and politics using transdisciplinary ESD methods. The activities also include two summer academies for young researchers. The results of these activities will be used to develop policy recommendations to support the promotion of sustainable activities and thus biodiversity in the region in the long term.