Workshop:
Collaboration in European UNESCO Biosphere Reserves
4th November - 7th November 2025
Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, City Campus
Schicklerstrasse 5, 16225 Eberswalde
The main goal of this workshop is to exchange good practices related to collaboration in biosphere reserves, such as collaborations with researchers, collaborations within MAB networks and with other biosphere reserves' stakeholders
- Advance the understanding of how collaboration takes place in European biosphere reserves
- Link practitioners and researchers to facilitate collective learning through the exchange of good practices
© Ana Filipa Ferreira
Context
In their function as learning laboratories for sustainable development UNESCO biosphere reserves serve as platforms that enable collaboration between different stakeholder groups. However, different collaboration challenges have been frequently identified, which ultimately impact the effective management and governance of BRs. The Eberswalde Declaration highlights the need to strengthen collaboration between research and practice, as a mean to boost innovative sustainability research and partnerships. At the workshop “Research in European UNESCO Biosphere Reserves”, lack of collaboration between managers, practitioners and researchers was identified as a major factor hindering progress in biosphere reserves.
This workshop aims to advance discussions and learnings on this crucial topic for biosphere reserves. Discussions on collaboration between biosphere reserves and researchers, within MAB Regional and Thematic Networks and other types of collaboration, including a visit to a collaboration project in a biosphere reserve, are expected.
Profile of Participants
• European biosphere reserve practitioners and researchers
• Working knowledge of English
• Contribution to group discussions
• Optional: Presentation of a collaboration case
Application
If you wish to present a collaboration case, please also hand in an abstract (max. half page) for a max. 10 minutes presentation. Please indicate to which session (1-3) you relate.
The location
Eberswalde
This workshop will take place in Eberswalde, a small university town surrounded by forests in 30 minutes train distance to Berlin. Sessions take place at the University for Sustainable Development city campus. Accommodation can be found in hotels and apartments close to the centre. We will provide you with a list of places where we have reserved optional accommodation for you.
We will have a day visit to the Biosphere Reserve Spreewald. Today, the Spreewald is a water meadow landscape that bears the mark of human activity yet remains largely near-natural, making it a habitat for a diverse range of animal and plant species. Species that are under threat or already extinct elsewhere find a safe haven here. The Spreewald was declared a biosphere reserve in 1990 to protect and preserve this landscape and was given UNESCO status in 1991.
Preliminary Programme Overview
| Date and Time | 4th of November | 5th of November | 6th of November | 7th of November |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Arriving | Session 1 | Excursion Spreewald BR | Session 3 / Closing |
| Afternoon | Registration and Welcome Reception | Session 2 | Excursion Spreewald BR | Departure |
| Evening | Joint dinner (optional) | Intercultural Celebration | Berlin (optional) |
Sessions and Moderators
Welcome Reception (Dr. Ana Filipa Ferreira)
Session 1: Collaboration with researchers – Transdisciplinary (TD) Research (Prof. Dr. Heike Walk)
Session 2: Collaboration – Open Floor (tbd)
Session 3: Collaboration within MAB Regional and Thematic Networks (tbd)
Excursion: Spreewald Biosphere Reserve (Dr. Nico Heitepriem and Prof. Dr. Erik Aschenbrand)
Closing (Prof. Dr. Carsten Mann)
*Some things in the programme might still change
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is there a participation fee?
Participating in the workshop is free of charge.
2. Can the accommodation, food and travelling be financed?
Limited funds are available to support a small number of participants from Eastern Europe, Southern Europe or Youth regarding travel, accommodation, and food. In case you would like to apply to finance support, please select the options in the registration form. We will notify you if you are selected.
3. How do I arrive at Eberswalde?
We recommend you take the regional express train (RE3) from Berlin Main Station or Berlin Gesundbrunnen, it takes 30-35 minutes to reach Eberswalde station, and then you can either take buses or walk 15 minutes to our city campus (Address: Schicklerstraße 5, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany), where the workshop will take place.
In case it is necessary to take a plane, the most convenient airport is Berlin-Brandenburg. From there you can take the FEX airport express train to Berlin Gesundbrunnen and after that follow the route above.
Do not hesitate to contact us with further questions.
Organising Team
Dr. Ana Filipa Ferreira
Project Director, BRI
Charlotte Griestop
Project Manager, BRI
Maria Kleegrewe
Student Assistant, BRI
With support of
Prof. Dr. Carsten Mann
Academic Director, BRI
Linda Eich
Federal Agency for Nature Conversation
Contact & Further Information
Questions or seeking further information?
Contact Charlotte Griestop (project management) via email at BRI@hnee.de
Support and Funding
This workshop is supported by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) with funds from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV).
